A pioneering outreach programme at the University of Strathclyde has been named a winner in the UK-wide Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2014.
The Engage With Strathclyde programme won in the Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year category of the awards, which were announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London.
The project, which is now in its third year, offers academic staff at Strathclyde opportunities to establish new partnerships and enhance existing collaborations. It culminates in a week of events, which brings more than 1,000 delegates from hundreds of organisations - representing business, the public and the third sector - to the University.
This year's Engage programme led to the initiation of joint projects, such as studentships and research collaborations, as well as collaborative research projects, training programmes and consultancy assignments.
The first Engage With Strathclyde events were held in 2012, prompted by the aims of broadening the range of staff involved in knowledge exchange, strengthening existing relationships and identifying new audiences and partnerships. These are enshrined in the University's strategy goal of having 'exemplary knowledge exchange and impact'.
The University provides an innovative supporting infrastructure comprising event and programme management, through a small team of staff, enabling academics to focus on engaging with target audiences. The project team is innovative in the way it manages resources, including budget, and relationships with suppliers to maximise contributions.
The success follows three consecutive wins for Strathclyde in the separate Times Higher Education awards; Entrepreneurial University of the Year in 2013; University of the Year in 2012 and Research Project of the Year in 2011.