Interview with Dr Cezary Odrzygóźdź, Chairman of IDUB Team 4, Director of the Centre for Academic Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer at UMK.

BZ: Good morning, Mr Director. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. I am glad that we can talk about your experience so far and your plans for CPATT.

CO: Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to talk. I am always happy to share my thoughts, especially when it comes to areas as important to me as science, innovation and academic entrepreneurship.

BZ: Could you talk about your professional and academic experience so far and what decided and led you to take on the position of Director of CPATT?

CO: What first caught my attention was that I was always looking for alternative paths to scientific development. Science has always been a priority for me, and this has been reflected in my educational pathway, starting with my studies and continuing through to my PhD. At the same time, however, I have strived to broaden my horizons and explore new areas, especially in the context of science popularisation, technology transfer and cooperation with the socio-economic environment.

A key aspect of my activities has always been to look for ways to put scientific achievements into practice for the common good – both socially and in business. I believe that science has a huge impact on economic development and that effective cooperation between universities and businesses can bring tangible benefits to both parties.

It was these interests that led me to apply for this position and enter the competition. I wanted to look at the process from the other side as well, to gain new experiences and to pursue my passions in knowledge transfer and commercialisation. An important aspect of my vision is also the direct and indirect involvement of students in entrepreneurial initiatives and the implementation of the so-called third mission of the university – i.e. activities for society and the socio-economic environment.

BZ: How do you see the role of CPATT in the context of UMK’s development strategy for the coming years?

CO: The Centre for Academic Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer (CPATT) was established to incubate innovative solutions and to support researchers in their activities, especially in the transfer of knowledge and its practical application. CPATT has a key role in supporting researchers both at the stage of setting up spin-off and start-up companies and in providing advisory services to external entities such as companies, public institutions or NGOs.

One of my key goals is for CPATT to become an even more open, dynamic and effective innovation support entity. I would like the centre to promote good practice in academic entrepreneurship and be seen as a strategic partner for both researchers and business.

My vision is also to break down the barriers between basic research and its practical implementation. I would like CPATT to become a kind of HUB to which scientists, students and entrepreneurs can turn with ideas and jointly implement their projects.

An important aspect of CPATT’s activities should also be involvement in the commercialisation process at its early stages – not only when a research project is ready for implementation, but still at the concept stage. Experts, innovation brokers and advisors should actively support researchers in assessing the market potential of their research, helping to identify viable business and societal needs.

BZ: How does CPATT intend to work with local businesses and institutions to support innovation in the region?

CO: One of my priorities for this year is to accurately map the needs of researchers and analyse to what extent their research meets the needs of the labour market and business sector.

I would like to organise regular meetings with local entrepreneurs, especially those who are willing to cooperate with the university and are facing specific technological challenges. Cooperation between the university and business can be mutually beneficial – businesses can benefit from the unique knowledge and resources of academia, and scientists get the chance to implement their solutions in real-world settings.

I also plan to create dedicated platforms for the exchange of knowledge and experience, which will enable scientists and businesses to meet regularly, discuss and initiate joint research and development projects. It is important that this dialogue works in both directions – not only should entrepreneurs voice their needs, but scientists must also be proactive in proposing innovative solutions.

In addition, I intend to establish an External Stakeholders Council, consisting of representatives of key economic sectors and experts supporting the university in building a development strategy and effective cooperation with the socio-economic environment.

I would like the Council to become a dynamic platform for the exchange of information, knowledge and needs, fostering an open dialogue between the university and its environment. I am keen for our university not to be perceived as a closed institution and for researchers to go beyond the walls of laboratories and actively interact with entrepreneurs, institutions and society. The External Stakeholder Council will be one of the key mechanisms for such interaction, especially for those who see the value and need to involve both academia and representatives of different sectors of the economy.

BZ: In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing Technology Transfer Centres in Poland and CPATT UMK in particular?

CO: At the national level, Technology Transfer Centres have a supportive but optional function – universities are not obliged to set them up, although active support for academic entrepreneurship should and at many universities is standard.

Our university has a great potential both in terms of research and cooperation with business, which we must not waste. One of the key challenges is to increase the importance of commercialisation and popularisation of science in the evaluation of researchers’ achievements. The current evaluation system focuses mainly on publications and grants, often marginalising the practical applications of research results. Introducing mechanisms to support innovative scientific activity would be a step in the right direction.

Another challenge is to change the perception of universities by the business sector. Companies need to see that cooperation with scientists can bring them concrete benefits – both technological and financial. It is important to build the right image of the university as a reliable business partner and to break the stereotypes of a closed academic environment.

BZ: How do you plan to support the development of academic entrepreneurship at our university?

CO: Yes, my first concern is to make sure that the solutions we already have attract as many people as possible. For this reason, I want to invite direct stakeholders, such as the student and doctoral student government, into the dialogue and cooperation. Their involvement can really help to promote this initiative, as well as other pro-development activities – not only start-ups, but also broadly defined projects supporting the development of students and doctoral students. I would like local authorities to clearly define their needs and expectations so that we – as solution providers – do not operate in the dark.

At the same time, I am keen to show that university is the best time to explore the business world. Later on, it is much harder to find people with similar interests who are committed to focusing on one topic. College and academic time is a unique moment when young people can develop their passions and test their ideas without fear of failure, but rather treating it as a valuable lesson.

They have scientists and experts around them ready to support them, and the extensive activities of the study circles provide additional opportunities for development. I would like to see an equally active pro-entrepreneurial movement. I believe that our current initiatives are valuable but need more publicity. Therefore, I would like to see regular meetings between business and students – to showcase both the successes and challenges of running your own business. The entrepreneurial path is not always strewn with roses – running your own business is a challenge that requires full commitment, often 24 hours a day. Only after time, when you have managed to create a solid foundation and team, can you think about changing your approach.

BZ: What priorities do you intend to pursue in the near future?

CO: In the first instance, I am focusing on the implementation of ad hoc activities and the continuation of projects already underway, such as IDUB, in which CPATT is also involved, as well as initiatives that are on the horizon, such as Science for Business – which means proper acceleration and smooth operation within these projects.

The second important aspect is legislative changes, involving internal regulations to foster academic entrepreneurship. A key objective is to standardise technology transfer processes to make them more accessible to business. Cooperation between science and the economy should be smooth – without unnecessary delays, as business expects quick and concrete action.

That is why I am keen to standardise various aspects of this cooperation – both in the formal and practical areas, e.g. by simplifying contracts or standardising cost eligibility rules. In the short term, I would also like to put more emphasis on popularising academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer itself – treating it as a space for synergy between science and business. In this context, it will also be important to develop a coherent communication strategy that effectively demonstrates the value and importance of these activities.

I also plan to actively identify scientists interested in cooperating with business, and use their successes as examples to confirm that CPATT is a reliable and valuable partner. The long-term goal is to establish CPATT as an innovation support entity – one that understands both the needs of researchers and the expectations of business, and effectively bridges the two worlds.

BZ: The IDUB programme has entered its final year. What key activities related to academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer do you plan to implement as part of this programme? Do you see an opportunity to continue or develop its initiatives after IDUB funding ends?

CO: The end of the IDUB project is fast approaching and many of the activities planned under the first proposal have been implemented 100 per cent and even exceeded expectations. I am glad that the real needs were recognised and addressed accordingly. The project design itself was well thought out, allowing for long-term skills development, the implementation of effective solutions and the creation of an environment conducive to academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

In the last year, my aim is to achieve full realisation of the set indicators and demonstrate that initiatives related to academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer, although not always explicitly stated in the project documents, have been and will be implemented at the highest level. I hope that our activities will translate into long-term effects, contributing to the further development of this sphere.

I believe and keep my fingers crossed for all those who will be involved in the preparation of the next IDUB proposal. I hope that it will also include aspects related to CPATT, academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer. For my part, I will do my best to ensure that the future IDUB project addresses these key areas and responds effectively to market needs. I would like it to educate talented people with high market potential, support the acceleration of new companies and start-ups, and enable the creation of innovative technologies that will gain international recognition – both in the legislative (patents) and promotional context, which is an important element in the commercialisation of solutions and services.

I believe that appropriate mobilisation and commitment will enable us to achieve all the indicators we have set out. I hope that this year will be the moment when we can proudly say that we have done a great job.

BZ: Would you like to say a final word to the university community?

CO: First and foremost, my door – both physical and virtual – is always open to anyone who wants to act in this area. I encourage you to get in touch, whether you already have a clearly defined concept or are just looking for direction.

Our aim is not only to assess whether an idea is interesting and feasible, but also to support it at various stages of its development. I am happy to meet with both those who are just shaping their idea and those who already have concrete plans and need specific facilitation – whether in finding a partner or in obtaining the right funding. I am open to working with students, PhD students, researchers, as well as administrative staff, if they have the will to act.

In conclusion, I am guided by a motto that fits perfectly with academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer: I like to talk about science, I like to listen about science, but most of all I like to talk about it. That is why I invite everyone to talk to me.