university–enterprise cooperation

enterprise for development of products or
services that are based on a higher or high
technology and thus enable their growth
and development. The idea emerged at the
University of Rijeka in 1994, following the
example of technology centers in Europe.
Enterpreneurs who have a registered firm
or those without one but with products
or services that are based on innovation,
high or higher technology can join TIC and
thus shorten and ease the path of the idea,
innovation, knowledge, product or service
to market commercialization. To this end,
Technology Innovation Center Rijeka founded
FIPRO Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is
financing entrepreneurs with products/services
of high and higher technology which heve not
been given due attention so far, although
their business is riskier than other forms of
entrepreneurship. The above disadvantages
were partly mitigated by the existence of the
Foundation for the financing of prototype
development. TIC has been operating since
1998. Since then, 35 enterprises with more
than 400 highly educated professionals have
passed through TIC, 15 prototypes have been
made, 20 seminars have been held, TIC has
participated in two EU projects, and several
innovative projects have been realized.
Engagement of the University, local
community (Union of Primorsko-Goranska
County‘s innovators, Center for innovation and
technology transfer) and economy (Technology
Center, Inc., Tech-nova Ltd.) as regards
making conditions for effective technology
transfer, and positive atmosphere in the form
of encouraging innovation and innovators, is
successfully continued by organizing the annual
International fair of new technologies and
products. The goal of the Fair is to connect the
economy based on new technologies, science
and innovation with young population and to
promote technological achievements to the
general public.
4.2.2.3 University of Zagreb
www.unizg.hr
Research Strategy of the University of
Zagreb 2008-2013 among other things
defines the objectives and tasks related to
the strengthening of cooperation between
the academic community and the economy
as regards joint projects and technology
transfer. In September 2009, University also
adopted the Innovation strategy, which
further confirms and elaborates those
guidelines.
The Technology Transfer Office
(http://technology.unizg.hr/), University of
Zagreb, was founded in January 2008. so
as to encourage and support, through
their activities, the commercialization
of innovative research results and new
knowledge that emerge at the University.
Office operation has been supported almost
from the beginning through the Project of
technology development by the Ministry
of science, technology and sport, which
is also financed by the World Bank. The
Technology Transfer Office conducts the
commercialization of innovative research
results in accordance with the Regulation
act of the Technology Transfer Office. The
Office is designed as a service to researchers,
and the help it provides includes:
commercialization of innovative research
results, intellectual property management
in research and development projects,
assistance in establishing cooperation with
the economy, information and education
(workshops, lectures) of researchers as
regards protection and commercialization
of intellectual property, collaboration with
industry and academic entrepreneurship.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval
Architecture, University of Zagreb, founded
the Center for Technology Transfer Ltd. –
CTT (www.fsb.hr/ctt/index.html) in 1996.
CTT mission and goals are:
• Improving the technological processes
in the Republic of Croatia, primarily for
the needs of Mechanical Engineering
and Naval Architecture;
• Linking science and technology with economy;
• Launching innovative projects aimed at
sustainable development;
• Life-long training of experts from the
economy aimed at successful technology
transfer processes and the increase of
domestic industry competitiveness.
49
Current state in the WBC region 4