The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, organised annually by Interface, mark the biggest celebration of businesses and academic knowledge exchange in Scotland, showcasing the achievements of collaborative partnerships and individuals alike. 

An app developed at the University of Strathclyde, which was designed to support global child protection work during the COVID-19 pandemic scooped the ‘Making a Social Difference’ Award.

The COVID 4P (Protection, Provision, Participation, Prevention) Log, a smartphone app, produced in partnership with 17 organisations worldwide, was developed for policymakers and practitioners in children’s rights and wellbeing to share their views and experiences of their work in the midst of the pandemic anonymously. The project was led by the Strathclyde-based Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures.

The app was designed to gather intelligence to address more effectively the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on children in the long term. It has also enhanced understanding of the changing demands on policies and practices, which vary widely across cultures, countries and continents.

Two innovative University of Glasgow-related projects have been honoured with prizes at the event in Dundee.

The Powerful Partnership award was presented to the University of Glasgow’s Dr David Mahon and colleagues at the National Nuclear Laboratory for their pioneering research in the field of muography. By harnessing the properties of natural radiation produced in the upper atmosphere, they have been able to shed unique light on the contents of shielded nuclear waste containers. 

The Multiparty Collaboration award went to the Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics, or iCAIRD. The University of Glasgow is one of more than 40 partners in the project from across industry, the NHS and the Universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews and Aberdeen. With twin tracks in radiology and pathology, iCAIRD’s programme of work is establishing the infrastructure and environment required to support development, validation & deployment of AI technologies for use in healthcare. 

University of the West of Scotland were named winners of the Innovator of the Future Award for the following projects:

Dr Emmanuel I. Epelle, KTP Associate from the University of the West of Scotland, who collaborated with Advanced Clothing Solutions to develop a novel and automated decontamination process.

Highly Commended: Dr Shu Yang, KTP Associate from the University of the West of Scotland, who collaborated with Consult Lift Services to embed leadership and management skills alongside modern business systems and processes.

Professor Naeem RamzanUniversity of the West of Scotland, scooped the Knowledge Exchange Champion award, Prof. Ramzan is an international scientist, engineer, and innovator in Artificial Intelligence and Multimedia Processing. He actively supports knowledge exchange projects from grassroots level through to providing strategic insight to industry thought-leaders.

University of the West of Scotland KTP Centre also took home the Knowledge Exchange Heroes category– sponsored by PraxisAuril for delivering business, societal and environmental impact as well as propelling the careers of the next generation of business leaders in the UK and internationally through a culture of support, recognition and excellence in customer service.

The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2023, sponsored by Salix Finance, were held on Thursday, March 23 in Dundee.