College Extends Partnership to Host Scottish Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange for a Further 10 Years

City of Glasgow College has confirmed a 10-year extension of its agreement to host the Scottish Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (Scottish IKE), reinforcing a successful partnership focused on making innovation accessible, structured and professionally recognised across Scotland’s economy.

The renewed agreement reaffirms a shared ambition to move innovation away from being seen as the preserve of a select few and instead position it as a core organisational capability that can be learned, embedded and measured across all sectors.

Since its launch at City of Glasgow College in 2017, Scottish IKE has grown into Scotland’s national centre of excellence for innovation and knowledge exchange. Its mission has remained clear: to democratise innovation by ensuring that individuals, teams and organisations, regardless of size, sector or starting point, can develop the confidence, skills and frameworks required to innovate effectively.

Hosted within Scotland’s largest technical and professional skills College, Scottish IKE has played a key role in embedding innovation across education, industry and public services. This approach ensures that innovation capability is not reliant on chance, isolated talent or individual heroics, but is available to all who seek to improve outcomes and create value.

A defining feature of Scottish IKE’s work has been its focus on systemising innovation, supporting organisations to move beyond ad hoc ideas to repeatable, evidence-based innovation processes. Through structured frameworks, diagnostic tools and applied programmes, organisations have been supported to assess and improve innovation maturity, embed innovation into strategy and governance, and align innovation activity with measurable outcomes such as productivity, sustainability and growth.

This approach has underpinned nationally significant initiatives across sectors including construction, engineering, health and social care, creative media and design, maritime, digital transformation, space and net zero. These initiatives demonstrate how innovation, when systemised, becomes a dependable driver of transformation rather than an occasional success.

Central to the extended partnership is a shared belief that innovation should be recognised as a professional discipline, with clear standards, competencies and career pathways. City of Glasgow College has led this agenda in Scotland by championing internationally recognised frameworks and certifications, including Investor in Innovations (aligned with ISO 56002), Digital Maturity Assured and STEM Assured, alongside professional development pathways for innovation leaders and practitioners.

Through its partnership with Scottish IKE, the College has strengthened its own innovation capability, achieving multiple national and international accolades. Since 2017, the partnership has secured 36 applied innovation projects, generated £3.7 million in revenue and project funding, and delivered professionally accredited innovation programmes to more than 500 industry participants.

Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive of City of Glasgow College, said: “This 10-year extension reflects our absolute confidence in the power of innovation when it is made practical, inclusive and professionally recognised. Hosting Scottish IKE has enabled the College to take innovation out of theory and into the real economy, supporting businesses, public services and communities across Scotland to turn ideas into measurable impact.”

As a civic anchor institution, City of Glasgow College plays a critical role in regional and national development. Hosting Scottish IKE strengthens both the College’s and Glasgow’s position as a centre for applied innovation, while ensuring innovation capability reaches communities, employers and public services across Scotland.

Professor Sam Medhat, Chief Executive of the IKE Institute, said: “City of Glasgow College has demonstrated what is possible when STEM education, innovation and civic purpose are brought together at scale. We are delighted to continue growing this strong partnership and strengthening Scotland’s innovation capacity for the benefit of learners, industry and communities alike.”