Postgraduate Certificate in Knowledge Transfer

The Association for University Research and Industry Links (AURIL) and The Open University have collaborated on a joint award - a Post Graduate Certificate in Knowledge Transfer - the first Knowledge Transfer award in Europe. Over 40Knowledge Transfer practitioners from the UK and Europe have undertaken the course since 2005.

Description

The Postgraduate Certificate in Knowledge Transfer is an Open University award for professionals working in the area of knowledge transfer. You will be able to explore the activity of managing knowledge from different perspectives and apply these within your own professional context. It provides you with conceptual frameworks, practical management tools and guidelines within a critical framework for effective and ethical management of knowledge, intellectual capital, brands and other intangible assets.

Requirements

The course is aimed at practising knowledge transfer professionals and experienced professionals new to knowledge transfer who have a significant responsibility for Knowledge Transfer within their organisations. Normally you will hold a minimum of a bachelors degree or equivalent. Exceptionally, experienced managers who do not meet the entry requirements may be accepted.

To gain this qualification you will first need to take the 30 credit course B823 Managing Knowledge from our OU Business Schoolmasters programme. The second part of the qualification is a work-based project developed by the AURIL which you will carry out at your own institution or organisation.

The Course

The course consists of two modules

• Managing Knowledge B823 (30 credits - The Open University)
• Work Based Project(30 credits - AURIL)

Managing Knowledge

Although the importance of knowledge to organisations has been recognised for many years, B823 Managing Knowledge represents a refocusing of managerial thought and practice. It takes a broad view of the subject that includes communication, sense-making, learning, intangible assets, human resources, organisational knowledge and knowledge technologies. Knowledge creation, situated in a local context, is related to international interconnectedness and globalisation. By the end of the course, you should be able to differentiate between simplistic knowledge management 'solutions' and the process of knowing how to 'make a difference', the practice of power, which lies at the heart of effective management.

 The course is for managers who deal with knowledge in a variety of organisational contexts ranging from multinationals, small and medium-sized businesses to the public sector and charities. In an increasingly inter-connected world, knowing how to manage knowledge to meet new opportunities and challenges is becoming a growing priority for practising managers, and this course covers areas that will be of importance to managers.

The aims of the course are:

• To explore the activity of managing knowledge from different perspectives, providing you with conceptual frameworks and models, practical management tools and guidelines.
• To use advanced, student-centred, distance-learning techniques and technologies to maximise learning benefits, tutor-student interaction and exposure to current topics and ideas.
• The benefits to you as a practising manager are that you will be able to:
• manage information and knowledge more effectively by better understanding the interaction between individuals, organisations, social networks and communities of practice;
• develop a critical perspective on communication, learning and sense-making;
• place the management of knowledge, tangible and intangible assets and intellectual capital in historical, theoretical and ethical contexts in order to appraise current practice and future options;
• use information and communication technologies to navigate the information environment, and be aware of how information and communication technologies can support knowledge management processes effectively for groups, as well as within and between organisations;
• analyse and develop individual and organisational knowledge management capabilities;
• formulate a knowledge management programme for your own organisation.

The course makes extensive use of electronic media, including online library resources, the internet, online forums and audio conferencing.

The Managing Knowledge B823 module consists of a number of core units:

1. An Introduction to Managing Knowledge
2. Managing Local Practice in a Global World
3. Communication, Learning and Sense making
4. Managing Intangible Assets
5. Human Resources Dimensions of Innovation and Managing Knowledge
6. Managing Knowledge in Organisations
7. Managing Knowledge in Practice
8. Knowledge Technologies
9. Looking Ahead

You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You will contact your tutor by telephone, correspondence, email and online forums. We may be able to offer day schools that you are strongly advised, but not obliged, to attend.

The B823 module assessment comprises 2 assignments and an examination.

The Work Based Project

The Work Based Project will relate to your workplace needs and ambitions and will address a development area in Knowledge Transfer. The aim being to identify a real project which utilises the theory acquired on the Managing Knowledge module.

A mentor will be assigned to your project once the 1,500 word project specification has been agreed. The final project report is 6,000 words, with the majority of the work and supervision being carried out electronically using the web based collaborative environment provided.

Your Project mentor and assessor will be senior knowledge transfer professional who will be very experienced with recognised expertise in your project area.

In order to obtain the Post Graduate Certificate in Knowledge Transfer, both modules must be completed for the required 60 credits. Note these credits can then be used towards an MBA qualification. 

It is estimated that the time to undertake the course will be 6 months for each module, although a longer time may be taken to complete the Work Based Project if required.

On completion

On successful completion of the programme you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Knowledge Transfer entitling you to use the letters PG Cert KT (Open) after your name.

Fees and application

The cost for the full programme is £2,900 plus VAT which covers all OU fees, all materials, mentor and supervisor support and all assessment fees.