Golden KTP Awards Honour Queen’s University for Excellence in Knowledge Exchange

The holding of the prestigious Golden KTP Awards 2025 saw Queen’s University Belfast once again reaffirming its position on the highest pedestal nationally in innovation and business collaboration. The awards, which came to Manchester to celebrate half a century of the government-backed Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, recognised excellence in linking academic expertise with industry ambition. In this, Queen's emerged as the prime institution to win two out of only three national awards; something no other university in the UK has been able to achieve.

On the evening of the awards, Queen was named the 'Art of Successful Collaboration' prize institutional award, acknowledging Queen's pioneering role in setting the stage for the whole KTP model in UK higher education. The other one was the 'Knowledge with Impact' award for the long-standing marine engineering partnership with multinational Navico Group. The awards were presented in a ceremony celebrating KTP excellence for 50 years, with Queen's having been the only UK university nominated in all categories.

In addition to these Golden Awards, Queen's bagged a third award due to KTP Associate Shay McEvoy being named 'Future Leader' for his work alongside Moira-based sister companies AB Pneumatics and Plastics 2000, in collaboration with Queen's Business School. Senior representatives from Queen's, including Karen McGeough (KTP Manager), Lorraine Marks (Head of Business Support Programmes), and Professor Lorraine Martin (Associate PVC for Enterprise and Innovation), attended, truly emphasising the university's strategic commitment to enterprise and innovation.

Such awards, Queen's maintains, further consolidate its assertion as a UK leader in research partnerships and innovation. Over nearly four decades, it has successfully undertaken more than 400 KTP projects, thus supporting over 500 Associates and getting the engagement of more than 300 academic staff. These collaborative efforts have contributed £50 million to institutional income and an estimated contribution of £300 million to the UK economy. With 28 UK KTP awards to its credit, Queen's is still lining up among the crème de la crème of British universities for knowledge exchange performance.

The KTP programme works by embedding a university graduate, known as a KTP Associate, within a business to lead a project, supported by academic mentors and guided by measurable goals. Queen-led collaborations span advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, life sciences, and creative industries, delivering solutions that not only strengthen businesses but also enrich communities and shape industries. Notable partnerships include work with the iconic red London bus brand and the world-renowned Lowden guitars, based in Northern Ireland.

After the ceremony, Lorraine Marks noted that it was a phenomenal achievement to have won two out of three national awards, particularly with regard to the tremendous contest faced by every one of the participating UK institutions. Additionally, she stated that the recognition is a testament to the commitment of every Associate, academic, and business partner involved in delivering real-world impact through collaboration  These achievements also highlight the opportunities Queen's offers for international students and global partners. As UK higher education faces increasing pressure to demonstrate value and impact, Queen's University Belfast continues to lead by example, showing how innovation and business collaboration in UK universities can drive economic growth, inspire future leaders, and strengthen the country's global reputation.

Editor’s Note:

Queen’s University Belfast’s performance at the Golden KTP Awards 2025 is more than a moment of celebration; it is a clear reflection of sustained leadership in innovation and enterprise. Winning two out of three national awards, and being the only UK university shortlisted across all categories speaks volumes about the institution’s strategic commitment to knowledge exchange and its ability to deliver meaningful impact across sectors. What sets Queen’s apart is not just the scale of its achievements, but the consistency with which it has embedded collaboration into its institutional fabric. With over 400 KTP projects and a legacy of partnerships that span manufacturing, life sciences, and the creative industries, Queen’s has shown that academic excellence and business ambition are not opposing forces; they are complementary drivers of national growth. Its contribution of £300 million to the UK economy is a tangible outcome of this ethos.

Skoobuzz underlines that in an era where UK higher education is under increasing scrutiny to prove its relevance, Queen’s offers a compelling model of what purposeful engagement looks like. These awards are not just a recognition of past success; they are a call to sustain and scale this approach.

FAQs

1. What are the Golden KTP Awards, and why did Queen’s University win?

The Golden KTP Awards 2025 were held in Manchester to celebrate 50 years of the UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme. Queen’s University Belfast won two out of three national awards, ‘Art of Successful Collaboration’ and ‘Knowledge with Impact’, recognising its leadership in academic–industry partnerships and its long-term collaboration with the Navico Group in marine engineering.

2. How is Queen’s University Belfast leading in research and innovation?

Queen’s University Belfast has delivered over 400 KTP projects, supported more than 500 Associates, and engaged 300+ academic staff. These efforts have generated £50 million in institutional income and contributed approximately £300 million to the UK economy, positioning Queen’s among the top UK universities for knowledge exchange and innovation.

3. What makes Queen’s University one of the top UK universities?

Queen’s is consistently ranked as a national leader in knowledge transfer, having won 28 UK-wide KTP awards. It was the only UK university shortlisted in all three categories of the Golden KTP Awards 2025, demonstrating its excellence in collaboration, impact, and leadership across multiple sectors.

4. How does the KTP programme support business and academic collaboration?

The KTP programme embeds university graduates, known as KTP Associates, within businesses to lead innovation projects. These projects are supported by academic mentors and guided by measurable goals, helping companies access research expertise while offering graduates real-world experience.

5. Who is Shay McEvoy, and what is the Future Leader award?

Shay McEvoy, a KTP Associate from Queen’s University Belfast, won the ‘Future Leader’ award for his work with Moira-based firms AB Pneumatics and Plastics 2000. His project, delivered in collaboration with Queen’s Business School, exemplifies the leadership and innovation fostered through the KTP programme.

6. What sectors does Queen’s University collaborate with through KTPs?

Queen’s-led KTPs span advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, life sciences, and creative industries. Notable partnerships include work with the iconic red London bus brand and Northern Ireland’s world-famous Lowden guitars, reflecting the university’s broad sectoral reach and community impact.

7. Who attended the Golden KTP Awards on behalf of Queen’s?

Senior representatives from Queen’s University Belfast attended the ceremony, including Karen McGeough (KTP Manager), Lorraine Marks (Head of Business Support Programmes), and Professor Lorraine Martin (Associate PVC for Enterprise and Innovation), highlighting the university’s strategic commitment to enterprise and innovation.

8. What opportunities does Queen’s University offer for international students?

Queen’s University Belfast offers international students access to world-class research, industry-linked projects, and innovation-led learning. Its leadership in KTPs and global partnerships makes it an attractive destination for students seeking real-world impact and career development.

9. How do these awards reflect the UK higher education landscape?

The Golden KTP Awards 2025 showcase how UK universities contribute to national growth through research and business collaboration. Queen’s University Belfast’s success highlights the importance of sustained investment in innovation, talent development, and cross-sector partnerships.

10. What is the long-term impact of Queen’s University’s KTP work?

Queen’s University’s KTP legacy spans nearly four decades, with measurable contributions to the UK economy, business competitiveness, and graduate employability. Its continued success reinforces the value of structured collaboration between academia and industry in driving innovation.