htto.org

On 26.06 in Burgas, a meeting was held between representatives of Technology Transfer Office (TTO) - Burgas, result of the implementation of the project “Establishment of a Technology Transfer Office” at University ‘Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” funded by the PHARE Program of the EU and members of the project team of  the PHARE Program 2005 Technical Assistance for the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) in the implementation of the PHARE project “Support for the implementation of the National innovative strategy of Bulgaria”. The meeting is part of the implementation of the project, which is related to the provision of support for the newly-established technology transfer offices at nine institutions of higher education in Bulgaria.

Dr. Lisa Cowey from Oxford Innovation, UK and Dr. Catherine Peters from the international consultancy SQW consulting are coming to Burgas for the meeting. Dr Cawy, who has worked at Oxford Instruments plc, UK, EURUS Technologies USA, Aventis Superconductors GmbH, (part of Alcatel Kable Group) and QMC Instruments Ltd, UK, is the leader of the project team. During the past seven years she has assisted universities and scientific teams in the commercialization of technologies and knowledge in the field of research and development through cooperation, licensing and the foundation of new firms (spinout).

Dr. Peters is the head of the consultancy company SQW consulting, an international expert in the area of science-technological parks. She is a member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) and the UK Science Parks Association (UKSPA). Currently, she manages a preliminary project study of the Agro-technological Park and is an international expert on diversification strategies.

The opportunities for the development of TTO-Burgas at University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” will be discussed at the meeting, with a focus on the assessment of the innovative potential of the research teams. Specific issues like protection of intellectual property of university teams, the practices of spin-off companies in England and EU, will also be discussed, as well as the increase of innovative activity in the region of Burgas. Part of the discussions will be related to the sustainability of the university project - the opportunities for the establishment of science and industrial park in Burgas and for securing the stability in the relationship between business and science.