DISTINCTIVE APPROACH
Partnering for progress and innovation:
how we are developing innovation-ready talent and driving sustainable growth
Partnership is powerful. When industry and academia work in tandem to push the frontiers of knowledge, they become an integrated engine for innovation and economic growth.
At Heriot-Watt our partnerships strengthen the impact we make on the world. Diverse and multifaceted, they span talent development, enterprising research and commercialisation. “These relationships offer profound benefits to the University, and to those we partner with,” explains Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal of Business and Enterprise. “From strategic alliances with global leaders to collaborations with start-ups and spinout ventures, our partnerships enhance our ability to address global challenges, forge future talent, and create positive economic impact through innovation and impactful research.”
Here, we highlight partnerships creating the next generation of talent through Centres for Doctoral Training, supporting economic growth through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, addressing crucial skills gaps through Graduate Apprenticeships and the impact of the University’s Global Innovation Challenge.
These relationships offer profound benefits to the University and to those we partner with.”
Professor Gillian Murray
Training a new generation of talent in critical technologies
Globally, there is a pressing demand for doctoral-level graduates primed to address the world’s most pressing concerns. Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) are proving to be a highly successful model for attracting the brightest minds and industry support. In the past year, Heriot-Watt has been involved in the creation of six new CDTs. “Our integrated approach to business and enterprise partnership working is key to this success,” comments Professor Murray, “with more than 170 unique industry organisations agreeing to support the CDTs and fully funded studentships.”
Heriot-Watt will lead the development of the next generation of researchers, specialists and experts in net-zero industries through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Green Industrial Futures. In collaboration with three other leading institutions in industrial decarbonisation – Imperial College London and the Universities of Bath and Sheffield – the partners will deliver a cohort of 100 PhD graduates trained in environmental sustainability and the transition to clean energy.
The University will also lead the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Use-Inspired Photonic Sensing and Metrology. Using light to create highly advanced detection and measurement tools, photonic sensing and metrology is vital to addressing challenges in sectors including transport, energy, manufacturing, medicine, food production and security. A collaboration with six other universities, the centre represents a continuation of Heriot-Watt’s on-going expert doctoral training in photonics, making it one of the UK’s longest-running doctoral centres.
In addition, Heriot-Watt will co-lead the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Algebra, Geometry and Quantum Fields CDT, which is the UK’s first centre to offer specific training in these subjects. It will also be a key partner in the EPSRC and MOD CDT in Sensing, Processing, and AI for Defence and Security, the EPSRC CDT in Quantum Informatics, and the EPSRC CDT in Applied Quantum Technologies.
Our integrated approach to business and enterprise partnership working is key to this success.”
Professor Gillian Murray
Dr Fiona Fleming optically aligning a quantum sensing system.
Photonic sensing is vital to addressing global challenges.
Leveraging knowledge and technical expertise to support commercial growth
It was incredibly useful in terms of our learning, our research, and adapting our approach to whisky production.”
Ian Stirling
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) provide a route for business and industry to access a wealth of expertise and for the University to translate cutting-edge research into commercial success. Our KTPs help to facilitate the development of new manufacturing processes, innovative devices, or transformative business practices, and can foster innovation and growth within traditional industries.
Ian Stirling, Founder and Co-CEO of Muckle Brig, the company behind the pioneering Port of Leith distillery, is unequivocal about the role its partnership with Heriot-Watt has played in the company’s success. “The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) delivered the research we needed to create a sustainable and differentiated business model within the Scotch Malt Whisky sector,” he commented. “Through the KTP we were able to recruit research associate Victoria Muir-Taylor who investigated new yeast strains that could be used to produce an exceptional ‘new make’ spirit.” Over the course of three years, Victoria undertook painstaking work of repeated fermentations and distillations trials with 24 yeast strains, none of which – as far as the team were aware – had been used in whisky production before. Three yeast strains were chosen to move forward into production, and two of these were employed in commercial trials and used to produce Port of Leith’s inaugural releases.
“It was incredibly useful for us – in terms of our learning, our research, and adapting our approach to whisky production,” comments Ian. Heriot-Watt alum, Vaibhav Sood, is Head of Whisky Operations at Port of Leith Distillery: “Joining the Scotch whisky industry was always a dream of mine,” he comments. “It’s a privilege to be leading the team working to bring into being our new world-class single malt. Based in an iconic vertical distillery in an iconic location, we are immersing ourselves in a distillation journey that will deliver an iconic product that matches our distinctive presence in Edinburgh.”
Could a Knowledge Transfer Partnership support your business?’
Contact GRID@hw.ac.uk
Victoria Muir-Taylor worked for Muckle Brig investigating yeast strains.
Alum, Vaibhav Sood, is Head of Whisky Operations at Port of Leith Distillery.
Driving economic growth and addressing the skills gap
Scottish Graduate Apprentice of the Year (2023), Fatima Asif, embarked on a Heriot-Watt graduate apprenticeship to study Engineering in Design and Manufacture while working as a Continuous Improvement Engineer with complex manufacturer Plexus. “This programme has shaped my future in a way nothing else could have,” she comments. Fatima’s technical learning led to her deployment of a new way of recording process improvement opportunities, resulting in annual six-figure savings for Plexus. “Through this programme we develop young engineers in a way that matches our business needs,” explains Gail Traynor, Learning and Development Manager at Plexus. “By the time they are qualified, we have a competent engineer that understands our culture and values as well as having the technical skills we require.”
As a pioneers of Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs), Heriot-Watt is supporting business and industry to further develop their workforce, attract new talent and retain key staff. “Our employer partners range from SMEs to large multinational organisations,” explains Professor Murray. “GAs play a critical role in driving economic growth, increasing productivity, and addressing skills shortages, and for the individuals who take them up, they can be career and life changing.”
Rob Glover, a Sales and Performance Analyst at global investment company abrdn, was an experienced member of staff, but keen to develop further he undertook a Data Science Graduate Apprenticeship. “It seemed like an incredible opportunity where I could maintain my existing role and study at university to work towards a BSc (Hons) degree as a Data Scientist,” Rob explains. “It was an excellent match for my interests and an investment in my future.”
Teresa van Rooyen is Director of Quality Assurance at Cashfac, a global provider of cash management software. Seeking a route to ongoing professional growth, she enrolled on the Business Management for Financial Services Graduate Apprenticeship. “I found it intellectually challenging and personally rewarding,” Teresa commented. “While exploring new ideas, the knowledge and skills I gained were truly invaluable. The comprehensive perspective it gave me has real application in my work.”
The University’s latest partnership is with J.P. Morgan, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. “This partnership will directly answer an urgent need for talent in Scotland's financial services sector,” commented Lynne Lockier, EMEA Emerging Talent Vice President at J.P. Morgan. “These new Graduate Apprenticeships onto our Business Management for Financial Services programme will contribute significantly to mitigating the skills gap and offer a direct pathway for students into highly skilled and in-demand roles,” added Professor Murray.
Would you like to partner with us to support Graduate Apprenticeships?
Contact GA@hw.ac.uk or visit our website
This programme has shaped my future in a way nothing else could have.”
Fatima Asif
Scottish Graduate Apprentice of the Year 2023 Fatima Asif.
Heriot-Watt's Graduate Apprenticeships Recruitment Fair.
Inspiring student and academic-led businesses to deliver global innovation
By connecting creative minds across the globe, we are transforming our international reach into an engine for innovation, tackling some of societies biggest challenges and effecting positive change across multiple sectors.”
Danielle Moran
“Our Global Innovation Challenge is a fantastic demonstration of the power of partnerships and collaboration in driving impactful innovation,” explains Professor Murray. “Supported by Santander, and match-funded by the Robert M. Buchan Early Stage Business Fund, it demonstrates the enormous breadth of entrepreneurial talent among Heriot-Watt students, staff, and alumni.”
The competition recognises student and academic-led businesses and prototypes that look to address some of the world’s biggest issues, including sustainability and waste reduction. Last year’s winners included Tayab Smooro, founder of Pathoscan which won the Best Overall Award. The company, based in Canada, aims to revolutionise crop disease management with portable, rapid and accurate in-field testing devices, reducing farmers’ dependency on traditional, lab-based diagnostics.
Aspen Philips, co-founder of Thrift UP, won the Proof-Of-Concept Development award. Thrift Up is a virtual fitting room that aims to reduce the number of returns resulting from online shopping, helping to improve sustainability in the clothing industry. Returns make a significant impact on the environment; many retailers pass them directly to landfill because it’s more cost-effective than reselling, and the extra shipping and packaging involved further increases waste and emissions.
“Previous participants of The Global Innovation Challenge have gone on to win key industry awards, such as Rosie Bristow of Fantasy Fibre Mill, a winner at the 2023 Converge awards,” comments Danielle Moran, Enterprise Manager at Heriot-Watt. “By connecting creative minds across the globe, we are transforming our international reach into an engine for innovation, tackling some of societies biggest challenges and effecting positive change across multiple sectors.”
Read more about our enterprising alumni in the Driving Positive Change article.
Partner with us for progress and innovation
Our Global Research Innovation and Discovery ecosystem (GRID) is our dedicated gateway to accessing a wealth of innovative solutions tailored to foster business growth and competitiveness.
To find out more, please contact GRID@hw.ac.uk or visit our website
