HOUSTON (April 20, 2010) A landmark study of the birth and maturation of a national innovation network will be released on April 27.
The study, written by Dr. Marli Elizabeth Ritter dos Santos, covers The Formation of a National Technology Transfer Network: The Case Study of FORTEC (Brazil).
The paper presents a road map for other countries that are contemplating the creation of a similar network of universities and research institutes for promoting innovation and economic growth. Several countries and regions internationally are currently in this process.
Technology transfer is a process for moving results from university and research laboratories to commercial application. Small businesses, especially new start-up companies, are frequent partners with universities in this process.
FORTEC was formed in 2006 in Brazil and has grown to a network of 157 member universities and research institutes. Brazil is recognized as an emerging international leader in technology development and commercialization, and the activities of FORTEC members have driven that success.
Headquartered in Porto Alegre, FORTEC is guided by a board of five recognized experts in innovation management. The organization has identified 10 specific goals, including internationally promoting innovation development at universities and research institutions in cooperation with public and private sectors.
As president, Dr. Ritter do Santos has led the organization since its inception in 2006. She holds a PhD. in administration management from the Autonomous University of Mexico, and serves as director of the technology transfer office at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. She also is a faculty member in the universitys College of Business, teaching a course on Change and Innovation Management.
Dr. Ritter do Santoss study will be published April 27 by Beyond the First World on its Web site in both English and Portuguese languages. To access the study, see beyondthefirstworld.com
O Frum Nacional de Gestores de Inovao e Transferncia de Tecnologia (FORTEC) or The National Forum of Managers of Innovation and Technology Transfer is a member-based organization registered in Brazil. Dr. Ritter dos Santos term as president expires April 30. For more information, see www.fortec-br.org/
Beyond the First World is a nonprofit project established in March 2010. Its mission is to contribute to international economic growth and development by improving the practice of technology transfer through online networking of practitioners, and publication of news and best practices. For more information see beyondthefirstworld.com
