Entrepreneurship: Basic research is bedrock of innovation, says TAU president Joseph Klafter
Tel Aviv University (TAU), founded in 1950s, is Israel’s largest and most influential institution of higher learning. In a span of half a century, TAU has emerged as one of the best universities in the world, according to various global rankings.
Tel Aviv University (TAU), founded in 1950s,
is Israel’s largest and most influential institution of higher learning. In a
span of half a century, TAU has emerged as one of the best universities in the
world, according to various global rankings. “TAU is defined by ground-breaking
research, leading researchers and faculty, a strong interdisciplinary focus,
and the values of globalism, pluralism and social responsibility,” says Joseph
Klafter, president, TAU, who was in India recently to attend the India-Israel
Forum sponsored by TAU and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). In an
interview with FE’s Vikram Chaudhary, he shares a few notes on
entrepreneurship. Excerpts:
Israel has become famous for its start-up
culture. What has been the role of Israeli universities in promoting the same?
While modern entrepreneurs, more often than
not, are born in universities, the primary mandate of a university must be
basic research. Without excellent basic research, you cannot do any kind of
innovation. Another role of a university is to provide the right means to those
who can take the basic research to an idea that can be commercialised. So, the
university has to play a mentor.
How should students approach the mentor?
A student who has an idea—be it any kind of
idea—must not shy away from support. At times, what happens is the idea may not
appear to be very clever—or the one that can be successfully commercialised—but
a professor can have the foresight and provide the student the right direction.
At the same time, a dedicated
entrepreneurship arm can make things easier for would-be entrepreneurs. For
example, at Tel Aviv University, there is a non-profit organisation called
StarTAU—TAU is short for Tel Aviv University—founded in 2009 by a group of
students who felt there’s a gap in the academy’s ability to support early-stage
entrepreneurs inside the campus. Today, StarTAU has grown to be the largest
entrepreneurship centre in Israel.
How does StarTAU operate?
Its mission is to provide students with the
professional guidance they need to start a business. Assistance is provided in
fields like biotech, internet & low-tech ventures, medical devices, patent
licensing, mobile applications. Training includes mentorship, workshops,
seminars and funding opportunities with a database of over 250 angels and
venture capitalists. StarTAU offers key networking and business resources and
open space hubs for students and entrepreneurs.
Does StarTAU also help students with the
patent process?
That’s where the role of a technology
transfer company on the campus assumes importance. We have the Ramot business
engagement centre. The Ramot brings promising scientific discoveries, developed
by TAU’s scientists, to markets, either to MNCs or newly-founded companies. It
provides the legal and commercial frameworks for inventions made by TAU
faculty, students and researchers, monetising discoveries with intellectual
property.
What have been the major innovations at TAU?
A lot, in fact. As far as daily use things
are concerned, innovations such as barcode scanners, bacteria-destroying
mouthwash and memory cards were originally developed by TAU researchers. These
products made their way from patents to commercial products, thanks to Ramot.
Lastly, what should be the role of the
government in promoting entrepreneurship?
Government should find resources for
universities, and let universities themselves find the path—let them decide
what to do with the money.
Source | Financial Express | 9 January 2017
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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