At its annual conference held last week in Cardiff, entitled ‘Innovation through Co-operation’, ProTon Europe stressed the need for the European Union Member States to continue to invest in research and development and innovation.  

According to the ProTon Europe statement issued after the conference, such investment is necessary in the present economic crisis if Europe is to achieve sustainable economic advantage. The Association also highlighted the importance of establishing long-term strategic partnerships between universities and industry which are essential for the development of collaborative R&D and the commercialisation of the resulting intellectual property.  In addition, greater collaboration within and between institutions will be prerequisite for the achievement of effective and meaningful knowledge transfer. 

Rt. Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister of Wales and Dr Pat Frain at the Opening of the ProTon Europe 2009 Conference in Cardiff

ProTon Europe is the European knowledge transfer association. Established in 2003, ProTon’s membership includes 220 knowledge transfer offices and a network of 10 national partner associations comprising over 500 knowledge transfer offices together employing some 2000 knowledge transfer professionals. 

Speaking at the annual conference, Dr Pat Frain, Chair of ProTon Europe and the Director of NovaUCD, said, “It is widely accepted that the return to industrial and economic growth will be aided by the generation and commercialisation of new innovative ideas, many of which will have their origins in the research undertaken in universities and other Public Research Organisations (PROs).  Many countries therefore, including Ireland, are continuing to invest heavily in university research in an effort to increase their competitiveness by enhancing the knowledge-intensity of existing industry, attracting and retaining higher quality foreign investment and developing new high-tech ventures”. NovaUCD is the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin.   

ENDS

4 February 2009

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: (01) 716 3712.

Editor’s Notes

ProTon Europe – Cardiff Statement on Innovation Through Cooperation in Full

At its Conference on ‘Innovation through cooperation’ PROTON EUROPE stressed the need for Member States to continue to invest in research & development and innovation.  Such investment is necessary in the present economic crisis if we are to achieve sustainable economic advantage.  The Association also highlighted the importance of establishing long-term strategic partnerships between universities and industry which are essential for the development of collaborative R&D and the commercialisation of the resulting intellectual property.  In addition, greater collaboration within and between institutions will be prerequisite for the achievement of effective and meaningful knowledge transfer.

Universities must adopt knowledge transfer strategies that are in line with best international practice.  Innovation needs to be regarded as an integral part of the mission of a university alongside research and teaching.  To facilitate an agile response to the current crisis, university, industry and government need to become more flexible in the interpretation of their roles and responsibilities as well as in promoting the harmonisation of regulations.

The costs and complexity of the European patent system must be reduced to facilitate the commercialisation of intellectual property developed by universities and PROs. For a common market to be effective, it must have a single legal system for ownership, protection and management of intellectual property.  

Universities need to provide greater incentives for academics and researchers interested in setting up new high tech ventures.  Notably they should be more flexible in granting leave of absence to researchers wishing to establish their own businesses.  Academic recruitment, promotion procedures and remuneration should take account of experience in innovation and commercialisation.  Also, it is essential to enable researchers and KT professional to move across national borders and sectors in the Triple Helix (Government-Industry-Universities) without loss of pension or other rights.

Greater emphasis needs to be placed on increasing the recognition and status of the Knowledge Transfer profession in higher education and all other sectors of the economy. In accordance with the Commission’s Code of Practice, Universities should put in place the elements of professional development and career progression for knowledge transfer professionals.

Dr Pat Frain, was elected Chair of ProTon Europe in March 2008 and is the first Irishman to Chair the Association. Dr Frain is also the Director of NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin.