Is the drive towards commercialization moving universities away from their core mission? Not according to rector, Gilles Patry who gave the keynote address at the first session of the 2004 Smart City Summit, a major business and technology conference and exhibition that draws international attention from business and government.
Patry’s address entitled “Innovation in Universities and the Drive towards Commercialization” touched upon several key elements surrounding the commercialization of research findings. “The University of Ottawa supports the concept of bringing ideas to market without compromising curiosity-driven research, the basis upon which future commercialization opportunities rest,” explained Patry.“Universities have a responsibility to share their discoveries with Canadians and bring them to market and this is supported by government.”
In fact, the recent federal budget included spending measures for university research. Among those are $90 million in additional funding for the three granting councils and $20 million to cover indirect costs of research and the investment in commercialization. The budget provides $50 million over five years for a pilot fund to improve the capacity for commercialization in the higher education sector.
The trend to more commercialization in university research is a concern to some faculty, especially in the humanities and social sciences. However, Patry pointed out that the concept of bringing ideas to market is not the sole domain of science, technology or health sciences. “I would argue,” said Patry, “that in the humanities and social sciences writing a book, publishing it and bringing it to market, is intellectual property that is being commercialized.”
Patry, who was named executive of the year, public sector category, by the Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la Capitale nationale on April 17, presented statistics that clearly showed that commercialization in Canadian universities is at its infancy compared to U.S. universities.
Looking towards the future, Patry outlined some of the measures the University is taking to bring ideas to market. The University is aligning its commercial strategy with its four areas of development. It is providing support and resources to researchers. It is recognizing and rewarding contributions of faculty to innovation and is building partnerships with businesses and government.
Patry concluded by saying that it was critical the University harness the benefits of university-based discoveries because the potential returns are important. He also emphasized the importance of a three-way partnership (government, private sector and universities) where everyone is rewarded for their contribution.
