Unlocking Knowledge: strategies for valorisation via Academy-Industry Collaboration
Barbara Tan (RTTP) serves as a Knowledge Transfer Policy Advisor at the Valorisation Office of the University of Antwerp. She is also actively engaged with YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe, https://yufe.eu/), one of the 44 European University Alliances established since 2019.
In her presentation, she will delve into how the University of Antwerp has developed a vision and strategy to achieve a more effective Knowledge Valorisation. This involves establishing structural partnerships between academia, industry, and other external stakeholders. Barbara’s narrative will emphasize that this endeavor necessitates not only a top-down approach from the university’s central policy but also a bottom-up approach. Daily efforts are to be made by academics, businesses, external stakeholders, and, notably, Knowledge Transfer Managers in order to realize a more purpose driven approach of Knowledge Valorisation. The active participation of academics is just as vital as that of Knowledge Transfer Professionals and companies, and external stakeholders. But the question remains: how can we foster and manage this active involvement? What actions can valorization managers take to increase academics’ motivation for collaboration with Societal Business Actors? How can we built bridges to connect with the outside world and capturing the needs of companies and other ecosystem stakeholders and seeking solutions together? Barbara will share her experiences on how the Valorisation Office at the University of Antwerp tackle this challenges and will present some concrete success stories showcasing how universities can effectively convey their offerings to industries.
