Canterbury Christ Church University has signed up to a new national agreement, the Knowledge Exchange Concordat, in which UK institutions will commit to develop their knowledge exchange activities.

The University will also take part in year-long pilot programme to improve the Knowledge Exchange process. 

The Knowledge Exchange Concordat provides a framework for effective knowledge exchange across eight guiding good practice principles. It aims to help universities make informed decisions regarding their knowledge exchange activities and support the development of clear and ambitious strategic objectives that are consistent with their mission statement, priorities and expertise.  

The Concordat will also support institutions to shine a much-needed spotlight on knowledge exchange and provide greater transparency and representation of the wide range of knowledge exchange activities that universities undertake in helping support economic, social and cultural growth.  

Professor Mike Weed, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, said: “We are committed to developing enterprise and providing support to our local businesses and vital public and community services through our enterprising and professional graduates, our training offer, our consultancy and our world leading research. 

“We welcome the Knowledge Exchange Concordat as a mechanism for continuous improvement across our research and enterprise activities and offer, and I look forward to our engagement in the pilot year to develop our work supporting economic, social and cultural prosperity across the region and beyond.” 

Joe Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business, said: “The development year for the Knowledge Exchange Concordat represents an important opportunity for universities to proactively commit to self-improvement and evolve current processes to build increasingly successful partnerships with businesses.  

“Knowledge exchange needs to be prioritised and embedded at every level and good practice shared amongst the community about how to work even more effectively with external partners. As we rebuild post-Covid, university and business collaborations will prove vital to our social, economic and healthy recovery, in attracting R&D investment, delivering future skills and employability, and building partnerships internationally.”  

All universities that take part in the development year will receive confidential feedback on their strategic objectives and action plans. This feedback will help support the ongoing development and continuous improvement of our knowledge exchange and enterprise ambitions and activities across the University.