In order to cope with the changing reality, there is always the need of sophisticated tools or thoughts or innovations. The same notion is also one of the main weapons of the world of science and technology and the introduction of a new professional course in technology transfer management is an example of it. The new course has been introduced by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), a statutory board in Singapore formed to foster world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore.

Why don’t we know more of this new course? The course or Traineeship for Technology Transfer Management (T3M), it has been found, is offered by Exploits Technology, A*Star’s marketing arm, and funded by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and has the objective to build a pool of savvy technopreneurs proficient in managing Intellectual Property (IP) and commercializing technology and research.

The programme is, basically, a two year traineeship programme with a structured curriculum comprising seminars, projects, workshops, case studies, bootcamps, guided self-learning modules (e-learning), and on the job training. Besides, the curriculum consists of more than 25 modules including IP Management, Essentials of Licensing, Evaluation of Technology Disclosure and Strategic IP Marketing and Tactics. It has been learnt that Bootcamps will also be organized jointly with Technology Transfer Network (TTN) founding members through the TTN Training and Certification Workgroup, and IP Academy (Singapore).

Each and every trainee will also undergo job rotations at A*Star and Exploit Technologies for experience and in the final eight months of the programme, trainees may opt to specialize in one of three work areas, namely, IP Management, Commercialization of Technology or Technopreneurship.

Will the magic work? ‘Singapore has in place a good R&D infrastructure and A*Star has over the years developed excellent R&D capabilities. Such great science, however, must be complemented with a competent team who can bring the technologies to the market,’ said Mr. Boon Swan Foo, executive chairman of Exploit Technologies.