The document summarizes research and innovation activities at the University of Patras in Greece. It discusses the university's history and research performance, the work of the Innovation & Technology Transfer Office (ITTO) to link research results with industry, and recommendations to strengthen technology transfer. The ITTO works to identify funding opportunities, support patents and spin-offs, network researchers, and disseminate research, but it is limited by small staff and resources as well as the regional environment.

1. Research and Innovation at the University
of Patras: The case of the Innovation &
Technology Transfer Office (ITTO)
Nikolaos Avouris
Deputy Rector for Research & Developemnt
University of Patras, Greece
Regional Policy Improvement for Financially Sustainable Creative Incubator Units
PARTNER MEETING, THEMATIC SEMINAR AND STUDY VISIT Patras - 4-6 June 2013

2. The University of Patras
History of 50 years. Public institution. Over 20
departments, student population of over
20,000 and a faculty of 700+
It maintains a competitive research record. Third
parties research funds in 2012 around 35 M. €

3. Ranking in world University lists
According to QS World University Ranking for academic year
2012 U.Patras is in the group of 600+ Univeristities. In 5th
position among over 90 higher education institutions in
Greece
Source: www.topuniversities.com

4. Excellence in diverse fields
Source: www.topuniversities.com

5. High in funded research
(#63th in Europe, #3 in GR)
# Institution Score
1 FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS 33.29
2 NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS 33.1
3 UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS 32.11
4 CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS 31.75
5 NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS 29.78
6 INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS 29.18
7 HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH 28.62
8 NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH "DEMOKRITOS" 26.22
9 UNIVERSITY OF CRETE 25.72
1
0
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CRETE 23.11
(http://www.researchranking.org EU Funding score in 2012)

6. U.Patras Research Committee
The Special Account of Research
Funds of the University of Patras was
established according to the Common
Ministerial Decision no. KA/679/1996
that foresees the creation of "Special
Accounts" in Higher Education Institutes
in Greece, with the objective the
management of funds targeting to the
Research and Development. Transition
now to a different legal entity (for profit
S.A.)
The administration of the Special
Account is done by the Research
Committee with the responsibility
of:
• -Proposing the research policy
to the Senate
• - Administration of research
projects
• - Propose and execute the
Budget of the Special Account
• - Definition of the Funding
Guide
• Informing the scientific
community of the University on
funding opportunities
• Supporting young researchers
through scholarships
http://research.upatras.gr/

7. Innovation and Technology Transfer
• Short term plan: Establishing links between
research results and industry
• Long term plan: Build a Regional Centre for
Innovation and Technology transfer
The Riganokambos Project:
In the phase of planning

8. Innovation and Technology
Transfer Office
A structure sponsored by the University of Patras Research
Committee, established 5 years ago.
Activities :
A. Research Directory: index of research units and their fields
B. Field Map: Identify and follow the local and national sectors
relevant to U.Patras researchers
C. Identify funding opportunities for technology transfer
D. Innovation support (patterns, spin offs, etc.)
E. Dissemination of research results
F. Business opportunities and needs

9. http://itto.upatras.gr

10. Α. Research Directory
• Directory of research units:
– their research infrastructure and key researchers with
their research profiles and interests according to fields of
EU http://rdo.upatras.gr
• Directory of research networks
• Service laboratories
• Innovation directory (spin offs, patents)

11. rdo.upatras.gr
Index of research capital of the University organized in
sectors and thematic areas
Objective: To maintain a portal that provides access to
the research capital of the University.
Perspective: Low
usage record, high
effort to maintain.
Alternative solutions
to harvest research
portals (researchgate,
academia, etc.)
and/or use a CRIS
system.

12. Β. Field Mapping and Networking
• Regional partners /
– Local government, Entrepreneurs'’ associations, chambers of
commerce and industry
• Mapping of industrial partners to active research groups
• Identify areas of technology with high demand and their
key requirements
• Identify and collaborate with other regional, national and
international technology transfer institutions

13. C. Funding and networking opportunities
for technology transfer
• Presentation and linking to Funding Calls and
Funding opportunities.
• Dissemination of calls.
• Support for funding bids preparation.

14. D. Innovation support
Support for exploitation of research results,
technology transfer and IPR management
• Support and advise on Patents applications.
• Support for Spin Off creation.
• Support for Laboratories Certification.
• Seeking partners for funding and commercial exploitation of
research results.
• Consultancy for innovation, technology transfer and business
creation

15. Ε. Dissemination of research
results
• Support for dissemination of technological services and
exploitation of research results.
• Networking with technology transfer organizations at
national and European level.
• Intensify relations between researchers of the University
of Patras and industry in the region and the world.
• Processes and Information dissemination for ethical
issues in research.

16. F. Business opportunities and needs
o Screening and contacting industrial partners per sector
of activity
o R&D department for improvement and creation
new products
o Research problems and needs
o Implementation of research ideas
o Training in business practices for students and
researchers of the University of Patras (this is the main
activity of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Unit (IEU) of
the Careers Office - Coordination is needed, the latter
is funded by structural funds).
o Technology transfer seminars for the industry
o Asking successful entrepreneurs to act as legal advisors
and mentors of young students.
o Tools for search of partners for new products .

17. University Networks
42 Interdisciplinary Research Networks in 5
Clusters:
- Information and
Communication Technologies
- New Materials and
Constructions
- Environment and
Sustainable Development
- Bio-medicine and bio-
engineering
- Education and Human
Resources

18. Networking activities

19. ProTon: The European Knowledge Transfer
Association

20. Patras IQ
Joint Technology
Transfer Expo
University of Patras and
Chamber of Achaia
December 2012

21. Patras IQ 2012
Over 100 researchers of the University of presented research activities and
innovative results in fields like: Energy and Environment, Health,
Geology, Food, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Nano technology and
materials, Manufacturing and Constructions, Computer Science,
Transports, Electronics and Telecommunications, Space technology.
There are plans to
make PATRAS IQ a
periodic event with
participation of
research and industry
further afield.
Patras IQ: P. Marlafekas, (President of Chamber of Achaia), P. Groumbos,
A. Tzes (professors of U. Patras), G.Panayiotakis, Rector U.Patras

22. Open targeted meetings
• Objective of the meetings is the presentation of
research results and technologies relevant to a
sector to stakeholders concerned by members of the
research community.
• They are organized jointly with the local chamber.
Widespread publicity and targeted mobilization of
the sector usually takes place beforehand.
• 3 partnerships were established in recent months
while more are in negotiation phase.

23. ΙΤΤΟ external evaluation
January 2013
Evaluator: Paul Van Dun (Director of Research Development of KU Leuven)
Objective: Evaluation of University of Patras activities and its environment
(scientific and industrial partners)
Evaluation recommendations:
• Support of the ITT Office and technology transfer activity by the University
of Patras
• Support for technology transfer at the regional level
• Patents and entrepreneurship culture
• Methods for mobilization of researchers in innovative research
• Funding up to proof-of-concept level
• Flow of information and communication between ΙΤΤΟ & Research
Committee
• High Potential of Science Park

24. Upatras ITTO in summary
• Overall: More support is needed to become a
mainstream activity (link to education, lifelong
learning, research results, University mission
statement and strategic plan)
– Small human resources allocated, specialized personnel
needed
– Working under an adverse political and business
environment.
– Active mostly at regional level.
– Success stories: PATRAS IQ and Targeted Sector Meetings
– Lack of coordination with the Careers Office structure
– Research Directory not as effective as expected.

25. more….
itto.upatras.gr
research.upatras.gr