The 2026 ATRIP Mid-Year Webinar, titled Global Developments in Technology Transfer, brought together leading scholars to explore the contemporary international landscape of technology transfer, highlighting both ongoing challenges and recent progress. The panel was chaired by Prof. Caroline B. Ncube (University of Cape Town, South Africa; ATRIP Executive Committee Member), who guided a rich and comparative discussion across jurisdictions.
Prof. Jorge Contreras (University of Utah, USA)
“Academic Technology Transfer: Origins and Trajectory in the United States and Beyond”
Prof. Contreras examined the harmonizing influence of the American legal framework in the field of technology transfer, with particular attention to the Bayh–Dole Act and the adoption of similar legislation in multiple jurisdictions worldwide. He also highlighted recent legal debates, including ongoing discussions in the U.S. Congress regarding a potential increase in the federal government’s share of revenues derived from university research.
Prof. Timo Minssen (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
“The Evolving Landscape of Technology Transfer in Europe”
Prof. Minssen addressed the current challenges in Europe in translating strong academic research into innovation and technological progress. He discussed recent policy initiatives aimed at narrowing this gap by simplifying regulation and empowering start-ups and SMEs, including the Biotech Act, the Innovation Act, the Omnibus agenda and the proposed SEP Regulation. He further emphasized the growing importance of data and trade secrets governance in this evolving landscape.
Prof. Justyna Ożegalska-Trybalska (Jagiellonian University, Poland)
“Bridging the Gap: Regional Opportunities and Challenges in University Technology Transfer”
Shifting from a macro-level perspective to regional developments in Central and Eastern Europe, Prof. Ożegalska-Trybalska examined, based on a regional case study (Poland) ongoing effort to move away from centralized approaches and overregulation toward a more “tech-friendly” model for universities She also highlighted the role of special intermediaries in research commercialization through the university spin-offs.
Prof. Masabumi Suzuki (Waseda University, Japan)
“Domestic and International Technology Transfer in Japan”
Prof. Suzuki explored how, despite Japan’s status as a global leader in technological innovation, recent challenges – including limited investment and a declining youth population – pose risks to its long-term competitiveness. He highlighted constraints placed on universities, particularly with regard to licensing freedom and compensation mechanisms, as significant factors affecting technology transfer. He also addressed the challenges of international technology transfer and introduced Japan’s efforts in that regard.
Prof. McLean Sibanda (Visiting Faculty, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe; Adjunct Professor of Innovation, University of South Africa, South Africa)
“Evolving Technology Transfer in Africa, with Lessons from South Africa”
Prof. Sibanda’s presentation focused on technology transfer as an emerging field across the African continent and on efforts to strengthen patenting and the commercialization of research. He identified key challenges, including policy gaps, funding constraints, and low prioritization of innovation. Drawing on developments in South Africa, where universities have driven growth of patent filings over the past decade. He advocated for greater consideration of joint ownership models between univeristies and industry, for technological developments.
Below are the Webinar’s program, the speakers’ slides and some screenshots highlighting the Webinar.
