EFFECTIVE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ACTIVITIES: CLOSER LINKAGES SMEHEI AND FORESIGHT METHODS

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EFFECTIVE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ACTIVITIES
CLOSER LINKAGES SME/HEI AND FORESIGHT METHODS
The IRE Knowledge Transfer Working Group Anne
Conaty Northern Ireland
23d May 2007, Ennis
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Session I Projects and Initiatives to
facilitate KT between SMEs, HEIs and others
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FUSION

• Background
• Launched in 2001 by InterTradeIreland (the
  Cross-Border Trade Body)
• All-island technology transfer initiative
  operating across the island of Ireland
• Facilitates cross-border tri-partite partnerships
  and projects between companies with technology
  based development needs, academic institutes and
  graduates
• Innovative feature
• Promotes the transfer and embedding of
  technology on a cross-border basis

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FUSION

• Results and Outcomes
• 61 projects were supported under the pilot
  programme between 2001 and 2004
• A further 144 projects were supported under the
  roll-out stage between 2004 and 2007
• Altogether the programme has provided assistance
  totalling 19.4m which has levered an estimated
  additional 24m from industry
• A third programme is currently under development

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• Aims to extend the range and depth of knowledge
  transfer collaboration between NIs Higher and
  Further Education sectors with a primary focus on
  the needs of business
• Investment of 3m over 3 years commencing April
  2007
• Eligible activities will include
• - supporting the infrastructure and capability
  to transfer knowledge from the universities and
  FE colleges into business
• - acquiring new technology focused on the
  generation of solutions to real world problems
  (including training in their application) and
• - working to promote networking, staff exchanges
  and placements between the universities and the
  FE colleges