Developing the universities third responsibility; Technology transfer to foster innovation

Project facts

Project promoter:
University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice(CZ)
Project Number:
CZ-EDUCATION-0092
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€125,166
Final project cost:
€125,165
Donor Project Partners:
ÅPENHET AS(NO)
Programme:

More information

Description

The project envisages activities between the Norwegian technology transfer office and the Czech university. It will provide valuable opportunity to share expertise in knowledge and technology transfer and foster the development of joint educational modules of intellectual property and education of knowledge and technology transfer as an infrastructure for the large community.
Knowledge and technology transfer (TT) between research institutions and enterprises significantly supports the development of innovation and thus contributes to the competitiveness of companies and regions. However, this process does not happen automatically, and therefore systematic support is needed.
Expected impact of the project:
1.    Significant strengthening of cooperation of technology transfer centres of both universities;
2.    Significant strengthening of collaboration between scientists from both countries;
3.    Significant strengthening network activities in both states, especially between scientific research institutions, students and researchers;
4.    Improving cross-border access and beyond knowledge and technology interconnection with R&D institutions;
5.    Increase the likelihood of specific research cooperation involving start-up and spin-off companies and the scientific community.
Another important point of the project is modifying and improving the curriculum and study materials for teaching the study subject focused on technology transfer and intellectual property protection.

Summary of project results

Third role of the universities, which focus on connection with society, market sphere and on spreading innovation, has been brought up as another essential role on top of the first two: education and research. Major amount of those third role tasks is covered by knowledge and technology transfer centres. The goal of this project strengthens this third role and also brings positive aspects to education and research.

The project activities were diverse. One of them were the meetings with the Norwegian partner either on-line or physical. The other was the work on the outputs with the contribution of both sides. And last but not least there were also promotional activities where the results were presented. There were two seminars/workshops with students.

The main results of the project are the study materials. There is a whole new curriculum material for the students of the IP subject. In addition, there is a study material for the future knowledge and technology transfer professionals. Annex to these both is a comparative study of a system of technology transfer in Norway and Czech Republic. The beneficiaries of these new outputs are the students and technology transfer professionals and these they can use for any occasion, in any situation, either for studying them themselves or pointing them to colleges or employees. These new materials wouldn´t be created without the support of this project. The realization of the project was very important for the innovative study materials which were created. The topic of knowledge and technology transfer is evolving quite fast and the need for the innovation and actualization of the study materials was considerable. Since there has been great evolution of the trends in knowledge and technology transfer in past few years there might not be a need to actualize these for a while. New materials are relevant, up to date and will be widely used. The education in this topic is ongoing and students and professionals feel the importance of studying new materials and getting new information as essential. There is a promising long-term impact especially with students, they are the future but also with the technology transfer professionals. These people move through the various fields quite often and bring the knowledge and difference.

Summary of bilateral results

Norway is one of the European innovation leaders with big emphasis on transforming the innovations into spin-off companies. Czech Republic is more focused on IP protection and licencing. Mutual connection, cooperation and learning from each other makes great value. Creation of the outputs out of this connection were the main goals of the project and were met without exception.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.