Funding from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme has enabled London Met to develop new business links, leading to fantastic employment opportunities for two MSc Software Engineering graduates. The partnerships are designed to give companies access to the expertise of academics and researchers, which can then be utilised in their businesses.

Muhammed Mughal and Jun Li, who both graduated with distinction, have won contracts as KTP Associates within expanding businesses. The graduates will gain valuable business-based experience and in exchange the companies they are working for will benefit from their fresh perspectives and new ideas. The arrangements are also likely to lead to full-time employment offers upon completion.

Muhammed Mughal has been employed by electronics company Rankhour Limited as a software developer. Together, London Met and Rankhour Limited have developed a centralised management system that incorporates the core aspects of the business. It accommodates the arising requirements of business growth, enables the expansion of operations into European markets and creates a stable platform to which advanced business modules can be added.

‘The KTPs are an excellent scheme’, Muhammed said, ‘everyone benefits; the company, the University and the students. After graduating I have been able to go straight into a challenging job.’ Muhammed is also hoping to progress to further study by taking a Chartered Marketing Institute diploma. If he is successful, his fees for this course will be funded by the KTP.

Jun Li is working in a research capacity, developing software for the Essex Disabled People's Association (EDPA) Agency. The EDPA’s collaboration with the University has involved developing ‘Intelligent Keyboard’ software, where standard software can be tailored to the needs of a disabled user. Funding from the KTP has supported Jun in his PhD studies, providing him with office space, computer software and other resources needed to develop his research.

This scheme have been made possible by the tremendous efforts of Dr Karim Ouazzane (pictured), Senior Lecturer for CCTM, who has been promoting the scheme over a three-year period. Dr Ouazzane is dedicated to developing a research environment within the department. He has worked to maximise opportunities for research-related funding and expand the portfolio of funded research in collaboration with colleagues and businesses.

6 December 2007