Technology Transfer and Knowledge Exchange Training at Newcastle University – Business partnerships development and growth support
As part of the MONUSEN project, the representatives of the University of Montenegro participated in the training session titled "Introduction to Technology Transfer and Knowledge Exchange" at Newcastle University. In addition, this course, which took place in the Henry Daysh Building on the 17th and 19th of April 2024, was also accessible through Zoom. A one-of-a-kind educational opportunity was provided because it was designed for researchers, corporations, and industries interested in transferring technology and exchanging knowledge. The training held on 19th April 2024 was dedicated to presentations about developing business partnerships and supporting business growth and partly to some additional experiences with the technology transfer and commercialization.
Professor Jeff Neasham from University of Newcastle upon Tyne shared his experience and journey through knowledge transfer and commercialization. Professor Neasham mentioned some of the key decisions from the late ‘90s, among which was the decision to move the trial activities to North Sea and other harsh environments, and to pursue the possibility of obtaining a license with agile SMEs. Professor Neasham counted several solutions for ROVs/AUVs which were developed in the period from 2003 to 2024. He stated that the patents are a clear route to exploitation, but their (UNEW’s) achievement is through licensing designs and know-how. What the research staff need is practical skill and application, adaptability, and determination. Also, their experience is valuable outside academia. When it comes to working with industry, there are several conditions to be met, such as commercial awareness, salesmen who understand the demands, and support for customers. What the group is gaining from this process is the impact they make, meaning the increased focus on demonstration of commercial and societal impact, basis for promotion and progression, as well as extra income for research staff and their satisfaction with the job.
Karen Allenby and Chris Angus talked about developing business partnerships and supporting business growth.
Karen Allenby, who is the Business Partnership Manager at Newcastle University, presented the industry engagement, strategic and cultural partnerships. She said Newcastle University was part of an Open Innovation Ecosystem, which is a network of institutions in the public and private sectors whose activities and interactions initiate, import, modify and diffuse technologies and develop the talent and skills to realize benefit from them. Innovation is seen as a 3-step process, from exploration through exploitation to diffusion. Exploration implies scanning and discovery - part of which is understanding business and market needs, idea generation from brainstorming activities and competitions, evaluation and selection – which implies alignment with strategic objectives and feasibility, and development and collaboration, which covers the part of workshops, joint research projects and consortia building.
Partnerships toolkit imply agreements, plans, and monitoring and reporting tools, such as Master Collaboration Agreements (MCAs), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Action Plans, Value Assessment Frameworks and Partner Assessment Reports.
Partnerships build long-term strategic relationships, maximize the research grant success by working with business partners, and maximize the university’s income.
Chris Angus, who is the Head of the Newcastle Universitys Business Support unit, talked about supporting business growth. He mentioned that business development and enterprise activities include, among other things, identification of funding schemes and support for funding applications, identification and protection of intellectual property, and programs and activities to develop relationships with companies.
He explained the difference between Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), which is a 3-way partnership between a business, a University, and a KTP associate, while ARROW is a 3-way partnership between a business, academic and innovation associate. KTP must generate profit or improve productivity, and provide a challenge to the Academic team at the same time. As for the key benefits of KTPs, Mr. Angus mentioned access to the exceptional resources of the university, introduction to new capabilities and embeds knowledge, and provides wider support and opportunities.
On the other hand, Arrow is a publicly funded innovation support programme for regional businesses, which increases innovation in North East businesses by engaging with Newcastle University expertise. Arrow Innovation Support Projects match and align SME innovation demand with expertise from UNEW and Facilities, and provide resources in the form of Arrow Innovation Associates to leverage expertise and deliver agreed innovation tasks to the SME.
Both business and academics benefit from Arrow. Arrow helps businesses achieve innovation goals, accelerate development of new products, process and service, while the academics engage with innovative regional businesses, identify potential collaborators, and have opportunities for student placement.
After attending the workshop, the Montenegrin MONUSEN project team gained a better grasp of the process of forming business relationships and providing growth support.