UTEN Training Week #4: Best Practices in University-Industry Relations

1 Sep 2010

The fourth 2010 UTEN Training Week took place in Porto July 19-20, 2010, at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto.

Under the theme “Best Practices in University-Industry Relations: Setting Up and Managing an Industrial Liaison Office (ILO)," the training week provided participants with real-world examples of how ILO’s have been established to date. Facilitators shared “lessons learned" and encouraged participants to consider the future and leading-edge practices. They provided a proven framework for the establishment of such offices and programs in UTEN member universities. The goal was to help participants to meet their specific research and commercialization objectives as well as to create greater regional and international partnerships for economic growth.

Three primary areas were addressed:

• “Developing a strategy”
• “Structure and Programs”
• “Talent and Relationships”

Facilitators used hands-on training. Invited experts included Bill Catlett, associate director, UT Austin Office of Sponsored Projects, and acting director, UT Austin Center for Emerging Technology Commercialization, and Anthony Boccanfuso, executive director, University Industry Demonstration Partnership at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.