75 Polish scientists have spent their summer in Cambridge, learning how to manage collaborative research projects and bring high-technology products to market.

They have been here as part of Poland’s ‘Top 500 Innovators’ programme, set up by the Polish government to help bridge the gap between academia and business. The scientists’ nine-week stay was organised by Cambridge Enterprise, the commercialisation arm of the University, as part of its International Outreach Programme (IOP). IOP put together a wide-ranging schedule of training and practical activities to share the University’s considerable expertise in knowledge transfer and equip the scientists with the skills to apply what they have learnt.

The IfM, through its dissemination arm, IfM ECS has extensive experience of using research-based tools and techniques to help companies turn R&D into successful businesses. IfM ECS was, therefore, ideally placed to share its knowledge of innovation and technology management with the Polish scientists. They learnt about roadmapping, choosing the right technology projects and managing them effectively from Dr Nicky Athanassopoulou and about marketing new technologies from Dr Imoh Ilevbare. Dr Letizia Mortara, from the IfM’s Centre for Technology Management, shared tools and techniques for identifying threats and opportunities presented by new technologies. Tomas Coates Ulrichsen, from the IfM’s Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, talked about developing successful strategic partnerships between industry and academia.

The group was also taken to an innovation hub in Norfolk, the Hethel Engineering Centre, by Industrial Fellow John McManus to gain an insight into the ways in which technology parks develop in the UK. They talked to a number of the companies based there and compared the Polish and UK approaches to fostering innovation.

For more information, please contact Kate Willsher E: kew54@cam.ac.uk

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