Africa R&D and Innovation Commercialization Conference

and centres with the opportunities identified not only on capacity and skills build-up, but also on the evaluation of the external climate which includes African national, regional priorities. Aims of the Conference
The conference aims to encourage, exhibit and showcae research & development output and result, innovation and technology commercialisation performances of tertiary and research institutions in Africa through:
• Creating the right academic environment for needs driven researches and innovation to be developed.
• Developing effective commercialisation support structures for all tertiary and research institutions in Africa
• Developing expanded relationships with existing companies and multinational that will act as receptors to innovative researches and technology from the tertiary and research institutions
• Strengthening corporate-base relationships between tertiary and research institutions, government and companies

The event is a cluster of expert from the various related works of life in order to concentrate resources for research result, innovation and technology to be commercialized in order to reinforce excellence and sustain world-class research centres that have pursued out excellence in research and act as a linkage to international centres and promote national key areas of research excellence. This conference is one viable opportunity for governments, industries and tertiary and research institutions to stimulate entrepreneurship and technological development through investments in research commercialization, infrastructure and environmental support strategy which are important to the industrial sector. This event creates better and viable medium of communication between industries, corporations and tertiary institutions for better partnership, collaboration and support in order to enhance research areas worthy of economic development within our environment. Research Commercialization Opportunities
• Forging partnership between tertiary institutions and industry through sharing of resources that would enable research commercialization, technology transfer and ease the tertiary institutions limited scientific and technical expertise.
• Industry collaborations and participation in research activities will also be necessary for promising innovations to move beyond the stage of initial prototype or demonstration to commercialization.
• The conference programme will illuminate research commercialization and technology transfer to various tertiary and research institutions, thereby challenging researchers and assisting them in understanding real-world challenges that limit technological implementation and commercialization.
• The conference will allows for better understanding on how more successful researches are transferred from the tertiary institution and research institutes to the market for the progress of the economic society thereby proffering tangible solutions to the industry.
• Enable efficient resource utilization and maximize public and private return on investment

Benefit of the Conference

Benefits of university research to businesses
World-class academic researchers from tertiary and research institutions require great underpins for the success and competitiveness of many businesses in Africa. It has been well acknowledged that companies, particularly knowledge intensive ones, gain competitive advantage from working with universities by:
• Gaining access to research expertise
• Access to resources
• Research consortia
• Consultancy. Potential Personal Benefits to attendees from tertiary, research institutions and corporations
• Practical application of research in developing products that will foster recognition of research efforts.
• Collaboration with industrial partners may provide invaluable experiences for the researcher, lecturers and students towards their future career paths.
• Potential monetary compensation in the form of equity, license fees or royalty payments.
• Gain best practice on bringing research to market, leading to scientific due diligence to best strategies towards exploiting the commercial niche, taking into consideration the steps to be taken when commercialising research, innovation or transferring technology.
• Learning from high profile speakers, professionals and other delegates, hearing success stories of innovative scientists as entrepreneurs. Network with leading figures from other tertiary institutions, investors, and companies from around the world and find out what has worked for them.
• Get expert advice on all aspects of the technology transfer process, gain insight on how to coordinate efficient contract negotiations and facilitate partnerships that maximise benefits for each stakeholder. Potential Personal Benefits of Commercializing Your Research

• Practical application of your research in developing products fosters the widest possible recognition of your research efforts.
• Collaboration with industrial partners may also result in financial sponsorship of additional research.
• Collaboration with industrial partners may financially support your students, provide them invaluable experience, and potentially future career paths.
• Potential monetary compensation in the form of equity, license fees or royalty payments. University Benefits of Commercializing Research

• Ensure public benefit from university research.
• Enhance the university’s research environment.
• Develop lasting industry relationships.
• Generate revenue for the university
• Meet the university’s intellectual property obligations to research sponsors. Reasons Not To Miss This Conference
For business representatives
• Inspire innovative of exploring new forms of tertiary institution and research centre-business-collaboration
• Access government research funds through partnership with universities
• Utilize the opportunity to discuss research/innovative ideas
• Learn new ways on how to make innovation products and technology research the market to meet the needs of the society
• Connect with partners, speakers and participants at various platforms

For University/Polytechnic/Research Centre leaders
• Get inspired by successful keynote speakers and other participants on how marketing approaches from other research institutions are carried out
• Learn about the various companies and industries needs and expectations on cross-organizational value creation
• Identify adequate financing partners from the venture capitalist
• Get valuable impulses on relevant innovation policy issues
• Engage with partners, speakers and participants

For innovation promotion professionals
• Learn about new ways to promote the transfer of knowledge and technology between universities and industry
• Get inspired to be even more targeted and results-oriented in your job
• Understand your clients and support them better
• Take advantage of the opportunity to discuss research ideas
• Exchange ideas with partners, speakers and participants
• Innovations are imperative for firms seeking a competitive advantage. The conference represents
• research priorities for industries and corporations
• competitive needs analysis
• strategic market research opportunities
The plenary and parallel sessions, including case study presentations will explore the challenges, risks and opportunities associated with research commercialization in science and engineering for the development of entrepreneurial ventures. This year theme of the conference are organised into various categories of
1. R & D, Technology Commercialization From The African Continent trends and prospects
2. Research Commercialization/Technology Transfer And Research Transfer Policies
4. Research Knowledge Transfer Between The Industry & Institution For Best Practice
Each containing sub-themes which will be of high interest to our participants. Proposals, abstracts and papers will be reviewed by an international scientific committee with a double blind review process. Proposals are submitted to [email protected] and a full list of the theme and breakdown of the sub-theme as well as detailed information of this conference can be found at www.rdinnovation-africa.com. TARGET PARTICIPANTS-Who should attend? Research Commercialisation is new cross-discipline partnering event aimed at providing senior level participants with a unique opportunity to build new commercial partnerships
• Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors,
• Presidents and Vice Presidents of learning and Innovation Institutions
• Provosts/Directors of Research Institutes
• Chief Executive Officers
• Deans of Faculties/Colleges
• Chief Innovative Officers
• Chief Technology Officers
• Venture Capitalist
• Entrepreneurs
• Innovators and futurists
• Senior academics and researchers from tertiary and Research Institutes
• Research Administrators
• Analysts
• Marketers
• Senior scientists
• Investors
• Students
• Other categories of individuals (including early-career researchers) desirous of acquiring skills in research management