DRIVE Conference February 27th 2008

How to Speak the Same Language

Getting Businesses and Research Organisations to Work Together

Malton Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry,  Ireland
February 27th 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE  New Speaker added to Conference Programme - Dr. Shoumen Datta, Research Director & Co-founder, MIT Forum for Supply Chain Innovation - click here to go to updated programme
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The How to Speak the Same Language Conference is targeted at businesses with a goal or need to interact more regularly and successfully with publicly funded research organisations - both within their own catchment areas and with experts throughout Europe.

As we move, now, into an age of increasing demands on productivity, a need for new products, processes and improved services; the time has come for both industry and research organisations to demystify the new mantra of ‘be innovative’ and to foster an entrepreneurial spirit.

What does innovation and collaboration mean to your company on a daily basis? How can researchers promote and support greater levels of innovation with industry? How do businesses know what expertise is available, and whether it’s available on their own doorsteps? How does one find the right people to speak to? And, if one gets this far… do both parties speak the same language?

This conference will bring together a range of experts from both industry and research backgrounds who will illustrate by example and first-hand experience what is required in order to effectively engage with each other and give you the basic tools and insight to understand the benefits of being proactive in terms of your company’s attitude to innovation.

Recognition of the importance of pursuing innovation from a long-term perspective is also a consideration, as specifically human capital development and research are significant issues to consider. With respect to collaboration between universities and industry, the debate has, until now, centered on transferring the technology possessed by universities to industry, through the licensing of patents, for example. From now on, however, we must place more attention on creating important knowledge. The essential role of universities consists of both research and education.

Collaboration among companies, universities and research institutes is an integral and increasingly essential part of the modern ‘open’ innovation process. Performed well, these collaborations can be highly productive - enhancing exchange of knowledge and supporting the rapid development of new technologies and services. However, sound management is needed on all sides to overcome the well-known problems.

Who should attend this conference?

  • Micro, small, medium and large businesses
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Business support networks and organisations
  • Development agencies
  • Research organisations and researchers
  • Community and Enterprise directors
  • Members of Community and Enterprise boards
  • Policy makers

This conference is being hosted by the DRIVE for Growth Project partners – South West Regional Authority and South East Regional Authority Ireland, Stoke-On-Trent City Council, Staffordshire University, UK, and Kompetenznetzwerk Mechatronik, Göppingen, Germany.

DRIVE for Growth is co-funded by INTERREG IIIB North West Europe Area. DRIVE aims to help SMEs to recognise the value of R&D, understand it and use it to their commercial advantage. The partners are working to transform the cooperation between research institutions and SMEs into a partnership to foster development and production, economic growth and employment.


Click here to view the conference programme.


Click here to register online now.