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The British Council is promoting science and technology in Sub-Saharan Africa and has initiated Africa Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (AKTP) to build the capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEI), to make their research work more relevant to industry needs.
AKTP would help businesses improve their competitiveness or productivity through knowledge, technology and skills available from Higher Education Institutions.
A partnership is a relationship formed between a company and an academic institution (“Knowledge Base”) facilitating the transfer of knowledge, technology and skills which the company partner currently has no access.
Projects are supposed to could cover a wide area of science and technology.
Proposals that cover these areas will be considered as long as candidates can demonstrate that technology would be transferred from the HEI and embedded into the business; and the company is financially fit to participate in the project for a minimum of 2 years.
The guiding principle will be to demonstrate a fundamental commitment to the transfer of knowledge from HEI to industry and a strong achievable project with realistic outcomes.
- Identifies the desired strategic outcomes
- Employs the Associate for 2 years
- Contributes to cost of Associate employment
- Negotiates intellectual property agreement
- Supervises the Associate’s access to knowledge base
- Provides access to knowledge base
- Links with UK knowledge base
- Agrees intellectual property with company
- Recent graduate with appropriate training
- Works from within the company
- Delivers the project, embeds knowledge
- Links with Nigerian and UK knowledge base through Nigerian Knowledge
- Base supervisor
•Works with Nigerian HE sector to help companies network with potential Knowledge Base partners
- Coordinates overall AKTP project
- Approves proposals (initially, then through AKTP Board)
- During pilot, funds balance of AKTP (company also contributes)
- Facilitates access to UK Knowledge Base, UK Associates
- Provides UK KTP adviser
- Provides training for Nigerian Associates
- Develops and issues guidelines
- Will be recruited locally by British Council
- Promotes AKTP to potential partners
- Helps Partners clarify objectives
- Supports partnership proposal formulation
- Supports the Associate, Knowledge Base Supervisor and company in maximising benefit
- Links to UK KTP adviser
- Generally ensures AKTP runs smoothly
- Reports on progress
Each partnership must expect to deliver the following outcomes
- Businesses acquire new knowledge and expertise for wealth creation
- AKTP Associates gain business-based experience and personal development opportunities
- HEIs bring their experience to enhance the business relevance of their research and teaching- curriculum development relevant to the economy
Higher education institutions and companies/industries in Nigeria are eligible to apply. A broad definition of higher education institutions has been adopted- it includes universities and polytechnics.
Partners must ensure that the initiative is driven by company/industry needs.
We aim to assist institutions and companies in finding a partner, however, if a company or institution have had a previous relationship and the university has the capability to deliver the project their proposals would be considered.
Download the summary proposal form.
If you would like any further information, please refer to the AKTP website. Alternatively you can contact the British Council through the following email addresses:
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