The development of highly disruptive technologies to solve major societal problems often requires an applied science approach, merging the expertise of industry and academia. It is increasingly common at national and international levels to require close collaboration between industry and academia in attempts to solve major societal problems – for example climate change mitigation and delivery of effective and sustainable agriculture.
In this workshop, experts from industry and academia discussed the nature of collaboration in the development of cutting-edge technologies. In addition, the workshop highlighted the importance of skills transferability between both sectors.
Participants from four countries took part in the workshop – 16 registrations from Bulgaria, 6 from South Africa and 3 from Germany. There were also 3 applications from Türkiye.
Lecturers and topics of the workshop:
- “Interface of academia and industry: Six immensely important transferable skills”
Dr. Diksha Dani, PhD, Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, Universität Potsdam, Germany.
Dr. Diksha Dani initiated the first lecture of the workshop, describing her own personal experience based on the transition from academia to industry. She observed major differences when handling projects assigned by the university, which involved both academia and industry based research, intellectual property (IP) management and innovation management.
Dr. Dani specified that academia-industry oriented collaborative research needs to stimulate novel ideas and innovations benefiting the public. Such collaborations require ‘trust among partners’. Dr. Dani then outlined the need and use of transferrable skills, especially the six most important of them – communication skills, analytical skills, empathy, network building, collaboration skills and storytelling. Dr. Dani also described differences she had experienced while out-licensing the knowhow/technology to multinational companies versus small companies.
- “Build and guide sustainable technology transfer”
Dr. Gergana Zahmanova, PhD, CPSBB, Bulgaria.
Dr. Zahmanova defined “Technology transfer” as the “process of transferring scientific findings from one organization to another for the purpose of further development and commercialization”. Dr. Zahmanova clarified that the technology transfer knowledge can be obtained from Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of University or Research organizations, Regional Innovation Centres/start-up companies or from an IP attorney, National patent offices or Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) helpdesk. The TTO normally deals with IP creation, assessing the commercial potential or utility of the technology, whether the technology can be developed to new products. TTOs also assess if the research needs improvement so that it can be implemented better and thus of beneficial to the society.
Dr. Zahmanova also described the technology process steps such as Invention, Invention disclosure, Assessment, Protection, Marketing, Licensing and Financial return.
- “Development of cutting-edge molecular priming tools using applied science approaches and sustainable technologies”
John T. O’Sullivan, CEO, BioAtlantis Ltd, Ireland.
Mr. John T. O’Sullivan talked about the entrepreneurial skills involved in the development of molecular priming tools using applied science approaches and sustainable technologies by the Irish-based biotechnology company BioAtlantis Ltd.
Mr O’Sullivan highlighted the research collaboration between BioAtlantis Ltd., the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, the University of Potsdam (both in Pots-dam-Golm), and CPSBB in Bulgaria. He elaborated on how the novel biostimulant SuperFifty®-based priming technology for oxidative stress mitigation was developed.
His presentation concluded that the entrepreneurship activities and fruitful project collaborations between the industry and academia is a crucial combination that supports both business and academia and significantly helps in bringing proven technologies to the market.
- “Transferable skills: from academia to industry”
Dr. Kieran Guinan, PhD, Research Manager, BioAtlantis Ltd, Ireland.
The final talk of the course was delivered by Dr. Kieran Guinan. His lecture topic highlighted the fact that there are increasing requirements for scientists to develop abilities and skillsets applicable to a wider range of occupations and roles, both in academia and industry. In particular, there are many skills developed in academia that are highly transferrable to industry and vice versa.
In his presentation, Dr. Kieran Guinan outlined several key competences that are highly valued by companies, engaged in applied science and development of new technologies:
- Experimental design;
- Statistical analysis of complex datasets;
- Grant writing;
- Project planning, implementation and coordination.
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| Screenshot from Dr. Dani’s presentation “Interface of academia and industry: Six immensely important transferable skills”. | Screenshot from Dr. Zahmanova’s presentation “Build and guide sustainable technology transfer”. | Screenshot from Mr. O’Sullivan’s presentation “Development of cutting-edge molecular priming tools using applied science approaches and sustainable technologies”. | Screenshot from Dr. Guinan’s presentation “Transferable skills: from academia to industry”. |