Edinburgh Napier University has been awarded a prestigious Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Functional Skills UK (FSUK), a national provider of adult and vocational education.

The partnership, co-funded by Innovate UK, will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can personalise learning and improve engagement in essential skills training—particularly for learners who have previously struggled with traditional education pathways.

Led by Professor Sukanlaya Sawang from Centre of Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS) in collaboration with Professor Maura Sheehan from  the Business School and Dr Brian Davison from the School of Computing, Engineering & The Built Environment, this two-year collaboration will apply Edinburgh Napier’s expertise in AI, learning analytics, and digital education to co-create an adaptive learning platform. This platform will use AI to provide tailored feedback, support learner progression, and offer valuable decision support to educators—transforming how functional skills in Maths and English are delivered.

The KTP was announced as part of a wider government initiative to accelerate innovation and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry. This sentiment is echoed by the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, who expressed strong support for the project:

“I’ve seen the work Functional Skills UK do and met some of their success stories and so I couldn’t be prouder of this news. It not only shows that Hove and Portslade is pioneering in many, many ways but also that AI can be used in a way that’s beneficial and productive to help everyone grow and develop for their futures.”

Peter Kyle also welcomed the partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, noting that it reflects the kind of innovative, future-focused collaboration that Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are designed to support—bridging research excellence with real-world impact. The success of this KTP demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to enhance education and drive inclusive skills development across the UK.

Adding to this, Paul Smith, Managing Director of Functional Skills UK, shared:

“We’re incredibly proud to receive this rare and competitive award. It reflects not only our dedication to innovation but also our belief that education must adapt to the needs of every learner. This AI tool has the potential to transform how we support neurodiverse learners—not just within our organisation, but across the wider education and skills sector.”

This KTP marks a significant step forward in reshaping adult education by harnessing the power of AI for inclusion, engagement, and impact—further reinforcing Edinburgh Napier University’s role as a leader in applied research and industry collaboration. 

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