research and innovation at the university of patras: the case of innovation and technology transfer...
DESCRIPTION
Talk at Patras InnoHub, June 2013TRANSCRIPT
Research and Innovation at the University
of Patras: The case of the Innovation &
Technology Transfer Office (ITTO)
Nikolaos Avouris
Deputy Rector for Research & Developemnt
University of Patras, Greece
Regional Policy Improvement for Financially Sustainable Creative Incubator UnitsPARTNER MEETING, THEMATIC SEMINAR AND STUDY VISIT Patras - 4-6 June 2013
The University of Patras
History of 50 years. Public institution. Over 20 departments, student population of over 20,000 and a faculty of 700+
It maintains a competitive research record. Third parties research funds in 2012 around 35 M. €
Ranking in world University lists
According to QS World University Ranking for academic year 2012 U.Patras is in the group of 600+ Univeristities. In 5th
position among over 90 higher education institutions in Greece
Source: www.topuniversities.com
High in funded research (#63th in Europe, #3 in GR)
# Institution Score
1 FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS 33.29
2 NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS 33.1
3 UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS 32.11
4 CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS 31.75
5 NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS 29.78
6 INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS 29.18
7 HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH 28.62
8 NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH "DEMOKRITOS" 26.22
9 UNIVERSITY OF CRETE 25.72
1
0TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CRETE 23.11
(http://www.researchranking.org EU Funding score in 2012)
U.Patras Research CommitteeThe Special Account of Research Funds of the University of Patras was established according to the Common Ministerial Decision no. KA/679/1996 that foresees the creation of "Special Accounts" in Higher Education Institutes in Greece, with the objective the management of funds targeting to the Research and Development. Transition now to a different legal entity (for profit S.A.)
The administration of the Special Account is done by the Research Committee with the responsibility of:• -Proposing the research policy
to the Senate • - Administration of research
projects• - Propose and execute the
Budget of the Special Account• - Definition of the Funding
Guide • Informing the scientific
community of the University on funding opportunities
• Supporting young researchers through scholarships
http://research.upatras.gr/
Innovation and Technology Transfer
• Short term plan: Establishing links between research results and industry
• Long term plan: Build a Regional Centre for Innovation and Technology transfer
The Riganokambos Project:In the phase of planning
Innovation and Technology Transfer Office
A structure sponsored by the University of Patras ResearchCommittee, established 5 years ago.
Activities :A. Research Directory: index of research units and their fields
B. Field Map: Identify and follow the local and national sectorsrelevant to U.Patras researchers
C. Identify funding opportunities for technology transfer
D. Innovation support (patterns, spin offs, etc.)
E. Dissemination of research results
F. Business opportunities and needs
Α. Research Directory
• Directory of research units:
– their research infrastructure and key researchers with their research profiles and interests according to fields of EU http://rdo.upatras.gr
• Directory of research networks
• Service laboratories
• Innovation directory (spin offs, patents)
rdo.upatras.grIndex of research capital of the University organized in
sectors and thematic areas
Objective: To maintain a portal that provides access to
the research capital of the University.
Perspective: Low
usage record, high
effort to maintain.
Alternative solutions
to harvest research
portals (researchgate,
academia, etc.)
and/or use a CRIS
system.
Β. Field Mapping and Networking
• Regional partners /
– Local government, Entrepreneurs'’ associations, chambers of commerce and industry
• Mapping of industrial partners to active research groups
• Identify areas of technology with high demand and their key requirements
• Identify and collaborate with other regional, national and international technology transfer institutions
C. Funding and networking opportunities for technology transfer
• Presentation and linking to Funding Calls and Funding opportunities.
• Dissemination of calls.
• Support for funding bids preparation.
D. Innovation support
Support for exploitation of research results, technology transfer and IPR management
• Support and advise on Patents applications.
• Support for Spin Off creation.
• Support for Laboratories Certification.
• Seeking partners for funding and commercial exploitation of research results.
• Consultancy for innovation, technology transfer and business creation
Ε. Dissemination of research results
• Support for dissemination of technological services and exploitation of research results.
• Networking with technology transfer organizations at national and European level.
• Intensify relations between researchers of the University of Patras and industry in the region and the world.
• Processes and Information dissemination for ethical issues in research.
F. Business opportunities and needs
o Screening and contacting industrial partners per sector of activity o R&D department for improvement and creation
new products o Research problems and needs o Implementation of research ideas
o Training in business practices for students and researchers of the University of Patras (this is the main activity of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Unit (IEU) of the Careers Office - Coordination is needed, the latter is funded by structural funds).
o Technology transfer seminars for the industry o Asking successful entrepreneurs to act as legal advisors
and mentors of young students. o Tools for search of partners for new products .
University Networks
42 Interdisciplinary Research Networks in 5 Clusters:
- Information and
Communication Technologies
- New Materials and
Constructions
- Environment and
Sustainable Development
- Bio-medicine and bio-
engineering
- Education and Human
Resources
Networking activities
ProTon: The European Knowledge Transfer Association
Patras IQJoint Technology
Transfer Expo
University of Patras and Chamber of Achaia
December 2012
Patras IQ 2012Over 100 researchers of the University of presented research activities and
innovative results in fields like: Energy and Environment, Health, Geology, Food, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Nano technology and materials, Manufacturing and Constructions, Computer Science, Transports, Electronics and Telecommunications, Space technology.
There are plans to make PATRAS IQ a periodic event with participation of research and industry further afield.
Patras IQ: P. Marlafekas, (President of Chamber of Achaia), P. Groumbos, A. Tzes (professors of U. Patras), G.Panayiotakis, Rector U.Patras
Open targeted meetings
• Objective of the meetings is the presentation of research results and technologies relevant to a sector to stakeholders concerned by members of the research community.
• They are organized jointly with the local chamber. Widespread publicity and targeted mobilization of the sector usually takes place beforehand.
• 3 partnerships were established in recent months while more are in negotiation phase.
ΙΤΤΟ external evaluationJanuary 2013
Evaluator: Paul Van Dun (Director of Research Development of KU Leuven)
Objective: Evaluation of University of Patras activities and its environment(scientific and industrial partners)
Evaluation recommendations:
• Support of the ITT Office and technology transfer activity by the University of Patras
• Support for technology transfer at the regional level
• Patents and entrepreneurship culture
• Methods for mobilization of researchers in innovative research
• Funding up to proof-of-concept level
• Flow of information and communication between ΙΤΤΟ & Research Committee
• High Potential of Science Park
Upatras ITTO in summary• Overall: More support is needed to become a
mainstream activity (link to education, lifelong learning, research results, University mission statement and strategic plan)
– Small human resources allocated, specialized personnel needed
– Working under an adverse political and business environment.
– Active mostly at regional level.
– Success stories: PATRAS IQ and Targeted Sector Meetings
– Lack of coordination with the Careers Office structure
– Research Directory not as effective as expected.
more….
itto.upatras.gr
research.upatras.gr