The Association of Land Grant and Public Universities has
released a November 2017 report titled, “Technology Transfer Evolution: Driving
Economic Prosperity”. The report
identifies numerous opportunities for technology transfer offices as the system
matures. Importantly, technology
transfer offices should focus on general regional economic development. In reviewing opportunities and providing
examples of successful programs, the report also highlights obstacles. In particular, the report examines, “Redefining
Expectations of Technology Transfer Offices,” and identifies obstacles to a successful,
revisioned technology transfer office that serves to promote local and regional
economic prosperity. The Report states:
• Many senior administrators, faculty, trustees, and alumni
are primarily focused on the revenue generation potential of technology
transfer operations and less on the societal benefits that can be reaped by
moving intellectual property of all kinds into the marketplace, even those that
may not result in immediate, high revenue returns.
• For many institutions, economic development and engagement
as a central mission component is new and has led to confusion regarding the
roles and responsibilities of individuals and units involved, including
technology transfer offices and related professionals. New outreach duties
often require coordination across multiple campuses, schools, departments and
units, which makes collaboration and reporting a challenge. Many technology
transfer offices lack the adequate staff, training, or resources necessary to
meet the evolving expectations placed on them in the context of economic
engagement.
• Institutions sometimes face difficulty in giving credit
where credit is due, for instance, when technology transfer offices are sharing
partnership development responsibilities with other units. On many campuses,
technology transfer offices used to be the main externally facing office for
the university in the realm of business and industry. This is often no longer
the case, and the new reality requires a level of coordination that is not
typical practice. Moreover, reporting lines and measures of success are not
consistent across different kinds of university offices, and it becomes very
difficult to execute strategic, campus-wide partnerships involving external
audiences.
I’ve previously written on
redefining goals of technology transfer offices, here. In redefining technology transfer offices, I
would focus on their role in promoting the education of students within the university. It is important to remember that the primary
method of university knowledge transfer is teacher to student--for sure, patents are important, but let's keep our eye on the ball. The technology transfer office, in
collaboration with faculty, can play an important role in providing valuable
experiential opportunities to students--leading to potential employment opportunities. This places technology transfer offices squarely within the "core" mission (and "business") of the university and fits them nicely with partnerships in academic units that run business clinics, for example. It may even lead to fundraising.
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