Centre for Knowledge Transfer & DevelopmentUniversity of Crete

June, 2010

Antonios Aggelakis

antaggel@liaison.uoc.gr

Role: a. the provision of research and technology support services to the research community, b. the formulation and implementation of integrated actions towards mutually beneficial collaboration amongst regional actors, considering:

◦ the benefits of research support institutions on the accumulated knowledge dynamics within the University of Crete

◦ the knowledge exchange as a dynamic, bidirectional procedure

◦ the potential areas of intervention in local production and innovation systems (i.e. primary sector, environment, traditional productive activities)

Mapping knowledge and research support services (i.e. IPR, licensing, funding, spin-off support, collaborations)

Registering local innovation systems’ needs and dynamics

Diffusion methods of knowledge results, collaboration (i.e. technology licensing, joint ventures, spin-offs), human capital mobility encouragement

Formulation and contribution to collaborative ventures (i.e. RITTS, CRINNO, Innovation Pole, Innovation Centre)

The Innovation Centre of Crete (ICC) is an effort to rationalize, optimize and expand knowledge transfer and innovation promotion activities in specific areas of agricultural development and environmental protection

ICC operates as a pole of knowledge exchange on innovative research findings by the collaborating research organizations to local SMEs, with an emphasis on local natural resources, while it will also act as a facilitator of demonstration, cooperation and dissemination

Partners: Technical University of Crete, University of Crete, TEI Crete, NAGREF – Institute of Subtropical Plants and Olive Tree, Mediterranean Αgronomic Ιnstitute of Chania, Greek Association of Industries and Processors of Olive Oil, Euro Innovation Partnership (Norway) AS

1.0 Creation and Operation ICC

2.0 Demonstration of innovative environmental technologies (11 actions)

i.e. Demonstration of alternative technologies for wastewater treatment and reuse

3.0 Demonstration of innovative technological services (6 actions)i.e. Mobile lab for on-site analyses related to the agricultural

sector

4.0 Demonstration of innovations in production & product promotion (3 actions)

5.0 Project management

A2.3.5 Demonstration of the flocculation/absorption of olive mill wastewater

Aim: The pilot demonstration of a novel method for the purification of olive mill wastewater (OMWW) using a combination of flocculation/filtration and resin absorption, with a possible use of the purified water effluent.

Scientist in charge: Elias Castanas (Professor of Medicine, University of Crete)

A3.1 Demonstration of a quality assurance system of production quality and plant geographical origin for the pharmaceutical and aromatic plants of Crete

Aim: The demonstration of a novel and innovative method for (1) Assurance of the geographical Origin of Pharmaceutical and Aromatic plants in Crete and (2) Assurance of Quality Consistency in the Production of the Aromatic and Pharmaceutical Plants from the Flora of Crete.

Scientist in charge: Haralambos E. Katerinopoulos, (Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete)

A.3.4. Standardization–Quality & Safety Control of whey cheese products (protected designation of origin, PDO products)

Aims: The aims are (a) The estimation and recording the Microbiological and Chemical Parameters that influence the Microbiological and Chemical Safety of products and (b) The development of mathematic Models of prediction that they will describe and appreciate the Behaviour of Pathogenic micro-organisms in certain products (i.e. Xinomyzithra, Piktogalo, Mizithra).

Scientist in charge: I. Tselentis (Head Professor, Faculty of Sciences of Health, Unit of Foods, Waters and Environmental Microbiology of the University of Crete).

Operation of ICC and Network of Technology Transfer Offices: A. Offering consulting services to Spin Off companies and to companies of the

agricultural sectori. Procedures for patenting – Technology transfer

ii. Assessment of commercial exploitation of technologies

iii. Creation of a Portfolio of technology promotion

iv. Issuing of business plans

v. Support during the creation of spin off

vi. Financing sources – Marketing to investors – Feasibility for Seed Capital creation

vii. Technology promotion, coordination of business trips to technology shows

B. Operation of the Network of Liaison Offices and Development of Liaison Services

Main objective of the network will be to immediately inform ICC of new technologies and research results of the cooperating centres from the participating Liaison Offices, focusing of course on technologies related to management of natural resources.

Offering high quality services of technology transfer and innovation support through the Liaison Offices and ICC demand continuous development of techniques and tools for service support exploiting new technologies.

C. Planning and Management of Incubator and Management of Demonstration Projects:

ICC will plan and operate the Incubator, aiming to support the development of innovative companies.

A ‘Virtual Incubator’ is created which ‘houses’ the demonstration projects of this Program, while at the same time it creates the conditions for the planning and operation of the actual Incubator (physical space).

Benefits: Further development of expertise in certain research and productive areas Establishment of suitable structures for the knowledge-based support on

local products or services, particularly for SMEs Support for the establishment of companies in certain productive fields Continuing education on technological and organisational issues Information services on available technologies, methods, knowledge Systematic approach to knowledge exchange from research organizations to

local enterprises and back in Services on extra-regional strategic coupling level