Technology Transfer Programme

Technology & Innovation Programme

ICBAN ran a successful Technology & Innovation Project from 2004 to 2006. The objective of the project was to enhance the innovative capacity of the ICBAN region and to assist 3^rd level colleges become more business facing.

The project cost was £419,772 and was financed by the European Union through the PEACE II Programme, Measure 4.1, Outward and Forward Looking Regions, managed for the Special EU programmes Body by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. The outputs are as follows:

Innovation Bursaries:

 10 bursaries were awarded as follows:

·          Software application for food sector;

·          Organic bread developed and tested for market;

·          Designed and developed prototype for spreading device for fertiliser. Environmentally friendly container and developed. Possibility of patenting spreader;

·          Plastering product developed and possible international manufacturing opportunities identified.

·          Energy Audits conducted on 9 businesses;

·          Female Entrepreneurs: Award winning Cheese-maker &  Yoga Holiday Farm: Marketing, branding and equipment update;

·          Waste management device for wheelie bins;

·          Visual Display for remote control on a crane.

·          Furniture cluster – look at innovative products & processes.

Exploratory visits 

 29 international Visits were funded to look at innovative products and processes and international best practice. Beneficiary organisations developed a wide range of networks across North America, Europe and Asia focusing on a range of sectors including:

·Engineering & Construction

·Marine & Renewable Energies

·Furniture & Tourism

·Food & Health Care.

The 3^rd Level sector were included in 25 of the visits and 20 of the visits had a cross border element.

 College Clinics:

 Several colleges ran events throughout 2006 to show case various specialisms to the region. They included:

·Engineering & Quarry

·Renewable Energies & eLearning

·Food & Home Automation

Innovation Conference:

 A successful conference was run in March 06 to address the innovation needs of the North West regions. Over 120 people from Industry, Academia and the Public Bodies listened to a number of presentations from International speakers, local business and academia.They participated in a series of workshops on the topic of innovation. They included barriers, existing structures and future needs.

The conference created a document from the workshop that addressed the innovation needs of the region. It presented this to SEUPB for consultation for the next Territorial Round of Funding. ICBAN has published a Report on Conference Proceedings. This outlines the findings and proposals for developing Innovation in the North West of Ireland. Please click here to download the report

 The 3^rd Level Education Network and ICBAN are currently in discussions relating to optimal strategies regarding progressing the recommendations emerging from the report.

What does 'Innovation' mean?

Doing something different that makes your organisation more effective or gives it a competitive edge.

Examples of Innovation:

• Developing a new machine to recycle computer hardware.
• Bringing technology into my manufacturing process to help me draw designs of my product prior to production.
• Researching the properties of textiles in a lab to see if it feasible to mix them and create a new product.

How do I know what technology I need?

1. What is the problem that I need to solve;
2. Document that problem;
3. Talk to a College about how that problem could be solved;
4. Does that solution involve technology;
5. Research the different technologies that could solve your problem:
a. Look on the internet
b. Ask lots of questions - who:
i. The college
ii. Suppliers of the technology.

How can a Technology & Innovation programme help your organisation?

• Consider using different technologies to improve processes in your organisation.
• Conduct research on using technology to create new products.
• Use technology to enhance communication thereby improving productivity

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