Bulletin No. 2, 2011

6   Chinese University Bulletin No. 2, 2011 A Proactive Approach ‘K nowl edge t rans fe r ( K T ) re fe r s to technology transfer.’ This was the response Ms. Sharon Tam , director of the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO), got when promoting KT to University members shortly after she assumed duties in October 2009. Everyone seemed to have overlooked another important component of KT: non-technology transfer. Ms. Tam said, ‘So we visited Faculty by Faculty to clarify the definition of KT. In broader terms, knowledge that helps to improve quality of life and that benefits society is transferrable. We also took the chance to learn more about staff research and identify potential projects for transfer or licensing. The Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KTPF) has been established to support staff members in launching KT projects.’ The KTO also organized seminars and a forum in November 2010 to promote KT, present innovations with transfer possibilities and funding availability. Experts and guests from around the world were invited to share success stories and practical skills with CUHK staff and students. Ms. Tam is pleased to see a change in perception in the past two years. ‘The figures have been obvious: a total of 45 proposals for the KTPF were received and 18 projects were funded in 2009–10, compared to 62 and 25 in 2010–11. The funded projects cover both technology and non-technology transfer such as health, city planning and the environment, school reform, quality of life, industry links, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, and raising professional standards.’ Ms. Sharon Tam 1990 CUHK’s first spin-off company established—The Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology Limited 933 Number of public lectures/seminars by CUHK in 2010–11 The University’s Third Mission