Facilitating Technology Transfer Among Engineering Community Members

Abstract

A report, entitled “Benchmarking University-Industry Technology Transfer in the South and the EPSCoR States,” by Waugaman and Tornatzky (1998) found that universities in Alabama have a poor technology-transfer record when compared to their counterparts in other states. Not a single university was listed among the “best-in-class” universities that produced significant economic impact among the 72 universities that were analyzed in this report. This report notes that those universities that emphasize technology development as an essential extension of basic research will generally also be more competitive in research. This problem of a poor technology-transfer seems strange given the enormous effort put forth by many individuals and organizations at state and local levels. The problem seems to arise not from any one group’s deficiencies, but rather from the fragmentation of effort across a wide spectrum. Better communication among non-affiliated groups could increase the effectiveness of technology transfer, thus potentially creating a significant positive economic impact in Alabama. To change this trend and position, the Auburn University College of Engineering, as a leader in