TÜBİTAK President met with the university representatives receiving TTO support.

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TÜBİTAK President Prof. Hasan Mandal met with the rector and vice rectors and also the technology transfer office managers of the 20 universities that started to be supported in 2013 and 2014 within the scope of 1513 Technology Transfer Offices Support Program. The Member of Supervisory Board of Higher Education Council, Dr. Orhan Aydin also, attended the meeting.

The participants were briefed about the role of technology transfer offices in the scope of qualified human resources in Turkey’s research, technology development and innovation ecosystem and in line with the strategy of qualified knowledge production. Besides, the support mechanisms for the technology transfer offices to be given in the new period were introduced.

THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT REACHED TO 88.3 MILLION LIRAS IN 5 YEARS

During his speech in the opening of the meeting, Prof. Dr Mandal focused primarily on the TTO's existing sources of income and stated that TUBITAK has transferred a total of 88.3 million TL to the TTOs over the past 5 years. Prof. Mandal also added that according to the 2016-2017 activity reports, the vast majority of TTOs have a low self-sufficiency which needs to be improved.

Providing brief information on research competence, intellectual property and economic value creation performances of these 20 universities, Prof. Mandal also shared the strategic approach of TUBITAK in 2018 and beyond.

THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES WITH HIGHER PERFORMANCES WILL BE AWARDED

Prof. Mandal stated that, the TTOs will be supported by a new target and performance focused system and added that “As a result of the amendment in 1513 Implementation Principles, the rate of support will vary according to performance between 40-60 %, instead of a 60 % fixed support rate. The targets will be determined with negotiations and consensus with TTOS and these targets will be taken as basis in the monitoring of performance.” In line with the aim of promoting sustainability, TÜBİTAK President also told that the targets will be determined and performance will be monitored with Module 3, 4 and 5 focused and measurable performance indicators by adding that “High performance TTOs will be awarded and low performance TTOs will be encouraged to take corrective / remedial measures.

By stating the purpose as supporting technology transfer offices with a methodology consistent with R&D and innovation strategies and building a dynamic structure that continuously develops itself through cooperation and learning, Prof Mandal stated that it is also possible to determine and disseminate good practices in technology transfer offices with a new support system based on performance.

QUALIFIED PEOPLE AND KNOWLEDGE FOCUSING ON NATIONAL TARGETS

Prof. Mandal explained their basic strategy as qualified people and qualified knowledge focused on national targets in the research, technology development and innovation ecosystem and added that they will act with measurable performance indicators consistent with strategic targets, taking into consideration the 11th Development Plan and the Industrial Strategy Document.

Stating that there is a need for human resource mobility to provide university-industry information flow between the sectors, TÜBİTAK President also emphasized promotion of current human resources to get a PhD degree, the training of the human resources with PhD degree for the industry and the training of staff with PhD degree to work in the projects companies to be rivals in the private sector.

The TTO officials also took floor during the meeting and focused on the problems and solution recommendations encountered in practice.

 

09.04.2018