Dear Friends and Colleagues,

IFC and infoDev have jointly launched an online discussion on technology transfer, which is the process of sharing knowledge and technologies among institutions who can further develop these technologies by creating new products and services in their domestic markets. The purpose of this online discussion is to explore how developing countries can best facilitate the transfer and commercialization of technology from research institutions - whether from within their domestic institutions; between developing countries; or between developing and industrialized nations.

Through a series of dialogues surrounding an IFC report "IFC Emerging Markets Technology Transfer Facility", IFC and infoDev invite you to participate in this discussion by sharing your experience. In addition, a panel of international experts will provide answers to questions that arise from this report ,as well as insight into the process of technology transfer. Your experience will provide IFC and infoDev with valuable insights into facilitating technology transfer and highlight opportunities for IFC and infoDev to support these efforts.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS

• Louis P. Berneman, Former MD of Penn CTT, Currently CEO of Texelerate
• Richard Cahoon, COO, Cornell Research Foundation
• Patricia Weeks, Former Director of Technology Transfer, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and former president, AUTM
• Jane Muir, Technology Transfer Manager, University of Florida
• K. Vijay Vijayaraghavan, President, STEM (India)
• Nava Swersky Sofer, CEO, Yissum (Hebrew University)
• Michelle Mulder, Technology Transfer Manager, South Africa Medical Research Counsel
• Dirk Radzinski, CEO, Humboldt University Technology Commercialization
• Marcelo Menossi, Professor and Director, UNICAMP Technology Transfer Office, Sao Paulo
• David E. Martin, Executive Chairman – M∙CAM & Fellow, Batten Institute, University of Virginia
  

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

• We invite you to join the online discussion and provide your insights on the following questions:
• How would you define or characterize technology transfer?
• Who are the stakeholders in tech transfer generally? Which of these stakeholders play an active role in commercialization? Which currently do not but should?
• What are the special technology transfer considerations by industry, e.g., health, agriculture and food, information technology, alternative energy?
• What are the unique considerations that come into play when looking at issues of South-South technology transfer?
• What approaches might improve technology flows between developed countries and emerging markets?
• Has the US model been successfully replicated elsewhere? Can it be? More importantly, should it be? What other models exist and what are their strengths, weaknesses, adaptability and implementability?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the US technology commercialization model in the US context? What are the implications for emerging markets?

For further information about infoDev-IFC Technology Transfer collaboration activities, please see the Technology Transfer activity file.

To join the discussion, click here and post your comments.

Thanks for your participation and for being part of infoDev's growing online community.

Sincerely,
Valerie D'Costa
infoDev, Program Manager