International Relations


The USIMP is carrying on its international activities within the framework of the “Goodwill Agreements” it has signed with similar formations in different countries. In international relationships accelerating since 2011, joint studies with the following international stakeholders are conducted directly or through members. It is represented or being represented in relevant boards.

1.1 AUTM – Association for University Technology Managers: As a result of the meetings with AUTM, In June 2011, an “AUTM-USIMP Cooperation Agreement” is signed on cooperation on subjects as organizing trainings and workshops in Turkey, experience sharing and technical consultancy. Within the scope of this cooperation, seven training programs in total lasting for three days each in average are organized with AUTM until today. Moreover, four common workshops/ seminars are held with AUTM. 147 participants from 69 institutions and organizations have attended from different regions of Turkey to these workshops.

As a result of these relations, USIMP is a Member of “AUTM International Committee” established in 2015 and which includes the European Union (represented by ASTP), Thailand, Malaysia, Sweden, Japan, Ireland, South Africa, Germany, Australia and Brazil.

Within this scope, April 8-10, 2013 -Istanbul, the United States Department of Commerce and AUTM, “Regional Technology Transfer Offices and Incubators Forum” is hosted.

Meetings attended within this scope:

  • February 17, 2016 - AUTM 2016 Annual Meeting, International Panel “A Bridge Not Too Far: Building a Global Innovation Ecosystem” Panel, San Diego, USA
  • September 7-8, 2018 – AUTM, International Knowledge /Technology Transfer Leadership Summit, Sitges, Spain (lecturer)
  • February 10-13, 2019 – AUTM, International Committee meeting, Texas Austin, USA (Ebru Tan, Koç University representation)
  • October 1-3, 2019 – AUTM, International Knowledge / Technology Transfer Leadership Summit, Bangkok, Thailand (USIMP is represented by our 4 members; Ahu Uncuoğlu (MITTO), Ismail Arı (ÖZÜTTO), Mustafa Çakır (SU-ALP) and Fazilet Vardar Sukan (SUNUM) and has contributed to a Panel with a speech.)
  • October 09, 2020-AUTM, International Committee Meeting, Online

Within the scope of USIMP-AUTM Cooperation, a regional analysis will be made for the West Asian MENA region(Middle East - North Africa) , appropriate collaborators will be identified, networking studies and important developments in the regional ecosystem will be followed, reports and collaborations will be developed.

1.2 ASTP - Association of European Science and Technology Professionals: the formation, which is a European initiative dealing with knowledge and technology transfer between universities and industry, and USIMP are in cooperation since 2012. The Association is the most important organization of Europe which encourages technology transfer applications with its individual and institutional members to increase and extend the contribution of public researches to society and economy.   

ASTP-PROTON 2015 conference (ASTP-Proton 2015 Annual Conference: New Horizons New Opportunities) hosted by USIMP is held between the dates May 21 – 22, 2015 with financial contributions of Boğaziçi University, Istanbul Şehir University, Istanbul Technical University, Koç University, Özyeğin University, Sabancı University and Yıldız Technical University Technology Transfer Offices, in Istanbul at Wyndham Levent Hotel.

Meetings attended within this scope:

  • May 21, 2013 – ASTP, European TTOs Network Meeting, Vienna, Austria.
  • May 25-27, 2016 – ASTP, Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark

1.3 ASTP–NAAC–National Associations Advisory Committee: USIMP represents Turkey in the “National Organizations Advisory Board” established by ASTP Proton in 2013 and constituted of institutions and organizations representing technology transfer structures in Europe at national level.

The first meeting is held on May 21, 2013, during ASTP Annual Congress, in Vienna. Afterwards, the meetings are attended.

Meetings attended in this context:

  • September 30, 2014 – ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Brussels
  • November 2014 – ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Prague
  • May 21, 2015 ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Istanbul
  • November 11, 2015 – ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Amsterdam
  • March 16-17, 2016- ASTP, NAAC Workshop, Leiden Amsterdam (Each national organization has introduced its own institution and is decided to prepare national organizations handbook.)
  • May 24, 2016 – ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • May 31, 2017 - ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Budapest, Hungary
  • May 24, 2018 - ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Leiden, Netherlands
  • November 6-7, 2018 - ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Leiden
  • November 6-7, 2019 - ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Leiden (not attended)
  • May 21-23, 2019 - ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Dublin
  • 23, 2020 - ASTP, NAACEU JRC Committee Meeting, Brussels
  • December 3, 2020 – ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Online
  • March 11, 2021-ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Online
  • March 15, 2022-ASTP, NAAC Meeting, Online

Besides, USIMP is included in “ASTP-NAAC Practical Handbook for a National Association in Knowledge Transfer” handbook published in 2016.

Referring to the HORIZON White paper report (https://www.astp4kt.eu/about-us/kt-news/knowledge-transfer-community-proposes-new-measure-for-in-in-horizon-europe.html) titled "Positioning Knowledge Transfer to Europe" published in 2020 with the initiation of NAAC-ASTP, letter of opinion with the signatures of USIMP and ASTP is transmitted to TUBITAK on February 01, 2021 on including work packages to HORIZON European projects to ensure participation of " Knowledge Transfer Offices". The opinion is adopted at national level and a letter of support signed by the Chairman of TUBITAK, Prof. Dr. Hasan MANDAL is transmitted to the General Directorate of European Commission Research and Innovation on February 21, 2021.

1.4 ATTP - Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals: ATTP is an international formation established in partnership with eight organizations providing financial support with the aim of increasing professional skills by giving necessary trainings to improve technology transfer skills of individuals and training Technology Transfer Professionals who have international recognition:

    • ASTP - (600 members from 41 countries)
    • AUTM–Association of University Technology Managers (more than 300 members from more than 300 universities)
    • KCA – Knowledge Commercialization Australasia
    • Praxis Unico
    • SNITTS – Swedish Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer Support
    • SARIMA – Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association
    • Technologie Allianz – The Commercialization Network for German Academic Inventions
    • UNITT – University Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer

USIMP has been an official member in 2014 by paying the contribution. As of June 26, 2020, it is started to be represented in the Board of Directors as Prof. Dr. Fazilet Vardar Sukan is ed as the member of the Board.

Meetings attended in this context:

  • July 9-10, 2016 - ATTP, Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals Council Meeting, London, UK
  • July 8-10, 2017 – ATTP, Council Meeting, Leiden, the Netherlands
  • September 8-10, 2018 - ATTP, Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals Council Meeting, Barcelona, Spain
  • July 7, 2020, July 21, 2020, August 13, 2020, June 3, 2021) - ATTP Board (the Board of Directors) Meetings, Online
  • September 15-17, 2020- ATTP Council (General Assembly), Online
  • December 14, 2021- ATTP Council Meeting, Online

  • September 06, 2021-ATTP Board of Directors Meeting, Online

  • May 24, 2022- ATTP Council Meeting, Online

1.5 EUKTS – European Knowledge Transfer Society: It is a European Union the 6th Framework Program Project conducted with the participation of 13 institutions and organizations completed in 2013 for the purpose of accreditation of institutions providing Knowledge Transfer Training, certification of Knowledge Transfer Professionals and data collection on Knowledge Transfer Activities. (Certified TTT Manager Project - Cert - TTT-M, 6FP RTD OMC-NET, 2007-2009). Consortium members:

  • ERPDA (Emilia-Romagna Region), Italy
  • ASTER, Italy
  • AWS (Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH), Austria
  • Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic
  • Europaische Patent Organisation Academy, Germany
  • HighBury, UK
  • IEEP, France
  • IKT (The Institute of Knowledge Transfer), UK
  • IWT (Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders), Belgium
  • Licensing Executive Society France
  • LIAA (State Agency Latvian Investment and Development Agency), Lithuania
  • MCI (Management Center Innsbruck), Austria
  • ProTON Europe AISBL, Belgium

With the project performed, a framework is formed for the assessment of the Technology Transfer Managers at national level. At the end of the Project, expert level of the Technology Transfer Professionals and skills required for these levels and duties are identified. The Consortium has provided its sustainability as a platform. USIMP has become the “Strategic Partner” of EuKTS in 2014 with the approved declaration of interest. Jan. 10, 2017 - EuKTS Curriculum Agreement is signed. Following the establishment of EuKTS as an Association, USIMP started to be represented at the first General Assembly and Management Meeting held on May 12, 2016.

Meetings attended within this scope:

  • May 12, 2016 - EuKTS, European Knowledge Transfer Society General Assembly and Management Meeting, Prague, the Czech Republic
  • December 20, 2016 – Private meeting with EuKTS, EuKTS manager, London, UK
  • May 5, 2017 – EuKTS, General Assembly and Management Meeting, Prague, the Czech Republic (Participation could not be provided; power of attorney is given.)

EuKTS Association is closed in 2020 due to financial sustainability problems.

1.6 Hellenic Industrial Property Academy (HIPA): A MoU is signed by and between HIPA and USIMP on November 27, 2019 to provide collaboration and coordination on joint projects and activities for the educational development of intellectual property stakeholders.

Meetings attended within this scope:

  • March 23, 2020- Cooperation development meeting with Athens, Online
  • June 20, 2020 – Athens Cooperation development meeting, USIMP studies introduction meeting, Online
  • November 30, 2020 – The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Dr. Fazilet Vardar Sukan has contributed to the international event “Building Technology Transfer & Acceleration Capacity in Greek Universities and Research Centers" as a guest speaker with her speech “Barriers and Drivers for Building Technology Transfer Capacity in Universities; an International Perspective”.
  • February 24, 2021- The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Dr. Hamit SERBEST and the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Dr. Fazilet VARDAR SUKAN, have contributed as guest speakers with the presentation titled "Best Practices from Establishment of TTOs in Turkey”.

1.7 United Nations Technology Bank: Collaborations are carried out with the UN Technology Bank on technology transfer capacities of specifically underdeveloped countries.

    • May 03, 2019 - “Corporate Cooperation Suggestions” the UN Technology Bank Workshop, TUBITAK Corporate Office, the Meeting Hall of the Board of Directors of TUBITAK, Kavaklıdere, Ankara
    • November 02, 2020 – meeting on the UN Technology Bank Technology Transfer Studies, Online
    • April 10, 2021 – A cooperation agreement is signed by and between the UN, TUBITAK and USIMP to support international efforts for providing support to Technology Transfer ecosystems of underdeveloped countries, enabling access to technology and developing science, technology and innovation (STI) capacity. Joint projects shall be conducted within this scope.

1.8 Indirect Collaborations: The USIMP is in indirect relation with some international institutions and organizations through the members:

EPO Academic Advisory Board (European Patent Office Academic Advisory Board) Membership: The European Patent Office Academic Advisory Board which consists of 9 members and is reconstructed to provide consultancy service to the Management as a Board directly reporting to the Director-General of the European Patent Office in planning and directing the activities of the European Patent Office includes representatives from countries such as Italy, Germany, France and Norway. Turkey is being represented from academic member quota. Since 2016, Prof. Dr. Fazilet Vardar Sukan is maintaining her personal Board membership.

Meetings attended within this scope:

  • June 22, 2016 - EPO Academic Advisory Board European Patent Office Academic Advisory Board meeting
  • June 8, 2017 EPO AAB- Indirect representation at the European Patent Office Academic Advisory Board meeting
  • July 19, 2018 – EPO, TTO Advisory Workshop, Munich
  • June 18, 2018 - Workshop on PCT Fee Reductions for Universities, World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva,
  • September 18, 2018 – EPO, Academic Advisory Board is indirectly represented.
  • October 17, 2018 – EPO, Progress Conference, Athens (speaker)

EEN – European Enterprise Network (European Enterprise Network): Collaborations with EEN, the world's largest technology transfer network in which 9 members of USIMP are the members are conducted through Consortiums in which their members are included, and synergies are tried to be formed especially between the national TTO Network and EEN.

EU Commission - IPR Help Desk: Within the scope of the cooperation conducted with the IPR Help Desk, articles as joint trainings, document and information sharing, joint use of the on-line platform, announcements on the websites and cooperation with IPR Help Desk ambassadors are discussed.

Activities carried out within the framework of USIMP International cooperation networks:

  • AUTM International Directory Publishing: USIMP is included.
  • ASTP-NAAC Practical Handbook for a National Association in Knowledge Transfer handbook – USIMP is included.
  • February 19, 2017 - EuKTS Erasmus+ Project Application-: As DESUM, with the identity of USIMP and the higher education institution member representative, under the coordination of EuKTS association, of which we are a strategic partner, a project application with the title “EuKTS Knowledge Alliance” with 9 partners is made within the scope of E+ KA2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices Knowledge Alliances call, but EU support could not be received for the project.
  • June 12-13, 2017 - It has taken part in the organization committee of the Stockholm meeting and announcements are made within the scope of the Congress stakeholdership titled AESIS Network for Advancing and Evaluating the Societal Impact of Science.
  • 18-20, 2017 - ASTP PROTON Training Course, Sitges, Spain –: Prof. Fazilet VARDAR SUKAN has attended as the trainer on behalf of USIMP.
  • NETVAL – The guest speaker Prof. Dr. A. Hamit Serbest and our 4 representatives have attended the Italian Network for the Valorization of Research Summer Conference 2019 event as the audience between the dates September 16-19, 2019.

PROGRESSTT Project is an EU Project coordinated by ASTP-Proton, and is conducted with the aim of supporting the development of the competencies of TTOs in Europe. USIMP, within this scope, has made attempts and taken joint steps to make more use of the opportunities of this project by announcing the survey organized for the purpose of the project to TTOs in Turkey, and collecting information and reporting it and entering it into this database.

In the meeting held with the Presidency of Sarajevo University (UNSA) on April 01, 2022, information was shared about the institutional structures of USIMP and UNSA, and information was given about the activities of USIMP.