Birkbeck working with business and the community

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Birkbeck working with business and the community

• Helen Lawrence
• Head of Business Relations
• h.lawrence_at_bbk.ac.uk

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Reasons for undertaking knowledge transfer

• As part of the universitys civic and social
  responsibility
• For academic reasons
• To generate income

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Part of the universitys civic and social
responsibility

• Finding volunteers to work in charities
• Finding work placements for students
• Offering advice to start-up businesses

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Activities with academic benefits

• Consultancy
• Collaborative research
• Business-sponsored PhD studentships

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Activities which generate income

• Licensing intellectual property (IP)
• Offering specialist testing services
• Offering bespoke training courses

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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HEROBC

• Funding to help institutions develop their
  strategic aims for interaction with business and
  the community
• Birkbecks aim to develop CPD opportunities
• 2000 established an Employer Advice and
  Guidance Centre

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Knowledge transfer and business development 2000
www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Knowledge transfer and business development 2001
www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Potential for development

• Need to offer a one stop shop
• Need to offer more solutions
• Need to co-ordinate existing links with business
• Need to develop sustainable roles
• Potential to generate more income

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Development of the Business Relations Unit

• First point of contact for external organisations
• Point of support for units in College making
  links with external organisations
• Hub for co-ordinating activities by different
  units in College

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Structure of BRU
www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Knowledge transfer and business development 2004
www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Extending BRU remit

• Sponsored students
• Bespoke training
• CASE studentships/collaborative awards
• Consultancy and applied research
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Testing services
• Non-research bids and tenders

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Key achievements

• Fees policy
• B2B tailored promotional materials
• Training needs in key sectors in London
• CPD requirements of professional bodies
• Presentations to staff
• CRM system

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Increased sponsored study

• 734 sponsored students in 2003/2004
• Fee income of 968k
• Mainly studying Computer Science, Economics, Law,
  Management, Organizational Psychology and
  Psychology
• Sponsored at all levels from short courses
  through to PhD

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Barriers to knowledge transfer

• Remit not clearly defined
• Organisational structure
• Staff on contracts
• Incentive for academics

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London
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Best practice for success

• Internal communications
• Link with research
• External focus

www.business.bbk.ac.uk
Birkbeck University of London