Recorded webcast available for Dr. Janne Virtapohja's seminar on: "Technology Transfer at Finnish Universities: What is the Impact on the Economy?"

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, February 3, 2003 --- Dr. Janne Virtapohja, Innovation Manager for the Foundation for Finnish Inventions / University of Jyväskylä in Finland discussed today the economic impact of technology transfer from Finnish Universities. Dr. Virtapohja received his PH.D. in 1998 from the University of Jyväskylä. The seminar was given on February 3, 2003 at 11:00 am and was made available by live and archived webcast.

The traditional mission of the Finnish Universities is to promote free research and scientific and artistic education and to provide higher education based on research. The basis of this mission is the University Act. In the past years this mission has changed significantly and it includes the following new elements:

- The search for academic research based innovations that contribute to the development of new products and processes;
- Development of commercially relevant high-tech and know-how services;
- Development and commercialization of ideas and innovations in cooperation with industry.

The development of innovation support services at the Finnish Universities was started in the late 90´s by the Ministry of Education. With the funding of the Ministry and with the aid of innovation managers employed by the Foundation for Finnish Inventions but working at the Universities it has been possible to develop innovation support services. The targets of technology transfer at the Universities are transformation of inventions into practical applications through a gapless innovation process, appropriate administration of agreements as well as intensified cooperation with companies. The intention is to develop innovations into licensed or patented products. The aim is to build up a coherent innovation process, which will make possible the maximal exploitation of research results.

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About CPBIS: The Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies (CPBIS) is a globally recognized and industry-valued academic center, creating knowledge and tools that support paper industry decision-makers, and producing interdisciplinary graduates who contribute to the long-term success of the paper industry. The CPBIS is co-sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and the Paper Industry.
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