Knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer partnerships: A live case study approach for undergraduate design projects

This paper draws on experience gained from a Knowledge Transfer Partnership currently being undertaken by the authors, and how it has been used to provide case studies for undergraduate design projects. It will highlight the good practice that has been identified, and also discusses the experiences of the adoption and implementation of this type of learning activity. Gaining feedback from students, staff and industrial partners is also reviewed. We have found the case-based approach through a knowledge exchange model to be a useful method to develop key transferable skills such as group working and individual study skills, information gathering and analysis, time management, presentation and practical skills. It is also hoped that the projects carried out will equip students with the skills to bring together the different elements of creativity, technology and business, enabling students from different backgrounds and with varying levels of experience to work together, a key outcome of the Cox Review 2005. Examples of student project work outcomes are shown alongside the commercial work from the KTP associate.