Commercialisation staff from research organisations across New Zealand and Australia will be developing their expertise and abilities in transferring technologies to industry hands next week. The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet), a consortium of New Zealand universities and crown research institutes collaborating on research commercialisation, are partnering with Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) to present the KCA Fundamentals of Technology Transfer Course to New Zealand for the first time.

WaikatoLink Chief Executive Duncan Mackintosh, a KiwiNet member and Vice Chair of KCA says, “We’re really pleased to be able to offer KCA’s course for the first time in New Zealand to all research organisations in response to strong demand for commercialisation training. By improving commercialisation capability in our research organisations we can achieve greater commercial outcomes for the country.”

Held over two days on September 20th and 21st in Auckland, the course targeted at recently recruited commercialisation staff will cover the various elements associated taking technologies to market including: inventions, patents and copyright: legal issues; negotiating and licensing, evaluating opportunities, marketing and managing the relationship.

Dr Alastair Hick, Vice Chair Professional Development KCA says, “The Trans-Tasman partnership between KCA and KiwiNet will allow budding tech transfer professionals across New Zealand and Australia to develop key relationships and ultimately identify collaboration opportunities in the future. This course is one of a number of initiatives in place to foster our Trans-Tasman partnership and we are pleased to run this course in New Zealand, after successful courses in Australia in 2009 and 2011.”

Nigel Slaughter, General Manager Commercial at WaikatoLink, a speaker at the workshop says, “Attendees will be exposed to high caliber speakers, interactive activities and practical examples. We will also be able to gain valuable materials and expertise to continue providing fundamental knowledge and skills to up and coming commercialisation staff in the future.”

Attendees at the KCA Fundamentals of Technology Transfer Course can gain valuable credits towards a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) qualification, an internationally recognised accreditation in the profession.