2010 Highlights

Intellectual Property Management

During 2010, the Innovation team played a key risk mitigation role for UWS reflecting an awareness of activities in other universities around Australia. IP Policy, staff contracts and visiting scientist agreements have all been changed to strengthen UWS’ IP position.

New commercial opportunities were identified and supported through the work of the IP Evaluation Panel which is comprised of UWS staff, external industry experts and a patent attorney. The panel provides a forum for academic staff and research students to develop and present a business case for their innovations and inventions, and access pre-patent funding. This activity was also supported by regular workshops and seminars on intellectual property for university academics and students. Innovation staff spent dedicated time at assigned research centres of excellence forming strong bonds throughout the year. As a direct result, there has been a significant increase in the number of disclosures of high quality inventions from both students and staff, and the identification of several commercialisation projects.

Development of the Equipment Project which facilitates external access to Flagship pieces of scientific equipment was brought to a mature position. External users of high end equipment such as the Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (SIMS), Electron microscopes and confocal microscopes can now easily approach UWS for access through our web page. This activity will grow research collaboration and contribute funds to support equipment maintenance and operations.

Other Activities

Other activities undertaken by UWS Innovation during 2010 included:

• Vice Chancellors excellence award in entrepreneurship for UWS intellectual property development and management.
• Development of industry relationships and potential collaboration through the Food Forum held on the Hawkesbury campus on 30 November 2010.  
• Three IP Evaluation Panels resulting in five provisional patent applications three of which were filed in 2010.
• Finalisation of commercialisation process model and potential partnerships.
• Implementation of the equipment access website booking system.
• Launch of ‘Innovate UWS’ blog and upgrade of website.