Technology transfer in the conditions of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava was the key topic of the visit of Daren Tang, the President of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), to the STU Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the University Technology Incubator (STU) on Monday, 16 May.
Accompanied by Matúš Medvec, the Chair of the SR Industrial Property Office, President Daren Tang together with the WIPO delegation was interested in the activities of the STU InQb and the forms of support it provides to bearers of original business ideas, STU students in particular. Andrea Miklasová, the STU InQb head, presented the history and current operation of the Incubator, its partners and mentors, and provided examples of the companies that have developed into successful businesses thanks to the Incubator.
"In terms of intellectual property protection, it is very important that the founding members of future start-ups realize the importance and necessity of protection, whether trademark, design, patent or utility model. That was the main topic of Mr. Thong, the WIPO President. Besides the intellectual property protection, he was also interested in the obstacles impeding the way of start-ups in successfully starting their business," said Andrea Miklasová.
"Our education system is based on the principles of scientific research, as well as on creativity of teachers and students. We address the issues of applied research directly connected with the industrial sphere. We strive to be an evident leader in the field of technical education and also transfer of knowledge into industrial practice," stated Ján Híveš, the STU Vice-Rector for Science and Research.
"After attaining interesting results in cooperation with the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (UPV SR), we are pleased to have attracted also the WIPO attention. The STU belongs to the leaders in the intellectual property processes and support, as well as its transfer. Thanks to the Incubator and its support programmes, the STU students can develop and implement their business plans while studying at the University. So far, more than 60 active STU start-ups have earned more than 13 million euros since their establishment," said Maximilián Strémy, the STU Vice-Rector for Strategic Projects, Development, Innovation and Practice.
Presentations of Attachtap and Nanodi, two successful current start-up companies, were also part of the WIPO delegation's programme at FEI HUB. Attachtap was founded by Peter Ďurica, an STU FEI student and Sondre Reinertsen who presented a new generation of virtual business cards via the NFC function in mobile. This type of sharing the contact data and business information fully replaces paper business cards.
Nanodi was represented by Michala Lipková, the Head of the STU Faculty of Architecture and Design (FAD) Institute of Design. The FAD students (Ivana Palušová, Jana Vlčková) and a research team led by Marián Vojs have developed innovative devices utilising diamond layers to convert water into disinfection and taking care of air purification.
Daren Tang, the WIPO President, took a keen interest in the technological aspects of both start-ups’ products and the way of their intellectual property protection. Subsequently, he also visited the premises of the STU InQb and its coworking, where he got acquainted with the Yvents start-up operating there. In the Laboratory of the Institute of Electronics and Photonics, researcher Marian Vojs introduced the WIPO delegation to the production of diamond layers, the technology which the Nanodi start-up uses by in its product. The diamond layers produced at the Department of Sensors and Nanotechnologies (STU FEI ÚEF) are used for water purification and detection of undesirable substances in it, and can be also used to make jewellery.