News & Press Cuttings

Businesses and Universities must collaborate, say experts

(3 April 2012)

An event in Durham last week has united representatives from business and academia, in a bid to foster collaboration to drive UK innovation and growth.

Traditionally there has been a disconnect between universities and the needs of the business community, but in the past decade both have realised the benefits of working together to benefit the economy as a whole.

At the ‘Meet the North East Universities - Commercialising University IP and Services’ event, organised by the Electronics Technology Network, speakers discussed the opportunities and challenges facing both parties, as well as the benefits of collaborative working methods. 

The event was held at Durham University's Calman Learning Centre, and Dr Tim Hammond, director of Business and Innovation Services believes that the event signals a shift towards a joined up way of working.

Dr Hammond said: “I think it gives us a great opportunity to bring people together to get the dialogue going between industry and universities.

“There is significant potential to improve idea transfer from the university and also to take business needs and use them to support real commercial needs.”

One of the speakers, Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek Ltd focussed on the importance of the innovation cycle, and the part that Universities can play in creating knowledge which can eventually be commercialised into wealth generating ideas.