Lena Wilson insisted that Scotland’s businesses had ‘very serious challenges’ and were underperforming against the UK economy and global competitors. Ms Wilson said Scotland had a low number of businesses per head of the population, and that our businesses were very small.

Her aims for focus? Commercialisation and Internationalism. Ms Wilson said we need to capitalise on our world-class research in life sciences, food and drink and energy.

GCU is currently leading the £3.3m European study aimed at tacking foot and ankle pain.

Ms Wilson also emphasised the potential for Scotland’s businesses to export to China and India. Only 50 Scottish companies are active in China, she says, compared to over 200 Finnish businesses.

She called for a ’greater sense of ambition in businesses and the public sector’.

Jim Mather said we need a ‘new beginning in Scotland’, insisting that the Government was supporting ’sustainable economic growth’. He claimed ‘few sectors will offer Scotland as much as the energy sector’ and emphasised his goals of manufacturing innovation and private investment in renewables. The Scottish Government is to publish its Energy Efficiency Plan this spring.

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

The course is part of a Scottish Government initiative to foster stronger links between University’s and the burgeoning social enterprise sector in Scotland.

We will also be helping place students in social enterprises and showcasing our activity in this area at the S2S trade fair.

Follow us on Twitter #CaledonianAKE to find out more about our work in this area.

Daniel has been assisted with the design by the Applied Knowledge Exchange’s Business Transformation Fund, which helps fund innovative product research. 

Check out the Press & Journal article:

Jim Woodburn, Professor of Rehabilitation at GCU, is working on the A-FOOTPRINT project to develop new orthotic devices to support or correct musculoskeletal problems.

See more about Jim’s work in this video clip. Biomechanics – Jim Woodburn

The Applied Knowledge Exchange is also working with Promedics Orthapaedic with its orthapaedic research, through the Business Transformation Fund grant that allows SMEs to work collaboratively with Glasgow Caledonian University and access specialist expertise including consultancy, contract research and access to facilities or equipment.

Take a look to see what you think!

Get in touch if you would like a pack or some more information about business qualifications, funding your business enterprise in Scotland or part-time training, and we can send you some by post or email.

Glasgow Caledonian Uni has had several successful KTP partnerships with businesses including Novograf.

Current KTPs include those with Fearsom UK and If Only Holidays Limited.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is Europe’s leading programme helping business to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base.

At the Applied Knowledge Exchange, we welcome enquiries about funding and eligibility for Knowledge Transformation Partnerships from business and third sector organisations.

The main speaker at this year’s event will be Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland.

The scheme is part of ScotAction, a scheme to help individuals and businesses through the recession and provide skills assistance for training for work, training in work and training from work to work to help Scottish people and businesses survive the downturn and thrive when the economy starts to recover.

Glasgow Caledonian University is also offering businesses bespoke study programmes and part-time education to allow them to boost their employees’ skills set. To find out more, contact the Applied Knowledge Exchange on 0141 331 3189.