Ecosystem Development Activities

1.1 Studies on Formation and Development of National Ecosystem

With different activities it has organized as of 2008, USIMP has pointed out the problems of national R&D, innovation and entrepreneurship system, bring them up for discussion and tried to make them become a current issue. And as of 2012, USIMP, as a NGO, has also made significant contributions to the studies on creating a Technology Transfer Office Model which is flexible to be adapted to different local needs special to our country and which may be used at national level. In the period of 2010-2013, these issues are discussed at workshops organized by USIMP with support of different international (AUTM, ASTP, EEN - European Enterprise Network etc.) and national stakeholders.

Besides, these matters are emphasized in the reports submitted primarily to the Ministry of Science, İndustry and Technology and their relevant departments and TUBITAK and published, and a “National Model” is suggested by the USIMP.

September 12, 2008 – Information Sharing Meeting: The meeting which information sharing is made between the Advisory Board and the Executive Council and the officials of the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey on University-Industry Collaboration Models is held in Ankara and is hosted by the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey.
February 5, 2009 - University-Industry Collaboration Practices in Turkey Panel: Within the scope of USIMP introduction and awareness activities, it is held with the contributions of USIMP member organizations, Adana ÜSAM, SAM, ODAGEM and the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey, at Ege University, Faculty of Engineering.
March 5, 2010 - National Interface Program Workshop: Within the scope of national innovation system of Turkey, it is conducted to construct a national structuring model for UIC (University-Industry Collaboration) and determine the actions required for forming a conceptual framework relevant to structuring with participation of the representatives of relevant institutions as YÖK, the Ministry, TUBITAK and KOSGEB and with approximately 50 attendants and is hosted by Ankara Chamber of Industry.
March 6, 2010 - R&D Support Mechanisms Workshop: Within the scope of national innovation system of Turkey, it is conducted for assessment of how much the current R&D support mechanisms are triggering in terms of UIC and for making suggestions for them to be more effective with members of the relevant institutions with approximately 45 attendants and is hosted by Ankara Chamber of Industry.
April 10-11, 2012 - R&D Centers Symposium: This event where studies conducted at the Industrial R&D Centers and have scientific and/or technological uniqueness are presented and common problems are discussed is held in Adana with title “R&D Centers Symposium” and with supports of Adana Chamber of Commerce, Adana Chamber of Industry, Adana Mercantile Exchange and Adana Organized Industrial Zone and is hosted by Adana ÜSAM (Adana University-Industry Common Research Center).
April 27, 2012 – UIC (University-Industry collaboration) Summit: A 26-question “University-Industry Collaboration Centers Survey” is prepared to make an assessment on the problems and expectations of institutions and organizations serving as an “Interface” organization in our country and asked to be filled while signing up for the “University-Industry Collaboration Centers Summit” At the event organized by gathering 61 representatives in total from 48 different institutions and organizations already giving university-industry collaboration services at different levels in cooperation with the Association of Technology Development Zones, expectations from the University Industry collaboration, current problems and solutions are discussed by taking the Survey results into consideration at the summit hosted by Ankara Chamber of Industry.
October 10, 2012 - TTO Seminar: The seminar on “The Situation of Technology Transfer Offices in the USA and Its Impact on Universities” where experiences on the positive and negative reflections of technology transfer activities in the USA on universities and the current state of the system in the process from 1974 until today are shared with the participants is held in cooperation with EBILTEM (Ege University, Science and Technology Center) and AUTM, and with participation of Vicki Loise, the director of AUTM. The seminar, to which rectors of all the universities in Turkey are invited in written by the Rector of Ege University, is held with participation of 35 individuals representing 14 institutions, at Ege University, Senate Building.
February 27-28-29, 2012 - Interface Model Workshops: This series of events where how the Technology Transfer Model adequate for Turkey should be is discussed is realized in cooperation with USIMP-AUTM in Istanbul and Ankara.
Events on February 27, 2012- hosted by ARTEV in Istanbul and on February 28, 2012 - hosted by TPE with the title “Process of Transformation of Idea into Product”, and on February 29, 2012 - hosted by TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey), with the title “Part of the Universities in the Process from Idea to Product”, with the supports of our members OSTIM and ASO” are realized with participation of 112 attendants from 55 institutions and organizations from different regions of Turkey at Ege University, Senate Building.
October 17-18, 2012 - Workshop on Technology Transfer in Mediterranean Europe: The workshop at which comparative assessment of practices of countries having similar cultures, geography, socio-economic conditions and accordingly similar problems by benefiting from their experiences on Technology Transfer is organized with the support of the Rectorship of Ege University in Izmir with participation of representatives from Mediterranean Europe countries and there were 56 attendants in total from 33 different organizations; the event is hosted by our members EBILTEM and EBSO (Aegean Region Chamber of Industry).
09 – 10, 2013 – University Industry Collaboration– Successful Practices Workshop: Approximately 120 attendants from 68 different institutions and organizations have participated in the event which our universities planning to establish Technology Transfer Office (TTO) for the purpose of making contribution in Technology Transfer studies process are gathered together and Prof. Paul Lagasse, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT), Belgium, has attended as the Guest Speaker. Specifically corporate knowledge and experiences gained in our country on university-industry collaboration are shared at the event performed. The Event is hosted by METU Technocity.
March 22, 2013 - Intellectual Property Management Processes- Process Workshop Extending from Laboratory to Market: Intellectual Property Management Processes- Process Workshop Extending from Laboratory to Market, hosted by Sabancı University is organized for the purpose of ensuring assessment from different perspectives of all processes, from patent to technology portfolio management, commercialization processes and Intellectual Property Common ownership of right in Intellectual Property Management, required to be managed. In presentations which Jack Turner, Assistant Director of Technology Licensing Office, MIT, Cengiz Tarhan, Manager of University College London Business, UK, Prof. Sadık Esener from University of California- San Diego Cancer Researches Center and Uğur Yalçıner from Yalçıner Patent ve Danışmanlık Ltd. have shared their experiences, false facts, wrong ideas accepted as right on university technology licensing are discussed and experiences on different ecosystems are given. 54 attendants from 30 different organizations have participated in the event.
July 25-26, 2013 - 1513 TTO Application Experiences Sharing Workshop: TUBITAK 1513 – A workshop hosted by Ankara Chamber of Industry is organized for universities which shall prepare for application to the second invitation of the Technology Transfer Offices Support Program to benefit from the experiences of the university representatives who have been successful in the first invitation. The participants were informed about the technology transfer approach in Turkey, TTO activities and the importance of the ecosystem in the success of TT, and representatives of 6 universities that received support in the first TTO call shared their experiences during the application stage in the workshop in which a total of 102 registered participants have shown interest.
November 1, 2013 – Workshop on the Expectations of Our Country from Technology Transfer Processes of Industry: Purpose of this event hosted by Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) is; "determining the mechanisms which meet the demands and needs in the field of R&D and technology of industry in the beneficiary position in technology transfer process”. James E. Gado, the Deputy Director of the Office of Corporate Relations, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has attended this workshop as the guest speaker.
February 21, 2014 - Workshop on European Enterprise Network in Internationalization of Technology Transfer Offices: hosted by Adana Chamber of Industry and held in Adana by Adana ÜSAM by the participation of Adana Chamber of Commerce. Purpose of the Workshop is designed to seek ways of creating cooperation and synergy with existing international networks for being able to commercialize technologies in the portfolio of the Technology Transfer Offices which has started institutionalization in our country in the last one year. In the Search Meeting held in the second section of the Workshop, attendants have brainstormed on “Our National Interests and Technology Transfer Processes”.
March 4, 2014 - R&D Centers Performance Assessment Summit and Cooperation with Technology Transfer Offices Workshop: “Cooperation Session of R&D Centers and Technology Transfer Offices” included in the Workshop organized by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology in Kocaeli is undertaken and conducted by USIMP. Cooperation methods and opportunities of TTOs and R&D Centers in our country are discussed in the Session. Moreover, opinions and suggestions on planning of processes on transferring technologies to be produced by TTOs to R&D Centers at different stages are received. It is observed that industrial R&D Centers are also willing to be in cooperation with TTOs.
July 19, 2016 - Patent Law and IPR Applications Commission Meeting: A meeting which was hosted by Ankara Chamber of Industry and where the obligations imposed by the newly enacted Industrial Property Law on Technology Transfer Offices are discussed is held.
October 19, 2016 – Workshop on Commercializing IPR: A workshop where obligations imposed on the Technology Transfer Offices by the new Industrial Property Law are discussed is held at the Middle East Technical University.
June 12, 2017 - Meeting on Changes after the Industrial Property Law, Experience and Solution Sharing: It is hosted by Boğaziçi University Technology Transfer Office.
April 30 – May 1, 2020- Workshop on the Assessment of Technology Commercialization National Ecosystem: With the Workshop on the Assessment of Technology Commercialization National Ecosystem, an event where new models will be proposed and solution recommendations and opportunities will be discussed in the light of the developments in university-industry collaboration in our country for problems existing in these units and accordingly, experienced units can create synergy by sharing information with these newly established centers is intended. Relevant interface institutions of the universities, Managing Companies of Technology Development Zones, private TTO companies and TUBITAK representatives have attended the Workshop on “the Assessment of Technology Commercialization National Ecosystem” held by the participation of TUBITAK. While 153 representatives in total have attended from 73 different institutions and organizations on Zoom on the first day of the event, 228 representatives in total have attended from 80 different institutions and organizations on Zoom on the second day of the event.
April 21, 2021- Problems Experienced in Commercialization Processes, Solution Recommendations and Model Practices: The questionnaire is shared with our members to ensure understanding and applying of commercialization processes of intellectual and industrial property rights required to be made in compliance with Industrial Property Law No. 6769 and relevant Regulations on a common ground, at all relevant institutions. The questionnaire results are submitted at the meeting as an experience sharing. More than 100 representatives from different institutions and organizations have attended the meeting held on Zoom and over online YouTube.
Turkish Patent Report prepared by the Patent Effect: USIMP has been the partner sponsor for the “Patent Report of Turkey” study and an introductory meeting is held on April 28, 2021.

1.2 Let’s Learn Together/Let’s Discuss Together

USIMP has initiated a series of webinars in October 2020 with the participation of the representatives from the member organizations.

This event being carried out with the theme “Let’s Learn Together” has been held on the following subjects and more than 1200 participants have attended in until now:

June 01, 2022 - Business Development and Commercialization Applications in Nanotechnology
May 25, 2022 - Innovation in Health: Biodesign Center
May 18, 2022 - R&D/Design Centers Communication and Cooperation Platform and University-Industry Cooperation Perspective: ARGEMİP
May 11, 2022 - The Future of Purchasing in the Twin Transformation Process
April 27, 2022 - Istanbul Health Industry Cluster (İSEK) Entrepreneurship Support Programs and Infrastructures
April 13, 2022 - ERBAN Angel Investor Network
April 06, 2022 - VitrA's Innovation Journey
March 30, 2022 - Good Management Practices for Enterprises and SMEs
March 23, 2022 - University-Industry Cooperation From Where To Where
March 16, 2022 - Evaluation of Mediation Practice in terms of Intellectual Property Rights Law
March 09, 2022 - Efficiency and Optimization in Production with Digital Transformation in Factories
March 02, 2022 - Biosecurity and Bioethics
February 23, 2022 - What is RTTP and How to Apply?
February 16, 2022 - Recent Trends in Innovation Policy in Turkey
February 09, 2022 - Successful Clustering Examples from the World and Turkey and Support Programs
February 02, 2022 - Metaverse and Virtual Incubation Center
January 26, 2022 - Developing Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products within the Scope of University-Industry Cooperation
January 19, 2022 - Sustainable R&D on the Axis of University-Industry Cooperation: Practical Examples from the Informatics Industry
October 27, 2021 - Sustainable Development and Green Economy Specific to Technopark
October 20, 2021 - Analysis of Technology Development-Commercialization Competence of Universities with Patent Data
October 13, 2021 - Technology Transfer Activities from the Perspective of Academicians
October 06, 2021 - TarLab Biotechnology Co.: Biotechnological Solutions in Plant Breeding
September 29, 2021 - The Importance of Technology Verification Levels in the Preparation of TEYDEP and ARDEB Projects
September 22, 2021 - University-Industry Cooperation Practices at HAVELSAN
July 14, 2021 - Commercialization Adventure from Idea to Product
July 07, 2021 - National and International Cooperation Mechanisms at Arcelik
June 23, 2021 - Bringing Good Engineering Philosophy to Life with Examples
June 16, 2021 - From the Analytical Revolution to the Production of Natural Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Industrial Scale; The Establishment Story of the First Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Plant in Turkey
June 09, 2021 - Pharmaceutical Industry Value Chain
June 02, 2021 - You Can Also Invent
May 26, 2021 - A Different Model of Collaboration: Scientific Research Cooperative
May 12, 2021 - Public Research/Industry Collaboration and Start Ups: Is a More Natural and Synergetic Partnership Possible?
May 05, 2021 - Domestic and National Production in the Context of Digital Transformation
May 05, 2021 – Product Focused Technology Management Methodology – Measuring Corporate Technological Competence
April 28, 2021 – Similarities and Differences in TTO Activities - Turkey and USA
April 14, 2021 – Protection of Plant Varieties Improved in Universities with Breeder's Right
March 31, 2021 - Automotive Materials Innovation Studies and Collaboration Examples
March 24, 2021 - Strategic TTO Management in Growing and Developing Ecosystem
March 17, 2021 - Successful Clustering Examples from the World and Turkey and Support Programs
March 10, 2021 This is Leadership
February 24, 2021- Technology Management and Strategic Planning for UIC and Entrepreneurship Activities
February 17, 2021 – Being Captured by Epidemic in the Middle of Deindustrialization
February 10, 2021 - Process Management (Within the Framework of Quality Standards)
February 03, 2021- International Reference Documents in Innovation Management
January 27, 2021 - Individual Innovator Bilge Kum is Sharing Her Memories
January 20, 2021 – Engineer of the Future: Which qualifications are we expecting?
January 13, 2021 - Role of Self-Assessment in Sustainability of Businesses
January 06, 2021 – Is it possible to build an innovation culture in a traditional sector?
December 23, 2020 - Technopark Experience in the Industrial Zone
December 16, 2020 – Alternative Financing Resources for Entrepreneurs
December 9, 2020 – Technology Based Incubator Program Development
December 2, 2020 - Strategic Patent Portfolio Management
November 18, 2020 – Technology Assessment and Commercialization Strategies
November 11, 2020 – Commercialization of Project Outputs and Creating a Route Map for Projects
November 4, 2020 - Critical Success Factors of TTOs: Their Role in the Success of the Host Organization 1
October 21, 2020 - VQA Process - Technology Transfer Profession Definition and Qualification Requirements
October 14, 2020 - Assessment of Domestic Production in Health Sector
October 7, 2020 - Evolution of Science, Industry and Technology Policies

Besides, on April 21, 2021 and June 30, 2021 prominent issues in national and diversified ecosystem are discussed by the panelists with the Webinar series titled "Let's Discuss Together".

April 21, 2021 – Problems Experienced in Commercialization Processes and Solution Recommendations
June 30, 2021 - USIMP Model Open Innovation Platform (AIP) Search Meeting

1.3 National Technology Transfer Network Activities

USIMP’s main philosophy is built on “sharing” and ensuring the sharing of knowledge and experience among members constitutes the main axis of all studies.

Accordingly, as TUBITAK 1513 - Technology Transfer Offices Support Program has entered into effect in 2013, “National TTO Network” was established to create an environment for TUBITAK supported Technology Transfer Offices in our universities to learn from each other and share what they know in a network structure.

The “National Technology Transfer Network” is established by inviting 10 university representatives who were supported within the scope of TUBITAK 1513 and were USIMP members and a platform where Technology Transfer Office managers and specialists have shared experiences and found common solutions to common problems is built. Within this scope:

TTO Network Sharing Meeting I: The first event is performed on April 26, 2013, at Istanbul Chamber of Industry. TTO’s common problems, needs, forward activities, study programs, exchange of views and possibilities for creating greater impact by working on the common ground are discussed and a commission is established to plan studies on common needs as TTO Network at the meeting where 16 representatives from 9 supported TTOs have attended.
TTO Network Sharing Meeting II: The second meeting is held at Düzce University on May 9, 2013 to discuss potential financial difficulties in the Project and to definitions to ensure the “Performance Indicators” in the studies and the project which TTOs shall organize jointly have the same meanings for all TTOs which have given support.
TTO Network Sharing Meeting III: The meeting is hosted by Atılım University and held on March 8, 2014.
TTO Network Sharing Meeting IV: “TTO Network Meeting IV” is hosted by Erciyes University on May 21, 2014 as a TTO Summit in a different format with an agenda which shall ensure participation and interaction.
TTO Network Sharing Meeting V: The meeting is hosted by Uludağ University and held on July 11, 2014.

TTO Network Sharing Meeting VI: The meeting is hosted by Ankara Hacettepe TTO and held on July 21, 2016.

“TTO Network” being in service between the years 2013 – 2016 is still being coordinated with Association of TTP.

1.4 Other Formations

Association of Technology Transfer Professionals (TTP)

As technology transfer activities have extended and popularized in our country, Association of Technology Transfer Professionals (TTP) is established in 2016 as a result of TTO Network studies. The objective of this Association which works entirely on an individual membership system is to contribute to solidarity of specialists carrying out technology transfer profession in our country as a professional organization and development of the ecosystem and the training of new experts. This Association is a setup which shall create personal development opportunities for individual TTO specialists under an organizational structure. “TTO Network” being in service between the years 2013 – 2016 is still being coordinated under the cooperation of the Association of TTP.

1.5 National Business Mentoring Initiative

The National Business Mentoring Initiative which aims to increase and expand the quality of business mentoring services to be provided to all types of businesses in our country has signed a Joint Declaration in 2017 in which they have declared their intention to share their knowledge, experience and richness with common mind.