University technology transfer in the Philippines : the case of the University of the Philippines / Ellery F. Jose

Year : 2006

Number of Pages : 47 leaves

Executive Summary

Universities, like the University of the Philippines System are taking more cognizance of their contribution, in terms of usable technologies, to national economic development. Part of UP's technology commercialization strategy is to create better policies and systems, like the UP IP Policy of 2004 and UP-Technology Licensing Office, for managing technology transfer. This study assessed the technology transfer systems in UP using the technology transfer value chain as a conceptual framework. It also involved reviewing the experiences of other universities in other countries and their possible application into the Philippine setting. The project aims to benefit the potential stakeholders of technology licensing, to contribute to the practice of technology licensing in the Philippines and add to the literature on technology commercialization. Required data came from several primary (interviews and meetings) and secondary (online research, library work and official documents) sources. It seems that the fundamental weakness of UP's technology transfer system is its lack of a marketing orientation that focuses on maximizing the commercial potential of its intellectual properties and supporting entrepreneurship. Instead, technology transfer efforts are hindered by bureaucratic inertia, emphasis on legalistic procedures and gross mismanagement. The University will definitely benefit from the best practices of technology transfer organizations adopting the marketing model. From the perspective of organizational structure, there may be advantages to externalizing certain transfer activities though this would require an additional effort by UP to engage the assistance of other public agencies and of the private sector. As a multi-campus university, UP may consider the distributed responsibility model of the University of California as an example of how to organize the technology transfer activities within the academic structure. UC illustrates a possible way of balancing the responsibilities between a central licensing office and autonomous transfer offices at the campus level. Ultimately, the success of technology transfer will depend on academic managers at the middle-level of the academic hierarchy, who will act as change-agents and resource mobilizers.