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Innovators from the University of Warsaw go to the USA
for new ideas
The third edition of the governmental program „Top 500 Innovators” has ended. 116 finalists will go for a two-month traineeship to the best research institutions in the world in order to learn about commercialization of scientific research and cooperation between science and economy. Among them are Dariusz Ko這da and Doctor Adam Lewera from our University.
Representatives of the University of Warsaw had to beat many competitors. 376 candidates from higher education institutions, research centers, institutes of the Polish Academy of Science and technology transfer centers from all over Poland participated in the edition.
After formal assessment, candidates took part in interviews focusing on innovative character of the projects conducted, their previous commercialization successes, motivation to participate in the program, teamwork ability and knowledge of English. Finally, 116 persons were selected, representing 63 institutions all over Poland.
Dariusz Ko這da works at the Biological and Chemical Research Centre and the University Technology Transfer Centre. He supports scientists from our University in the process of protecting their intellectual property, finds business partners interested in commercialization of research, obtains funds for international protection of inventions. Thanks to the program he will be able to learn how world leaders in technology transfer deal with these matters.
“I have heard a lot about openness, innovativeness, creativity and orientation towards cooperation, on which so much emphasis is placed on American universities”, said Dariusz Ko這da. “For us, Europeans, restrained on every single step by rules, procedures, bureaucratic reluctance and tardiness, such a traineeship is a chance to change the perspective of perception. I do believe that participation in the program will be a stimulus for me to alter the reality surrounding me in my everyday work at the University. Once I am back, I will be striving to implement the best solutions that I will have learned”, added the program’s finalist.
Traineeship at one of the best American Universities is an investment not only in professional, but also personal development. “I will have a first-hand experience of the culture and civilization that are so different than ours. Meeting something new, unknown is always an inspiration and broadens one’s horizons, lets you reach beyond the limits that constrain you, which can translate directly into success of my research body and my colleagues”, said Dariusz Ko這da.
Doctor Adam Lewera is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Warsaw. He specializes in electrocatalysis, nanomaterials and new sources of energy.
“I do hope that the traineeship will help me learn about new methods of work and of commercializing research applied in the best research centers of the world. It is the more important, as I often feel he lack of necessary skills to effectively commercialize the results of my research so that it can benefit not only the academia. In particular nanomaterials, which I am working on, can in the future give us new, more effective and environmentally friendly sources of energy and better catalysers of processes commonly used in industry”, said Doctor Lewera.
“Two-months’ traineeship at one of the best universities in the world will undoubtedly impact my career. I am planning to use the skills learnt there in order to efficiently implement the results of research. It is also the mission of the Biological and Chemical Research Centre of the University of Warsaw, where my laboratories are located. I hope that this traineeship will contribute to the success of that project, and that soon we will hear about many new implementations of results of the research conducted by teams working there”, said the governmental program’s finalist.
Dariusz Ko這da and Doctor Adam Lewera are not the only employees of the University of Warsaw who qualified for the program. In October, the trail was blazed by Doctor Ewelina Zabost and Doctor Dariusz Ekonomiuk, who spent two months at Stanford University, in the very heart of the Silicon Valley.
„Top 500 Innovators” is the biggest governmental program supporting innovation in science. As part of the traineeship, the participants observe the work of foreign companies where commercialization of research plays an important role, meet entrepreneurs and representatives of venture capital. Above all, the traineeship offers a chance to develop soft skills, such as group work and work on a multidisciplinary research team, creative thinking, effective decision making and conflict solving.
