On February 19-22, 2023, CLDP convened government officials, academics, and other technology transfer professionals from Algeria, Armenia, Georgia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia to attend the 2023 AUTM Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.  AUTM (formerly the Association of University Technology Managers) supports technology transfer worldwide by developing best practices for university technology transfer offices and facilitating relations with industry to ensure that inventions with high commercial potential reach the marketplace for the benefit of people everywhere. The Annual Meeting is a platform for representatives of developing and transitional countries to learn from and leverage the resources of AUTM through the coursework presented during the annual meeting and the networking inherent in attending the event.

Prior to attending the Annual Meeting, participants participated in a private training led by CLDP experts on best practices and lessons learned in the field of technology transfer and IP commercialization. During the course of the training and Annual Meeting, CLDP experts provided guidance to each country delegation on the challenges they face as they endeavor to build and sustain successful technology transfer offices.

Technology transfer is a process by which ideas, research, or other technology developed in institutions such as universities may be shared through agreements with organizations who can commercialize those ideas or technologies. Often, this research would otherwise sit unused or studied only for academic purposes; however, through technology transfer, ideas or technology can be shared for commercialization and contribute to the public good.