The University’s Computer Science Industry Club (CSIC), which brings together students, academic members of staff and local technology businesses to help West Midlands based companies source talent within computer science disciplines, picked up the award for “most effective initiative from a KTP team” at a virtual awards ceremony on 9 September. 

The Best of the Best Awards are a yearly celebration of the outstanding impact of KTPs. KTPs are collaborative projects which bring together organisations, academics, and talented graduates in a partnership that creates positive economic, environmental and social change. 

The Most Effective Initiative from a KTP team award recognises the team that has introduced an innovative new approach or initiative to any aspect of KTP promotion, management or delivery, achieving significant benefit in terms of innovation or impact; and in so doing provides a model of best practice for KTP offices in the UK. 

Mark Smith, executive director of business engagement at Aston University, said:

“It’s wonderful that Aston University has been formally recognised as sector leaders for KTPs, reflecting the scale and quality of our programmes. The award is recognition of our recent growth in KTPs.

“The team has worked exceptionally hard to introduce this new approach to Knowledge Exchange (KE), and is further recognition for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Computer Science Industry Club which are now regularly cited as sector best practice for both KE and employability.”

The CISC initiative was led by Dr Maria Chli from the University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and is a joint initiative with the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office, which brings together multiple departments to improve the technology skills gap within the West Midlands.