- More than 250 professionals gathered at Aston University to celebrate Knowledge Transfer Partnership successes as part of the annual event
- Four KTP projects received awards in recognition of their collaborations and innovative achievements
- Aston is an award-winning provider of KTPs, an Innovate UK scheme which reached its 50th anniversary this year.
Aston University celebrated the success of its Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects with industry partners and project associates during its showcase and awards on 19 June 2025, marking the scheme’s 50th anniversary year.
Attended by more than 250 professionals, including senior representatives from across industry, Innovate UK, Aston University and other strategic stakeholders, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the projects, the University’s growing KTP portfolio and the research excellence demonstrated by these collaborations.
Cllr Sharon Thompson, deputy mayor of the West Midlands, highlighted the benefits of the strong partnerships that KTPs create across the region, delivering tangible benefits, sustainable outputs, and growth. She recognised the talented people who deliver real impact to the region and beyond.
Richard Lamb, programme manager for KTPs, Innovate UK, highlighted the important role the partnerships play within the UK’s innovation ecosystem and recognised Aston as one of the first three institutions to take part. Also speaking at the event was Rob Valentine, regional executive director, Bruntwood SciTech.
Four KTP projects received awards at the 2025 event. The Management KTP winner was Enobong Udondian, working at Ashley Community & Housing. The African Agriculture KTP winner was Paxwell Adjei working with Sayetech Company and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. The Classic KTP Early-Stage project winner was Wuxia Zhang working at Colemans Group. The Classic KTP Established Project winner was Ainul Izaharuddin working at Mechatherm International.
Bringing together the worlds of research and business, a KTP is a collaboration between a business, an academic partner and a highly qualified researcher, called an associate. The UK-wide programme helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills.
Aston University is an award-winning and sector leading provider of KTPs, continuing to build on this mission as part of its ambitious 2030 Strategy. The University was recently shortlisted for Innovate UK’s Knowledge Base Support Team of the Year Award 2025.
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, who also spoke at the event and presented the awards, said:
“Aston’s KTP successes are the result of bold thinkers, ambitious businesses, and researchers coming together to create real-world impact. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, we are not only driving innovation but also fostering economic growth and societal benefit. I am proud of the collaborative spirit demonstrated by our partners and associates, and of the growing recognition Aston has earned as a national leader in the KTP programme.”
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About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media enquiries in relation to this release, contact Loretta Milan, Head of Communications, on (+44) 7773 773959 or email: l.milan@aston.ac.uk