News Archive

TCS programme is best in the country – University of Reading

A Teaching Company Scheme (TCS) programme between the University of Reading and Berkshire-based company Softel Ltd scooped the top national prize at the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards Event on Tuesday 9 December. TCS programmes – now known as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships – aim to improve the competitiveness of the company partner, enhance the career of the graduate and increase the business relevance of the University. The Reading project, which established a successful partnership between the University's School of Systems Engineering and Softel, was named 'Best TCS Programme' at the awards ceremony in London. The programme, supervised by Dr Rachel McCrindle in the School of Systems Engineering, beat off stiff competition from six other projects judged to be the very best of more than 450 that were completed in the UK last year. Softel's partnership with the University enabled them to achieve a vital strategic shift. The Pangbourne-based company produces teletext and subtitles and innovative new products, such as the development of a transmission unit and authoring workstation for synchronized interactive television applications – the first of its kind in the world. As part of the programme, Reading BSc graduate David Symons undertook a two-year project with the company, which included working on the enhancement of an existing product – the Mediasphere interactive playout server. The product has now been installed in the BBC, ITV, Telewest and other major broadcasters across the globe. After completing his project, David Symons was employed by the company as a Research Engineer. Kate Darby, Manager of Reading's Knowledge Transfer Partnership & TCS Centre, said: 'Everyone involved with the TCS programme, both at the University and at Softel, is delighted with this fantastic achievement. It pays tribute to the hard work many people have put in to making our Knowledge Transfer Partnership & TCS Centre one of the best in the country. 'The scheme is one of those rare Government schemes that answers a real need in the country and provides real benefits to all involved: the company, the supervising academic and University, as well as the graduate.' The University's Knowledge Transfer Partnership & TCS Centre is one of the most successful in the country, with 41 programmes helping small and medium-sized companies access knowledge and skills within the University. End The following people are available for interview: -Dr Rachel McCrindle, Programme Supervisor -Mr Russ Wood, Softel -Ms Kate Darby, Manager of Reading Knowledge Transfer Partnership & TCS Centre -Mr David Symons, Programme Associate For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact Craig Hillsley, Press Officer, University of Reading. Tel: 0118 378 8005 E-mail: c.hillsley@reading.ac.uk Notes for editors: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships was launched earlier this year as one of a small number of new business support products to be established following DTI's review of its support for business. It is, essentially, an enhanced version of the long running, and highly successful, Teaching Company Scheme (TCS). Like TCS, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is led by DTI but also receives funding from the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, Invest Northern Ireland, DEFRA, DoH and five of the UK's Research Councils. Total Government expenditure on TCS in 2002/03 was approximately £25M, of which about £18M was by DTI. Every Knowledge Transfer Partnership (and TCS Programme) involves a business (90% of which are SMEs) working with a Knowledge Base Partner, typically but not necessarily a university. They draw on academic expertise in order to make a step change in some aspect of the company's business. At least one talented graduate is recruited by the two partners to work in the company as the Associate(s) responsible for managing the agreed project and implementing the necessary changes with the benefit of oversight by Supervisors from both partners. The Government offers a grant to the Knowledge Base Partner and this is complemented by funding from the Company Partner, whilst personal professional and management development opportunities are provided to the Associates in order to enhance their prospects of a successful career in business. Almost 70% of the 267 graduates who completed their projects in 2002/03 were offered permanent positions with their host company. The most successful partnerships also produce significant financial benefits for the company and the Knowledge Base benefits in many ways from the exposure to current business issues. A copy of a brochure covering the TCS Awards 2002 is available as a PDF at www.tcsonline.org.uk, whilst more information about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is at www.ktponline.org.uk. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (and TCS) is managed under contract to DTI by Technology Transfer and Innovation Ltd.