Technology Transfer in Higher Education

The integration of technology transfer in higher education has emerged as a crucial conduit for the proliferation of knowledge and innovation. Delving into this importance, this study first embarks on a comprehensive literature review to unravel the quintessential role of research and development (R&D) in shaping university outcomes. Beyond the precincts of the university, the ecosystem development further encompasses stakeholders, individuals from higher education communities, and external partners. This extended ecosystem acts as a linchpin in the realm of university commercialization, forging productive partnerships, nurturing industry collaborations, and thereby casting a discernible socio-economic influence at the local level. While a thriving R&D and an expansive ecosystem signal immediate success, they are not definitive harbingers of sustainable competitiveness in an unpredictable higher education landscape. Recognizing this, the research adopts a dual approach: amalgamating literature insights with empirical data, the latter gathered through a meticulous questionnaire survey and workshops. Business process modelling is utilized as a methodological tool to sculpt an adaptive framework tailored for technology transfer. Data from the Tetris1 projects further enhance the study's empirical robustness, ensuring the model, though foundational, remains amenable to real-world adaptations. In summation, this thesis serves as a reference for higher education institutions, providing options for improving their technology transfer processes. By presenting an adaptable reference model and emphasizing the overarching ecosystem's role, the research equips universities and their partners to not merely excel today but to retain adaptability and competitiveness for the challenges of tomorrow.