N. 12, Dec.2003 -Jan. 2004 
Editorial 

Europe's knowledge economy greets new "baby": ProTon Europe
Ernst Max Nielsen
Network Manager of ProTon Europe
(Photo: Gilles Capart, Chairman of ProTon Europe)

 
It was an impressive moment when Gilles Capart from Sopartec (Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve) in Belgium announced the birth of a new "baby" in the European knowledge economy. Capart's message was heard by 200 delegates from 106 technology transfer offices (TOs) linked to universities and public research organisations (PROs) in 25 European countries, who had signed up for the first Annual Conference of ProTon Europe in Valencia on 20-21 November 2003. A new organisation was born and greeted by an almost unanimous vote to form ProTon Europe as a new international association of innovation professionals from PROs in Europe.

Before that historic moment, the delegates had filled the more than 20 workshops centred around 5 themes and engaged in debate inspired by 50 presentations delivered by speakers from 15 different countries.

How was this made possible? By the extraordinary effort by some 50 PROs to kick off ProTon Europe through networking, workshops and other preparatory work throughout 2003. The network is funded by the European Commission, is part of Gate2Growth.com and is actively supported by a number of international and national associations such as EARMA, TII, AURIL and UNICO (UK), RedOTRI (E) and C.U.R.I.E (F).

ProTon Europe aims to raise general professional standards and increase the exploitation of research results through the exchange of knowledge and good practice among its members. Its objectives are:

  • Stimulating the exchange of working methods, operating procedures and professional know-how relating to the transfer of knowledge/technology from universities and public research centres to industry

  • Creating a knowledge library that spreads good practice among university TOs in the EU, Candidate and Associated States

  • Monitoring European trends and developments in the area of research-industry knowledge transfer

  • Benchmarking technology commercialisation activities across Europe

  • Identifying the skills and training required to create a more dynamic transfer office

  • Giving a stronger European identity to the TO profession, lobbying in its favour at national and European level and enhancing innovation policy

  • Organising training sessions, seminars, workshops and international conferences for the dissemination of research, experience and good practice in all aspects of research-industry technology transfer

  • Promoting entrepreneurship, the uptake of spin-off support schemes and the creation of science-based companies

Ernst Max Nielsen, the network manager, stated, "We have an exciting offer for the innovation professionals in Europe. We urge members to contribute themselves and learn from others. Our 13 working groups are preparing to roll out more than 50 workshops about key topics selected and developed by the profession itself starting by mid-June 2004. Each year we will have our Annual Conference (the next will be 25-27 November 2004). These events will be co-organised with the existing associations and networks in Europe." The key topics of the network comprise: Structure & management of TOs, Patenting and IPR Management, Licensing, University-Industry, Policy, Training & Continuous Professional Development.

Ernst Max Nielsen continued: "Our Staff Exchange programme will allow members to visit other members to learn through co-funded 5 day visits. We have launched a temporary online Survey, which allows us to assess the situation, needs and wishes of our members, in terms of services, training and policy positions. By the end of 2004, this will have become a European online Observatory. We are developing an advanced Knowledge Management tool, which will help organize all the good practice material our members have in store and wish to share" - (eventually on the web sites www.gate2growth.com and www.protoneurope.org).

ProTon Europe has two categories of members, the PROs themselves and other innovation professionals from private companies, service providers, government agencies etc. These types of organisations may apply for membership by contacting the secretariat located in Brussels (Tel +32-2211-3432) or on the abovementioned web sites. Membership is free in 2004, but the association will expect members to contribute actively to the exchange and review of good practices and in the planned networking events.