Valorization of research results for knowledge and technology transfer in public higher education institutions

Abstract

Public higher education institutions (universities) in developing countries are making great strides regarding action geared to the valorization of research results oriented toward transferring knowledge and technologies to society and the market. Such valorization implies huge challenges for research staff in these institutions as well as for the body of directors and the whole administrative team. The current research arose from the lack of specialized knowledge on the topic of this particular area of valorization in developing countries such as Colombia. The article delves into the experience of the University of Cauca, located in the southwest Colombian city of Popayan, concerning the valorization of research results aimed at transferring knowledge and technologies from research groups to the business sector and to public organizations. As of 2018, in its research system the university boasted 160 registered research groups. Selected for the study were those with the highest scientific readiness level, featuring important research results from the execution of science, technology and innovation projects backed by external financing and within the last 10 years. Characterization of the research results was carried out based on international references (such as the Technology Readiness Level, TRL) and on the particularities reported in the various results generated by the research groups selected. The case study concludes in putting forward a route for the valorization and transfer of knowledge and technologies associated with results from higher education institution research within the contexts of developing countries and regions with a low-to-non-existent business presence.