Getting Businesses and Research Organisations to Work
Together
Find here the conference brochure!
Malton Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry,
Ireland, 27. Februar 2008
The How to Speak the Same Language Conference is targeted at
businesses with a goal or need to interact more regularly and successfully with
publicly funded research organisations - both within their own catchment areas
and with experts throughout Europe.
As we move, now, into an age of increasing demands on
productivity, a need for new products, processes and improved services; the time
has come for both industry and research organisations to demystify the new
mantra of ‘be innovative’ and to foster an entrepreneurial spirit.
What does innovation and collaboration mean to your company on a daily basis?
How can researchers promote and support greater levels of innovation with
industry? How do businesses know what expertise is available, and whether
it’s available on their own doorsteps? How does one find the right people
to speak to? And, if one gets this far… do both parties speak the same
language?
This conference will bring together a range of experts from both industry and
research backgrounds who will illustrate by example and first-hand experience
what is required in order to effectively engage with each other and give you the
basic tools and insight to understand the benefits of being proactive in terms
of your company’s attitude to innovation.
Recognition of the importance of pursuing innovation from a long-term
perspective is also a consideration, as specifically human capital development
and research are significant issues to consider. With respect to
collaboration between universities and industry, the debate has, until now,
centered on transferring the technology possessed by universities to industry,
through the licensing of patents, for example. From now on, however, we
must place more attention on creating important knowledge. The essential
role of universities consists of both research and education.
Collaboration among companies, universities and research institutes is an
integral and increasingly essential part of the modern ‘open’ innovation
process. Performed well, these collaborations can be highly productive -
enhancing exchange of knowledge and supporting the rapid development of new
technologies and services. However, sound management is needed on all
sides to overcome the well-known problems.
Who should attend this conference?
- Micro, small, medium and large businesses
- Entrepreneurs
- Business support networks and organisations
- Development agencies
- Research organisations and researchers
- Community and Enterprise directors
- Members of Community and Enterprise boards
- Policy makers
This conference is being hosted by the DRIVE for Growth Project partners –
South West Regional Authority and South East Regional Authority Ireland,
Stoke-On-Trent City Council, Staffordshire University, UK, and Kompetenznetzwerk
Mechatronik, Göppingen, Germany.
DRIVE for Growth is co-funded by INTERREG IIIB North West Europe Area.
DRIVE aims to help SMEs to recognise the value of R&D, understand it and use
it to their commercial advantage. The partners are working to transform
the cooperation between research institutions and SMEs into a partnership to
foster development and production, economic growth and
employment.