Applied Knowledge Exchange

Some of Glasgow Caledonian University’s areas of expertise feature in a new Business Insider Special Report  on Knowledge Exchange.

We have highlighted the CIC Start Online project, our High Voltage Engineering team, some of our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and our Work-Based Learning Academies.

For the full supplement, please click here.

A new green scheme that recycles food waste has been launched.

The Commercial Food Waste Collection Service, run by Keenan Recycling, creates BSI accredited compost from items such as leftover food, coffee grounds, cups and paper towels collected from businesses and restaurants in the North East.

First Minister Alex Salmond officially lanched the scheme. The Scottish Government published its Zero Waste Plan last month. It sets out key actions and new targets to tackle the near 20 million tonnes of waste produced in Scotland every year.

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Caledonian Environment Centre is a unique team of professionals with expertise in waste resource management, carbon management, environmental sustainability and bioenergy.

One of the most distinguished and recognised environmental organisations in Scotland, Caledonian Environment
Centre has strong links with Scottish Government, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities,
WRAP, Zero Waste Scotland, and Scotland’s economic development agencies.

Find out how the Caledonian Environment Centre could help your business along the path to a ’Zero Waste Scotland’ by calling the Applied Knowledge Exchange on 0141 331 3189.

Technology Transfer Opportunity Mechanism (TTOM) Awards have been set up to enable Scottish SMEs to transfer technology from Scotland’s Universities, and are now open for applications. The closing date is 27th August.

Grants of up to £5000 are available to tackle problems relevant to the SME, paid at a maximum rate of 75%, with the remaining 25% being cash or in-kind contributions from the client company.

Support in finding appropriate academic expertise can be provided by Interface.

TTOM encompasses emerging technologies in sectors such as Energy, Life Science, Digital Media, Enabling Technologies (including optoelectronics, electronics, microelectronics and software) and Sustainable Transport.

For more information, contact the Applied Knowledge Exchange, or vist the TTOM website.

Sir Alex Ferguson returned to Glasgow Caledonian University this week.

The Manchester United manager, who received an Honorary Doctor of Letters in 2001, held a masterclass on campus, met parents and children from the award winning Caledonian Club and talked tactics with the University’s football teams during the visit.

Read more at www.gcal.ac.uk

Human Resources magazine has featured an article on our new HR Management top-up MSc.  Get in touch with the Applied Knowledge Exchange for more information on 0141 331 3189.

Renewable and clean energy enjoys a ’significant comparative advantage’ in Scotland according to a Scottish Government report published this week.

The study highlights Scotland’s location, natural resources, research and development and manufacturing bases as key advantages for developing Scotland’s clean energy resource.

The report shows one additional gigawatt of onshore or offshore wind capacity could reduce Scotland’s current total carbon emissions by around 3%. Electricity grid infrastructure will be a fundamental influence on Scotland’s ability to accommodate growth in renewables.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said Scotland’s energy advantage lies in securing low carbon electricity from renewables and clean fossil fuels.

The Scottish Government has recruited the help of Scottish Water, John Lewis, BT and Scottish Power for a new 2020 Delivery Group to ensure that all sectors of Scotland’s economy and civic society contribute fully to achieving the Climate Change Delivery Plan which includes the target of a 42% reduction in emissions over the next decade.

Dr Alastair Sutherland of the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University says: ‘Here at GCU’s School of Life Sciences, we are looking at optimising microbial consortia in anaerobic digestion so that we can more efficiently generate biofuels including methane gas at micro- and macro-generation levels.

‘Inputs can be waste material or substrate such as seaweed or microalgae grown noncompetitively with food crops. We are particularly investigating anaerobic digestion of seaweed for use by small island communities and perhaps councils who need to remove cast seaweed from leisure beaches.
 
‘However, anaerobic digestion of grass and other horticultural waste and waste paper are being investigated. The benefits are developments in renewable biofuels, reduction in landfill waste and the release of associated methane (a greenhouse gas) from landfill.’

The School of Life Sciences works with local, national and international partners and is fully committed to promoting the economic vitality of Scotland and the UK . To find out more contact the Applied Knowledge Exchange.