The expert meeting “Technology Transfer at the University of Zagreb”, one of the goals of which was to consider potential further concrete steps in order for technology transfer to show better scientific and commercial results, was held on Wednesday in the auditorium of the University of Zagreb.

The aim of the meeting is also to open various issues related to the transfer of technology and research at universities in general, the operation of startup and spin-off companies, etc., announced the University of Zagreb. The moderator of the discussion, the vice-rector for innovation, technology transfer and cooperation with the economy of the University of Zagreb, Tomislav Josip Mlinarić, pointed out that the University is launching a series of initiatives in the field of technology transfer and innovation. He expressed the readiness of the University to provide the constituents with even stronger support in these complex processes and emphasized the importance of developing and launching technology transfer projects at the constituent level.

Photo: University of Zagreb

He also announced the establishment of the Economic Council of the University of Zagreb and the intensification of concrete cooperation with the economy. Head of the post-graduate specialist study Intellectual Property Romana Matanovac Vučković from the Faculty of Law noted that the University has developed a legal framework for the management of intellectual property. She emphasized that the legal framework is made up of employees and students on its components in order to encourage the transfer of technology, creativity and knowledge towards the economy and to create new products, services, processes and procedures.

“It is necessary to commercialize intellectual property created using public finances and other resources for the benefit of society in the process of responsible commercialization,” she asserted. From the temporary head of the Center for Research, Development and Technology Transfer of the University of Zagreb, Vlatka Petrović recalled the support for technology transfer at the University of Zagreb, and the director of the Directorate for Science and Technology in the Ministry of Science and Education, Hrvoje Meštrić, presented the national guidelines for the transfer of technology and knowledge and corresponding programs and public calls.

Photo: University of Zagreb

Meštrić noted that 25 million euros in grants have already been secured, which are available for technology transfer, and added that another 30 million euros are expected soon for this area. The gathering was attended by vice-chancellors and deans, vice-deans for science, heads of scientific centers of excellence, representatives of incubators, entrepreneurial and investment programs, and other participants. At the meeting, it was announced that a competition for the enrollment of a new generation of participants in the post-graduate specialist interdisciplinary study Intellectual Property at the beginning of May 2023. The program of this study is intended for individuals from all professions, since it is aimed at acquiring specialist knowledge about the methods and content of legal protection and the management of intellectual property in the process technology transfer.