Published:
Heriot-Watt today signed a Strategic Alliance agreement with industry partner MacTaggart Scott.
This agreement between the Scottish engineering company and the University formalises future collaboration on research activity, funding for research students, undergraduate and postgraduate projects, Graduate Apprenticeships, staff exchanges and product development.
The productive partnership began in 2011 with an undergraduate mechanical engineering design project and expanded to electrical and mechanical projects, including a Knowledge Transfer Partnership and PhD and EngD studentships.
The scope and success of the relationship has steadily grown and was recognised by winning the Sustained Partnership category in the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards in 2017.
This Alliance will create exciting opportunities for further collaboration in both innovation and skills projects that have the potential to be truly transformational.
Loanhead-based MacTaggart Scott has extensive experience in the Engineering sector, its core activity being the design and manufacture of mechanical handling equipment for maritime applications.
Lee Baines, MacTaggart Scott's Development Manager (R & D) said: “MacTaggart Scott has benefited from academic input and partnerships for several years, helping to ensure we stay at the forefront of technological and industrial advances. Engaging with students, from Graduate Apprentices to PhD candidates, offers opportunities for them to work on real problems and see real products developed using their ideas, while offering the company an excellent opportunity to recruit the best and brightest young engineers and professionals.”
Dr Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal for Enterprise and Business, welcomed the establishment of the strategic alliance saying: “This Alliance ensures a long-term partnership between both organisations and will create exciting opportunities for further collaboration in both innovation and skills projects that have the potential to be truly transformational.
“Heriot Watt is passionate about partnerships that will make an impact and this is a fantastic example.”