Uq Capability Statement Education October2010
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Transcript of Uq Capability Statement Education October2010
Education & Business Capability Statement
7-9 North St David Street EdinburghUnited Kingdom EH2 1AW
Tel: +44(0)131 524 9640Web: www.upperquartile.co.uk
Knowledge & Innovation
Globally, investment into research capability is increasing as a driver for economic and business growth –
developing expert knowledge and highly skilled people drives innovation and competitive advantage.
Whether focused on developing new research themes or new curricula - industry partnerships are increasingly
relevant, symbiotic and rewarding.
Recent research indicated that university research generates a significantly higher return on investment of
publicly funded research grants that in other areas of government supported R&D.
Upper Quartile is working with several leading universities in developing strategic partnerships and unlocking the
commercial potential of the knowledge base.
Skills & Vocational Training
Delivering skills development and vocational training that is valued by both the trainees and the business
community is recognised as the key to support private sector growth while developing sustainable employment
opportunities. There is plenty on offer for businesses: with the university and college sectors offering tailored
vocational training packages, and multiple private sector providers.
Training provision is also global, with flexible and online learning now the norm, regardless of the location of the
accreditation body.
For organisations investing in training, decisions need to be made on the design and cost, the most appropriate
delivery mechanisms, likely benefits and appropriate funding structures. Upper Quartile is working with private
sector, government and international development clients on devising the most cost effective way of unlocking
resources and ensuring the investment in training delivers sustainable and tangible value.
Imperial College London; March 2010, Professor Jonathan Haskel – click here for more info
Case Studies
Scottish Academy of Fashion
Upper Quartile has been retained as project consultant on an ambitious project to establish a global ‘centre of
excellence’ in applied research and knowledge transfer activities. Involving six of Scotland’s leading universities, industry
and international partners, Upper Quartile is driving the creation of a new model of engagement between universities
and industry.
Critical successes to date include securing development funding from Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Funding Council
and Scottish Enterprise, the support of key industrial partners including UK Fashion Textiles, and the delivery of network
building activities. Upper Quartile have facilitated several industrial collaborations now underway with lead academic
partners Heriot Watt University and Edinburgh School of Art.
Heriot Watt University School of Textiles & Design
Strategic Action Plan for Industry Engagement
Upper Quartile has been engaged to develop a strategic action plan for the School of Textiles & Design, focused on
identifying activities based on research and teaching strengths, that will drive new engagement with industry. Within a
fully costed Action Plan, Upper Quartile is developing appropriate output targets based on financial, economic impact
and educational measures.
Workshops have been undertaken with staff to ensure their proactive involvement and ownership of the project, and
extensive consultations held with key staff and stakeholders. The final Action Plan will be agreed with the School and
presented in June 2010.
Highlands & Islands Enterprise Creative & Design Industries Workshops
Upper Quartile devised and delivered a series of workshops aimed at design, fashion and creative businesses, address-
ing areas of knowledge gaps and market failure. A team of industry experts delivered sessions covering product design,
industry trends, marketing and PR, sourcing and ethics/fair trade.
Following excellent feedback from businesses who attended a series of workshops delivered in 2009, Upper Quartile is
delivering further events on behalf of HIE in 2010.
Edinburgh College of Art Competitive Analysis of Taught Course Provision
Upper Quartile undertook a competitive analysis of design related postgraduate taught course provision to inform the
development of market driven provision. While primarily focused on UK provision, the report also identified leading
examples international provision and best practice.
Harris Tweed Industry Forum / Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Harris Tweed Industry Strategy
Upper Quartile was engaged to develop and gain agreement on a forward strategy for the Harris Tweed sector. Based
on extensive consultation with the industry and stakeholders, and undertaking an Economic Impact Appraisal to
establish robust baseline data, Upper Quartile has delivered a concise strategy document articulating key growth
targets, strategic focus and priorities activities. The strategy, entitled ‘From the Land comes the Cloth: A strategy for the
Harris Tweed Industry 2010-2013’ has been endorsed by the industry and its representative body.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Harris Tweed Skills & Training Programme
Upper Quartile won a competitive tender to project manage an European Social Fund (ESF) funded project, designing
and implementing training initiatives delivering tangible benefit to the Harris Tweed sector. Upper Quartile has worked
with key training providers to develop and deliver a suite of skills development and training initiatives to build skills and
capacity in the industry.
By fostering a partnership approach with relevant agencies, Upper Quartile has secured further investment into the
project, increasing the project fund by 24%, and ensuring that skills and training solutions are coordinated with other
initiatives to assist the longer term implementation and embedding of new skills.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Harris Tweed Skills Audit
Upper Quartile won a competitive tender to undertake a skills audit of the Harris Tweed sector, identify needs,
investigate training options and make recommendations for a Skills & Development Plan related to sector development.
Upper Quartile succeeded in getting a high level of responses and proactive input from a wide variety of interviewees.
Training options were comprehensively explored, a process which involved getting information from multiple
providers, and from the bodies responsible for qualifications development. Overall the report was delivered on time and
to budget. It was endorsed by the industry and key stakeholders and formed the basis for ongoing assistance.
Heriot Watt University KnowHow2
Upper Quartile was appointed to undertake a needs analysis of future skills and competencies required by the Scottish
textile industry, with particular reference to the School of Textiles & Design. Upper Quartile devised and undertook a
focused industry survey. Drawing on this and wider expertise, a summary and recommendations were delivered.
Findings were presented at a EU level meeting as part of a ‘Transfer of Innovation’ EU funded project.
Training and VocationalEducation in Afghanistan
Upper Quartile was commissioned by DFID in June 2010 to review the training and vocational education system in
Afghanistan and make recommendations on the most appropriate form of support. The country’s vocational training
system is wholly inadequate to support economic growth. Its weakness also contributes to a growing pool of
unemployed, disaffected young men who are then more easily tempted into crime and violence. DFID has recognised
the urgent need to tackle the problem and Upper Quartile helped define what the priorities for intervention should be.
We particularly recommended an emphasis on short-term training for the un- and under-employed, with parallel
investment in the broader vocational training system and infrastructure to build longer term capacity. The project
played an important role in shaping the UK Government’s position at the Kabul Conference of July 2010.
Senior Executive Service, Tanzania
The Public Service Management department of the Tanzanian President’s Office wishes to introduce a Senior Executive
Service (SES) into the Tanzanian public service structure. Upper Quartile and its partners in Tanzania were commissioned
in March 2010 to design a SES and make recommendations on how it could be introduced. The project has involved
examining good practice in other countries and discussions with public service leaders throughout the country. It has
identified the appropriate structure, membership, training and development needs, recruitment methods and
performance management systems for the SES. It has also developed strategies for ensuring acceptance of the SES by
the political and civil service establishment.
University of the Highlands & Islands energy projects
Undertook economic project appraisals in the energy sector for UHI. These covered establishing the economic benefits
of two projects – the Centre for Energy and the Environment (CfEE) teaching and research building at the Thurso
campus; and the Marine and Renewable Energy and the Environment project (MaREE). The feasibility and potential
benefits of these investments were assessed for the UHI and its co-funder, Highlands & Islands Enterprise. The projects
have since been implemented to establish world leading centres in their fields.
University of the Highlands & Islands funding strategy
The University’s college on the Isle of Skye, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, teaches a wide range of subjects from business and
administration to culture and history through the medium of the Gaelic language. UQ personnel prepared a Funding
Strategy aimed at attracting new and diverse sources of finance to the University in times of declining support from
central government.
Maldives skills certification and ICT training
Worked with the Government of the Maldives in Malé on establishing the costs and benefits of ICT training programmes
and the framework of certification required to implement this, including the setting of benchmark skills and
competencies. oject played an important role in shaping the UK Government’s position at the Kabul Conference of July
2010.
Indian Colleges linking with UK Higher Education Institutions
Working with various higher education colleges and foundations in north and south India to set up strategic
partnerships with UK universities, for the exchange of students and faculty staff. This involves devising programmes and
business models, and presenting them to college and university boards in India and the UK.
Higher Education Governance
Personnel within the UQ team have served in various governance and advisory capacities in the higher education sector
in the UK. These include the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council’s research grants Committee, allocating
£ millions for research to Scottish Universities; working on the project teams for establishing a new university; advising
on the creation of new MSc courses; and acting as external examiner.