My Experience with KTP Projects Professor Omer F. Rana [email protected] School of Computer Science & Informatics Twitter: @omerfrana Facebook:

My Experience with KTP Projects

Professor Omer F. [email protected]

School of Computer Science & Informatics

Twitter: @omerfranaFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/omer.f.rana/

Photos from Flickr.com – copyright by photo owner

• PhD in Computing• Industry work during PhD

– Marshall BioTechnology Limited (Hybaid, Merck, Astra Zeneca, Amersham International)

– BBC, Channel 4• Same motivation as most

other academics– Learning (with and from

others)– Publications (“outputs”)– Research funding– Teaching based on my

research– Community engagement &

Impact• On my 4th KTP Project

– Two won prizes (Cardiff University Innovation Award)

Background

Before … Testing the WatersBenefit of work with local industryEnthusiasm from industry (more than I expected)Enthusiasm to engage withUniversity

During … Lots of PossibilitiesFinding an interesting problem to solveEngagement with company essential

Hardest part of the processResearch and commercial potential

My Reasons

Broaden scope of my researchWhere can I get data?Something differentTrying out data analytics in a scalable manner (COMTEC Europe)

The ProcessWell structured process (EoI Full Form)Change in thinking - close collaboration with company - think “commercial outputs”Engagement with KTP Adviser - comments very useful - process aims to encourage dialogue with company - found comments useful for “Pathways to Impact” in EPSRC proposalSupport and “hand holding” from KTP Office

The Road Ahead … During the KTP

Associate is key in the processChanging commercial landscape - re-evaluate plan during the processExposure of associate to customersAssociate “embedding”

Source of ideas … After the KTPCOMTEC Europe (with Jianhua Shao) - (Big) Data for the travel sector - Understanding customer journey in web sites and e-commerce - Data warehouse & visual analytics

Two associatesProduct demonstrated to keycustomer – Thomas CookAnalytics used to improve web site

Additional Collaboration … After the KTPTalks to our final year studentsCTO now a PhD student at Cardiff UniversityStudent placements + student hiring by the company“Ambassadors” for research & commercial opportunitiesCulture exchange: critical thinking with commercial potential

Looking Back … Reflecting on KTP

Engage Associate with research group more activelyCase study development more activelyEngagement in European projects

• Cloud computing in AEC sector with

Lee Wakemans

• Asset management in IT systems (focus on energy usage and fault tolerance/resilience)

With CircleIT

Current KTP projects