CLDP has been working with Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC), select Pakistani universities and key private sector stakeholders on establishing a university-based innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through installation of technology transfer offices (TTOs) and technology incubators (TIs) on university campuses.

As a continuation of these efforts, CLDP conducted a U.S. study tour for a 12-member delegation representing five new universities that are interested in establishing TTOs and TIs at their respective universities.

In Washington, D.C., consultations featured sessions on technology transfer with CLDP and the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, and visits to a Johns Hopkins research and development institute and an open fabrication and prototyping studio.  From there, the delegation travelled to Denver to participate in the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) course on Technology Operations and Organization Licensing Skills (TOOLS), designed to provide a fundamental understanding of technology transfer and the patent and licensing processes.  Participants then visited Oklahoma State University to observe the policies and procedures of a successful TTO.  Topics covered over the course of the program include: IP protection and management strategy; technology valuation; technology commercialization; technology licensing; technology-based entrepreneurship and on services to industry and negotiation skills for technology commercialization.