The Materials and Engineering Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University held its fifth Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Day and Networking Dinner on Thursday 21 May 2015.

The day brought together all of the Sheffield Hallam University associates and their industry and academic supervisors from our current 14 KTPs.

Our associates outlined their projects to senior staff from the participating companies and experts from Sheffield Hallam's research institutes, who were on hand to offer advice.

The projects showed how our associates are shaping innovation with SMEs in the region and beyond. They included

• the journey of an SME which has transformed from a service-based business in to a manufacturing company with a unique range of new products
• an associate who took a high technology joining technique and turned it into highly decorative and unique art form for the manufacture of exclusive jewellery
• an Enhanced Mentored Intern who has created and implemented a marketing strategy which has, in the words of the company's MD, 'transformed the external profile of the company'
• a local SME who have created with our experts a new product which could revolutionise their business

Stuart Murphy, the managing director of Rollem Patent Products, said it was the most effective networking event he had ever been to.

Later, at the networking dinner, guest speaker Dr Ian Brotherstone from Innovate UK provided some thoughts on the possible future direction of KTPs following the general election.

Professor Paul Harrison, the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, closed the event with a thought-provoking address emphasising the importance that Sheffield Hallam places on collaboration between industry and academia.

The final duty for the evening was to award the prize for the best presentation, which this year went to Mat Smith from Everton Ltd.

Find out how your company can benefit from our Knowledge Transfer Partnership.