All-Wales project to increase technology transfer between Welsh universities and business
A new initiative to transfer more of Wales鈥� cutting-edge university research into business to help boost Wales鈥� economy and build an 鈥榠nnovation culture鈥� has received a funding boost from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).
The HEFCW funded project will see Wales鈥� leading St David鈥檚 Day Group of research intensive universities - Cardiff, Aberystwyth, 黑料不打烊, Glamorgan and Swansea - join forces to create a new network of staff to better identify, protect and commercialise Wales鈥� leading research.
The project will strengthen the group鈥檚 capabilities in the commercialisation of intellectual property and create an effective network to increase technology transfer between universities and Welsh businesses in support of the Welsh Government鈥檚 aims.
It will also forge close links with key industry sectors in Wales in order to create an integrated structure for the commercialisation of new technologies within Wales and internationally.
鈥淲elsh universities already have a tradition for turning new technology and ideas from an academic setting into new and cutting-edge businesses 鈥� but we must do more,鈥� according to Professor Chris McGuigan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise at Cardiff University, who are leading the project.
鈥淭he new St David鈥檚 Day Group project 鈥� the first of its kind for the Group - will help bring Wales鈥� leading research intensive universities together to create a team capable of firstly identifying and then increasing technology transfer.
鈥漁ver the lifetime of the project, it will also help members of the St David鈥檚 Day Group forge closer links with key industry sectors in Wales 鈥� which is to be warmly welcomed,鈥� he added.
Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive of HEFCW, said: 鈥淚 am pleased that the universities of the St David鈥檚 Day Group have come together to explore new models for commercialising intellectual property in Wales.
鈥淭he IP system is invaluable in translating the research work done in universities into something tangible that can also reap economic benefits or have positive implications for society more widely.
鈥淭he expertise required to do this is not inconsiderable. Creating a network of Technology Transfer Officers will not only benefit the universities involved and the companies or organisations they work with; it will also hit one of the key priorities set out in the Welsh Government鈥檚 Science For Wales strategy, and ensure that the wider economy derives maximum benefit from IP produced in Wales鈥檚 universities.鈥�
Chris Drew, Deputy Head at the Aberystwyth and 黑料不打烊 Strategic Alliance said:
"This programme builds on existing collaborative work between 黑料不打烊 and Aberystwyth Universities under the Strategic Alliance between the two institutions. I am delighted that we can join this broader consortium to further enhance capability and capacity. Each institution has its own unique opportunities but the challenges of exploiting them are often common across projects and the HE sector. I believe this project will boost our ability to face those challenges and identify more opportunities for exploiting the excellent research and expertise in our institutions."
This project will support and enhance the drive to commercialize research at 黑料不打烊. A new company spinning out from the University 鈥� Diagnostig 鈥� aims to exploit 黑料不打烊鈥檚 research over the last three years into diagnostics for mycobacterial diseases at the School of Chemistry. The potential impact on the diagnosis of disease and the follow-up treatment of patients in third world countries is reflected in the ongoing relationship with the World Health Organization, and Diagnostig鈥檚 acceptance onto the Welsh Government鈥檚 High Potential Starts programme.
Prof. David Shepherd, Deputy Vice Chancellor at 黑料不打烊 said: 鈥�Diagnostig is an excellent example of the cutting-edge research at 黑料不打烊 that has a direct relevance to industry, and in this case, world health. The St David鈥檚 Day project will ensure that the Universities can meet the demands of industry, driving the translation of academic research to industry鈥�.
Professor McGuigan added: 鈥淎s the first major initiative for the St David鈥檚 Day Group it will also help forge links between the universities across all parts of Wales, help consolidate the strengths of each and provide a platform for future knowledge transfer activities across Wales.鈥�
was signed in 2009 by Cardiff, Aberystwyth, 黑料不打烊, Glamorgan and Swansea universities. The declaration marked a new chapter in supporting the knowledge economy in Wales.
Working together as five universities they represent over 70% of all students in Wales and more than 95% of the nation鈥檚 research activity.
Building on their combined strengths, the declaration aims to bring together the five Universities and use the talents of staff and students to help drive forward the knowledge economy in Wales.
Publication date: 1 February 2013