Minding the gap

The leap from research to commercialisation isn’ t just about having a great invention – it’ s about having the right mindset, the right partners, and a roadmap.

When researchers engage with industry needs, they sharpen their focus on solving real-world problems, making their work more relevant, fundable, and – dare I say – publishable in high-impact journals. After all, universities thrive on rankings, and nothing boosts citations like a breakthrough technology that transforms industries.

However, shifting research from‘ interesting’ to‘ investable’ is no small feat. It requires researchers to think beyond the grant cycle and consider questions like: Who needs this? Why now? What’ s stopping adoption? The sooner researchers grapple with these questions, the better their chances at commercialisation success.

Industry engagement acts as a reality check. Connecting researchers with potential industry partners isn’ t just about securing funding – it’ s about gaining feedback. If no one outside academia is excited about technology, it’ s a clear signal that the value proposition needs refinement.

			MARKET IS THE FUTURE
AS a technology transfer professional in an education institution, my job is part translator, part strategist, and part matchmaker for innovation – researchers create groundbreaking ideas, industry seeks the next big thing, and I make sure they find each other before frustration sets in. In the innovation ecosystem, Technology Transfer Offices( TTOs) play the role of not only protecting innovative university research but also turning it into a commercial impact. While straddling the fine line between academia and industry, we nurture promising research projects and guide them towards commercial success – often with a blend of encouragement, tough love, and a fair bit of caffeine. Amid the whirlwind of Intellectual Property( IP) filings and grant applications, researchers are slowly coming to a realisation( sometimes the hard way) that a groundbreaking invention is only as valuable as its market demand.	Nor Farah Natasha Tajuddin is an Ecosystem Builder based at Taylor’ s University’ s Research & Enterprise Department.	The leap from research to commercialisation isn’ t just about having a great invention – it’ s about having the right mindset, the right partners, and a roadmap that doesn’ t just lead to another research grant but to actual market adoption. I spend a fair amount of time explaining to researchers the financial realities of intellectual property management, emphasising that‘ exposure’ alone doesn’ t pay the patent fees. Unexploited patents can become liabilities if they fail to generate Return on Investment( ROI). Additionally, filing and maintaining a patent is expensive, often running into tens of thousands of ringgits over its lifetime. THE BALANCING ACT One of the biggest myths I’ ve encountered is that market-driven research is somehow less“ pure” than fundamental research. On the contrary, market alignment doesn’ t dilute scientific rigour – it amplifies its impact.	The best research outcomes emerge when we co-create with industry, government, and society. TTOs play to bridge the gaps between these ecosystem players for translating academic ingenuity into solutions that benefit people, industries, and economies. This ensures that innovations address real-world needs, enhancing their market relevance and impact. Industry provides market insights and needs, the government offers policy support and funding, and society ensures solutions are user-centric and socially responsible. At the heart of it all, we aim to empower the researchers – we provide them with the tools, networks, and mindset to make informed choices. Some may choose to stay within academia, while others may venture into startups or spin-offs. Either way, their work gains visibility, relevance, and the potential to shape the world. In the end, tech transfer is about transforming knowledge into value, one innovation at a time.- @ green

@Green April/May 2025 | Page 24

Minding the gap

AS a technology transfer professional in an education institution, my job is part translator, part strategist, and part matchmaker for innovation – researchers create groundbreaking ideas, industry seeks the next big thing, and I make sure they find each other before frustration sets in.