To encourage the commercialization of academic inventions, our University’s Technology Transfer Application and Research Center launched the “Commercializing Intellectual Property in Academia” Project in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT). The launch event, held at the Reşit Tarakçıoğlu Hall in the Atatürk Cultural Center, marks the first such project in Türkiye, with Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) chosen as the pilot university.

Attendees included Trabzon Governor Aziz Yıldırım, WIPO Director for Developed and Transition Countries Prof. Dr. Habip Asan, TÜRKPATENT President Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Durak, consuls from Iran and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, KTU Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı, President of the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Erkut Çelebi, academics, students, and regional industry representatives.

Opening Remarks from Key Speakers

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı, highlighted in his speech, “It is essential that knowledge produced at universities is safeguarded through patents and made available for societal benefit. This process enables the commercialization of research and provides a fundamental mechanism to strengthen university-industry collaboration and enhance competitiveness. At Karadeniz Technical University, we take pride in playing an important role in contributing academic inventions to the economy.”

WIPO Director for Developed and Transition Countries Prof. Dr. Habip Asan stated, “This project, whose launch we celebrate today, is a tangible reflection of WIPO’s mission. Commercializing intellectual property is critical for the financial sustainability of innovative projects, especially in times of economic challenges. Beyond providing capital to entrepreneurs, this process has the potential to create a broad economic impact.”

Governor Aziz Yıldırım, beginning his speech with a quote from Mevlana, remarked, “Patents are crucial for protecting and promoting innovation. Our universities play a vital role in transforming scientific research into added value through patent production. I believe that the Project on Commercializing Intellectual Property in Academia will be a pioneering effort in bringing scientific ideas into the economy. Universities should not only produce knowledge but also serve as centers that contribute this knowledge to the economy and industry.”

Project Goals and Training Program

In this project, hosted for the first time in Türkiye at our university, WIPO experts provided commercialization training for spin-off companies. This three-day training offered participants in-depth information on intellectual property strategies, brand management, and intellectual property in software. On the first day, foundational topics such as “Introduction to Intellectual Property” and “Unique Selling Proposition Validation” were covered. The second day focused on intellectual property in software and artificial intelligence, as well as government incentives in Türkiye. The training concluded on the third day with one-on-one “Action Plan Consulting” for participants. This program aimed to invigorate the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem and accelerate the commercialization process of academic inventions.

The launch event concluded with gift presentations: Trabzon Governor Aziz Yıldırım to WIPO Director Prof. Dr. Habip Asan and our Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı to TÜRKPATENT President Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Durak.

 

Önceki Sonraki