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Technology transfer intern programme links commercialisation professionals in New Zealand and South Africa
Hamilton, New Zealand, 15 March 2011 - WaikatoLink, the technology transfer company of the University of Waikato, and
the Department of Science and Technology (DST), South Africa are sharing commercialisation expertise and building global
linkages through a Technology Transfer Internship Training Programme.
WaikatoLink's five week technology transfer intern programme, designed to enhance technology management capabilities and
commercialisation skills, has its third intake of interns from South Africa, who all have roles in technology transfer
at publically financed institutions.
Duncan Mackintosh, Acting Chief Executive, WaikatoLink says, "Leveraging real world experience is a great way to build
technology management and commercialisation skills. Interns gain experience first-hand through working with Waikatolink
licensing and technology transfer professionals on projects in WaikatoLink's pipeline or by working on their own
technology transfer office projects."
McLean Sibanda, Chief Executive Officer of The Innovation Hub and former Group Executive Commercialisation at the
Technology Innovation Agency in South Africa and advisor to the Department of Science & Technology (DST) says, "We want to make the most of the intellectual property and innovation in our publicly funded
institutions to help drive economic transformation. To achieve the best commercialisation outcomes we're boosting our
technology transfer functions and adopting the best processes and customising them for the South African Research
environment. WaikatoLink is a top performer internationally so we're very keen to understand their processes."
Two groups of interns from South Africa interns have already successfully completed the experiential training programme,
designed in association with the DST, which covers the operations of a technology transfer office and the technology
commercialisation process from initial invention and opportunity identification by inventors through to a successful
commercialisation outcome which will generate return for stakeholders, and transfer knowledge.
Learning modules include market research, technology development, intellectual property management, deal preparation
and the investment ready process, venture management and post deal support, strategy and business development,
accounting and finance, marketing and public relations, and relationship and network building. Following the residential
programme interns continue to access WaikatoLink mentors virtually. Organisations can also adopt WaikatoLink IT systems
and processes, customised to suit their environment.
Mr Sibanda says, "The intern programme is proving to be a successful capacity building initiative for South Africa's
newly established National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and our research institutions. Interns are
learning the nuts and bolts of IP based commercial opportunities with particular emphasis on commercialisation of
publicly financed R and reducing IP leakage from the country. Increasing opportunity identification and deal flow from institutions will
dramatically improve the returns on innovation and create valuable new companies, jobs and revenue streams."
Representatives from WaikatoLink will visit South Africa later in the year to continue the exchange of knowledge and to
further develop key connections. Mr Mackintosh says, "The collaboration is proving to be very mutually beneficial. We're
learning a great deal from our South African counterparts and we're forging some great connections. We're looking
forward to our upcoming visit and hope to work on more joint initiatives together in the future."
WaikatoLink's Technology Transfer Internship Training Programme is open to local and international organisations.
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