The commercialization of scientific research results from universities is being considered as an effective solution to overcome difficulties in the development and transfer of technologies today. Meanwhile, the construction of Binh Duong Smart City in association with the model of Triple Helix (Government – Academia - Industry) is opening up many opportunities for exploitation and commercialization of results from research institutes, universities into enterprises. Binh Duong Newspaper had an interview with Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Thuong, Director of Research and Experiment Center at Thu Dau Mot University, about this issue.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Thuong introduces research products by scientists in collaboration with business representatives.
- In recent years, Thu Dau Mot University Research and Experiment Center has made great efforts in commercializing inventions and transferring research results of lecturers to enterprises. Do you have any specific information about this activity?
- According to the orientation of Thu Dau Mot University leadership, Research and Experiment Center has the task of linking scientific research results of lecturers from university research groups to serve the community and transfer to businesses in order to increase the effectiveness of training, increase the applicability of scientific subjects, and bring practical benefits to both the community and scientists.
Some typical transferring activities in 2015-2017 of the center such as: Pi Land Company comprehensive cooperation in the production and trading of all natural products from scientific research of the center; Dong Cong Humanitarian Aid Joint Stock Company (Minh Khai lingzhi) cooperation in researching, cultivating and processing medicinal mushrooms, edible mushrooms, medicinal herbs; Nui Chua- Ninh Thuan National Park study of medicinal plants such as orange tree for oil...
At present, the center has initially cooperated with Department of Science and Technology of Binh Thuan province, Center for Scientific and Technological Application of Binh Thuan province on scientific research, organization of scientific seminar, collaborate and transfer scientific research; Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, National Burn Institute, Ho Chi Minh Biotechnology Center... on coordinating, exchanging information, co-chairing scientific research topics at all levels.
Besides, the center has gradually completed and prepared to serve the market with many products, such as “dong trung ha thao”, lingzhi and processed products from it. The Center also coordinates closely with the faculty of Natural Sciences and Thu Dau Mot University lecturers in scientific research and transfer to the community.
- Many argue that the commercialization of scientific research results in universities is limited, the main reason is that lecturers - who are good at scientific research, but are new to the market, financial factors... so it is difficult to meet the needs of enterprises and scientists in the country, so that scientific research of lecturers would be difficult to apply into practice. What is your opinion about this issue?
- Lecturers from universities and research institutes are proficient and are able to apply their knowledge to create high-quality product formulas. However, in order to bring the product to market, in my opinion is a multivariate problem, need a lot of knowledge and experiences in large-scale production, market development plan, calling for capital, diplomacy and competition, social networks... That requires the cooperation of many individuals like a company system.
It is extremely difficult for a scientist to step out and commercialize a research product. In addition to product quality, I noticed that businesses also demanded the product must have a competitive price, available source of clean materials in large quantities. Sometimes the scientist research and develop a high-quality product but its price is too high, making products difficult to approach the market as well as be competitive. Consequently, the cooperation according to model of manager-trader-researcher-consumer model will be necessary to supply the appropriate product and support the development of science and technology serving the community. Another reason why the application of scientific results to be difficult is special characteristics of the research works. For example, studies of scientific theories or biomedical sciences can lead to high-value international scientific publications, which are required to all undergraduate students to complete their thesis, does not immediately create products that can be transferred to enterprises, but their products are scientific knowledge for other groups to inherit, develop research and application.
- Regarding research by orders of business, how this has been done?
- Regarding research by orders of business and society, this is a practical way to direct the research team to solve science application problems in the immediate future. The creation of groups of research scientists for the application, solving social problems will help the country's socio-economic development and research results will not be wasted. In addition, the research execution for self-control of production process of high-tech products from achievements of other countries is also very necessary to improve national science and technology. Contacts and dialogues with businesses help us better understand the needs of our partners, what they need from scientists, and how to connect scientists and businesses effectively.
We recognize a huge demand from businesses for developing unique, high-quality technologies and products to increase their competitiveness. On the other hand, scientists are also eager to create real values from their study. At Research and Experimental Center, we receive direct orders from enterprises as a research topic and at the same time to understand the needs of society to set research tasks for our groups, and offer technology, product transfer to enterprises, thereby shorten the waiting time for application and effective use of research results. We approach businesses, learn, grasp their demand for product, technology development, and then propose to our faculty to realize. We also directly connect businesses and scientists for consultancy, support, and transfer and development of desired technology.
- In order to develop Binh Duong Smart City, the province has set many key tasks based on the "Triple Helix" model. What should functional sectors do to associate scientist's breakthrough with the real needs of society?
- We look forward to the provision of better access to funds for research application and start-ups, as well as opportunities for scientific research teams, lecturers to commercialize their research product right from the public university itself, while under current regimen of product registration it comes only from private enterprises. By doing so, researchers will boldly make products that work and serve the real needs of society.
- Thank you!
Reported by Tieu My – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
