Applied Knowledge Exchange

In this video produced by Universities Scotland, university graduates as well as prominent voices from business and society such as Jim McColl, Peter Lederer and Heather Reid talk about how they have already worked with universities to achieve their diverse ambitions whether it is improving the competitiveness of their business or inspiring the next generation of school children to become excited about science.

Take a look at: http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/index.php?page=our-contribution

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Applied Knowledge Exchange attended this week’s Offshore Europe conference in Aberdeen, meeting with partners including FMC Technologies and networking with the industry.

During a first day session analysing the Operating Models for the Future, panelists including Oil and Gas UK Chief Executive Malcolm Webb said there were potentially large untapped ‘unconventional’ oil and gas reserves which required investment from the industry and a skilled, international supply chain.

Bob Keiller, CEO of Wood Group PSN, detailed the pros and cons of contracting out operations. He insisted it was important to be an ‘informed buyer’, keeping a close eye on contractor relationships through effective project management.

Global oil and gas solutions provider FMC Technologies is working with GCU to deliver a pioneering five-year research and development collaboration within the subsea oil and gas industry which includes KTPs, PhD studentships and research and development projects to identify new opportunities for safe and efficient oil recovery and to enhance reliability and integrity in the monitoring of subsea installations.

In tough times, businesses and public sector organisations should take a more collaborative approach to working – that was the theme running through the Scottish Enterprise networking event this week in Glasgow.

Keynote speaker Raymond O’Hare, Chairman of the Institute of Directors in Scotland, told delegates people can be sceptical when they hear the word ‘collaboration’ but that it was a ‘practical necessity’ for business survival.

He outlined 5 types of collaboration: Corporate Business Partner Programmes; Small Organisations Learning from Large; Informal Collaboration Agreements; Formal Collaboration Agreements; and Influencer Collaboration.

Other speakers included Virginia Sumsion, marketing manager at Loch Fyne Oysters, who spoke about her Argyll food producers co-operative which sells food and drink products at events under the Food from Argyll banner.

For more information on collaborating with Glasgow Caledonian University, go to www.gcu.ac.uk/business

Sustainable Food & Drink, a free and innovative programme that helps Scottish food and drink companies increase their competitiveness through better environmental performance, ran a webinar analysing how supermarkets were tackling climate change.

The Sustainable Food & Drink team, based at Glasgow Caledonian University’s Caledonian Environment Centre, focused on the supermarkets’ key green areas: operational improvement; supply chain initiatives; and helping their clients to lower carbon footprints.

Paulo Cruz and the rest of the team looked at the supermarkets’ recycling and energy targets, using case studies and data.

For the full presentation, click here

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Caledonian Academy today hosted a Technology Enhanced Professional Learning event featuring Dr Julie Clow from Google.

Dr Clow, Learning and Organisational Development Manager of Google San Fransisco, revealed her model for developing early-career Google staff through the myriad of online tools available.

While traditional models of e-learning can be uninspiring, asking professional learners to input answers to assessments, Google has opted for a self-paced, creative, interactive model using YouTube, Google Moderator, Google Forms, Spreadsheets, Email and more to encourage leadership and teamwork development.

GCU will be at the SETN annual conference at the University of Strathclyde on 29th June.

The event includes an exhibition and workshops, giving businesses in the Environmental and Clean Technologies sector advice on a range of issues including funding, business development, carbon reduction, intellectual property and regulation.

Speakers include Nigel Holmes, CEO at Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA), John Ferguson, Head of Strategy at Binn Eco Park and Peter Higgins, Founder and CEO at UWI Technology.

Find out more about GCU’s work in the built and natural environment and more about the event at www.setn.org.uk

Running from 1st-18th June 2011, the Glasgow Science Festival will tackle a wide range of exciting scientific topics for school children. Events at Glasgow Caledonian University include:

A Look at Optometrists
 Mon 6th, Fri 10th, Mon 13th and Tue 14th June, 10-12pm
0141 330 5370

Forensic Investigation
Tue 7th and Wed 8th June, 10-12pm
0141 330 5370

Human Body In Action
Tue 7th, Wed 8th, Thurs 9th, Tue 14th, Wed 15th and Thurs 16th June, 10-11:30am
0141 330 5370

A Lot of Hot Air
Wed 15th June, 10-11am
0141 330 5370

A collective showcase of creative work from Glasgow Caledonian University will be available to view from 1st to 5th June 2011 on campus.

There will be private viewing of the Caledonian Creates 2011 exhibition on Wednesday 1st June 6pm-8.30pm in the Saltire Centre in the heart of Glasgow city centre.

Caledonian Creates is the new face of creativity at Glasgow Caledonian University. It brings together the collective talents of staff and students from a breadth of academic and business backgrounds, offering a holistic approach to research, consultancy and teaching in creative industries’ subject areas.

We are inspirational in addressing design, multimedia, technology, marketing, communication, fashion and interior architecture needs. Innovative thinking combined with an entrepreneurial approach gives clients the confidence to connect with Caledonian Creates.

Need a product researched? Come to the marketing team. Got an idea but want to bounce it off someone else first? Get multimedia technology to manipulate your suggestions into the most appropriate medium. Got an object ready to roll but haven’t got the time to devote to it? Why not consult with product design and put together prototypes. Caledonian Creates can do these things for you.

The Institute of Knowledge Transfer (IKT) Regional Networking Event ‘Internationalisation of Knowledge Transfer’ is being hosted by Mark Anderson, Glasgow Caledonian University’s Head of European Programmes.

Taking place at Glasgow’s Corinthian Club at 6pm on the 5th May 2011, the event will include a talk from Isabell Majewsky from Go Group and a chance to network over refreshments and a buffet.

GCU has several EU projects underway in sectors including engineering, sustainability and innovation, and can help businesses network within the European community and access EU funding.

The Go Group is one of Scotland’s leading business support organisations, focusing on how to start-up and grow companies by encouraging innovation and developing people and skills.

To register for this free Glasgow networking event, click on  http://iktglasgownetworking.eventbrite.com

Over 60 companies and other organisations attended Glasgow Caledonian University’s first ‘Food for Thought’ event this week.

Our keynote speakers, Marks and Spencer’s Head of Sustainable Business Mike Barry, and Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive Paul McLaughlin, gave a great introduction to the day. Delegates spent an afternoon networking with GCU experts in food sciences, sustainability, tourism, design and consumer behaviour and marketing.

For more on our food expertise, go to http://www.gcu.ac.uk/business/problemsolving/foodforthought/

Looking forward to planning our next event!!