Report on set up of DTCs and Dissemination activities · Report on set up of the DTCs in the Danube Region and Dissemination activities (D5.34) Danube-INCO.NET 2 Document Control

1

Report on set up of DTCs and

Dissemination activities

Project Danube-INCO.NET

Project Number 609497

Deliverable Number: D5.34

Submission Date 14.03.2017

Responsible author(s): Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum (SEZ)

Report on set up of the DTCs in the Danube Region and Dissemination activities (D5.34) Danube-INCO.NET

2

Document Control Sheet

Work package Number WP5

Work package Title Promoting Innovative and Inclusive Danube Societies

Task Number T5.2

Task Title Danube Transfer Centres

Deliverable Number D5.34

Deliverable Title Report on set up DTCs and dissemination activities

File Name D5.34 Report on set up of DTCs_final.docx

Number of pages

Dissemination level Public

Main author Robert Gohla, Daniela Chiran, Dorothea Haas (SEZ)

Contributors

Quality Assurance internal

Versioning and Contribution History

Version Date Author/Editor Contributors Description/Comments

_v01 12.11.2015

Robert Gohla,

Daniela Chiran,

Dorothea Haas

_v02 27.06.2016 Daniela Chiran

Robert Gohla

_v03 13.07.2016 Davor Kozmus QA

_v04 09.12.2016 Daniela Chiran

Robert Gohla


_v06 09.03.2017

Daniela Chiran

Robert Gohla

Isabel Trömel


Final

Document last saved on 31 March 2017


3

1 Content 1 Content .............................................................................................................................................. 3

List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... 4

List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... 4

List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................. 5

2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ 6

3 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 8

4 Set up of DTC Network ....................................................................................................................... 8

4.1 Selection of location and host organization .............................................................................. 8

4.2 Identification of DTC candidates ................................................................................................ 9

4.3 Implementation steps .............................................................................................................. 12

5 DTC Dissemination Activities 2014 - 2016 ....................................................................................... 13

6 Danube-INCO.NET Project targeted DTCs (NoviSad, Vukovar, Ruse) .............................................. 21

6.1 Danube Transfer Center Serbia, Novi Sad ................................................................................ 21

6.1.1 Activities of DTC Novi Sad ................................................................................................ 22

6.1.1.1 DTC Novi Sad activities within the Danube-INCO.NET project .................................... 22

6.1.1.2 Other activities of DTC Novi Sad .................................................................................. 23

6.1.2 DTC Novi Sad Policy Dialogue .......................................................................................... 24

6.1.3 Collaboration with organizations, companies (including DTC TIN portal activities) ........ 24

6.1.4 Future development - and source of financing for DTC Novi Sad ................................... 25

6.1.5 Conclusion DTC Novi Sad ................................................................................................. 25

6.1.6 Overview Dissemination Activities DTC Novi Sad ............................................................ 26

6.2 Danube Transfer Center Croatia, Vukovar ............................................................................... 29

6.2.1 Activities of DTC Slavonski Hrast ...................................................................................... 29

6.2.1.1 DTC Slavonski Hrast activities within the Danube-INCO.NET project .......................... 29

6.2.1.2 Other Activities of DTC “Slavonski Hrast” .................................................................... 34

6.2.2 DTC Slavonski Hrast Policy Dialogue ................................................................................ 34

6.2.3 Collaboration with organizations and companies (including DTC TIN portal activities) .. 35

6.2.4 Future development and source of financing for DTC “Slavonski Hrast” ........................ 35

6.2.5 Conclusion DTC Slavonski Hrast ....................................................................................... 36

6.2.6 Overview dissemination activities DTC Slavonski Hrast .................................................. 36

6.3 Danube Transfer Center Bulgaria, Ruse ................................................................................... 39

6.3.1 Activities of DTC Ruse ...................................................................................................... 40

6.3.1.1 DTC Ruse activities within the Danube-INCO.NET Project ........................................... 40

6.3.1.2 Other activities of DTC Ruse ........................................................................................ 41


4

6.3.2 DTC Ruse Policy Dialogue ................................................................................................. 42

6.3.3 Collaboration with organizations and companies ........................................................... 42

6.3.4 Development and source of financing for DTC Ruse ....................................................... 43

6.3.5 Conclusion DTC Ruse ........................................................................................................ 44

6.3.6 Overview Dissemination Activities DTC Ruse .................................................................. 44

7 Final conclusions and recommendations ......................................................................................... 50

7.1 Innovation Portal and online pressence .................................................................................. 51

7.2 Set up of Working Groups ....................................................................................................... 52

7.3 Sustainability and Transferability ............................................................................................. 52

8 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................... 53

6. Appendices ....................................................................................................................................... 54

List of Tables

Table 1.: Total DTC Dissemination activities 2014 – 2016 ....................................................................... 14

Table 2.: Dissemination Activities DTC Novi Sad...................................................................................... 27

Table 3.: Dissemination activities DTC Slavonski Hrast ............................................................................ 37

Table 4.: Dissemination activities DTC Ruse 2014 - 2016 ........................................................................ 45

Table 5.: Current Status of the TIN Portal Database ................................................................................ 51

Table 6.: Working Groups within the DTC network ................................................................................. 52

Table 7.: Innovation Audit Example, Vinkovci (Croatia) .......................................................................... 54

List of Figures

Figure 1.: Steps of DTC creation & implementation ................................................................................ 12

Figure 2.: Stuttgart, May 2014 ................................................................................................................. 22

Figure 3.: Novi Sad, March 2015 .............................................................................................................. 23

Figure 4.: Karlsruhe, May 2016 ................................................................................................................ 23

Figure 5.: Vukovar, March 2015 ............................................................................................................... 30

Figure 6.: Craiova, November 2015 ......................................................................................................... 30

Figure 7.: Karlsruhe, May 2016 ................................................................................................................ 31

Figure 8.: Bucharest, June 2016 ............................................................................................................... 31

Figure 9.: Vinkovci, 21st September 2016 ................................................................................................ 32

Figure 10.: DTC Ceremony in Bratislava (from left to right: Ivan Ambros, Prof. Dr. Höptner and Prof. Dr.

Igor Tičar) ................................................................................................................................................. 33

Figure 11.: DTC Ceremony in Bratislava (from left to right: Ivan Ambros, Prof. Dr. Höptner) ................ 33

Figure 12.: Karlsruhe, December 2016 .................................................................................................... 33

Figure 13.: Bucharest, November 2013 ................................................................................................... 39

Figure 14.: University of Ruse; Organizational Chart ............................................................................... 40

Figure 15.: Ruse, February 2015 .............................................................................................................. 41

Figure 16.: DTC Network Map .................................................................................................................. 50

Figure 17.: Expression of Interest, Kiev; Polytechnical Institut................................................................ 55


5

Figure 18.: Memorandum of Understanding Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum / DTC Slavonski Hrast ............ 58

Figure 19.: Letter of Commitment Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum / DTC Maribor ........................................ 60

List of Abbreviations

BOKU Universität für Bodenkultur, Wien (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences)

D Deliverable

Danube-INCO.NET Danube Region INCO-NET Dr. Doctor DTC Danube Transfer Centre

EEN Enterprise Europe Network

e.g. exempli gratia

EoI Expression of Interest

EUSDR European Union Strategy for the Danube Region

i.e. id est

I&TT Innovation and Technology Transfer

JRC Joint Research Centre

KTC Knowledge Transfer Centre

LoC Letter of Commitment

LoI Letter of Intent

LT long-term

Ltd. Limited (Public limited company)

max. maximum

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

Mr Mister

MT Medium term

p. page

PA Priority Area

PBN Pannon Business Network Association

R&D Research & Development

SEZ Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

SME Small and Medium-sized Enterprise

ST short-term TT Technology Transfer

TTC Technology Transfer Centre UNS University of Novi Sad UTB Technical University of Bucharest WP Work Package


6

2 Executive Summary

Deliverable D5.34 outlines the effort and the results for setting up Danube Transfer Center (DTC) and

provides an overview of all dissemination activities for the entire DTC network within the area of the

European Union Strategy for Danube Region (EUSDR). In this respect, the deliverable specifically

addresses the challenge of innovation & technology transfer (I&TT) and the attempt to establish more

DTCs in the region. Further a special focus shall be given to the development and activities of DTC Novi

Sad (Serbia), DTC Ruse (Bulgaria) and DTC Slavonski Hrast (Vukovar, Croatia).1 Even being established

in different geographical areas, all DTCs look back on a similar origination process: a 9-step

implementation tool kit.2 The tool kit was established by the working group “Innovation and

Technology Transfer” of Priority Area 8 of the EUSDR with the coordination of Steinbeis-Europa-

Zentrum and provides the following steps to implement a DTC:

Step 1: Analysis of environment of DTC regarding political, socio-cultural, economic, technological

and environmental and legal aspects is indispensable;

Step 2: Analysis of host organization of DTC such as universities or research institutes;

Step 3: Analysis of demand for DTC because a DTC must try to understand the needs of its target

audience – SMEs;

Step 4: Development of business plan for DTC;

Step 5: Legal framework for DTC in order to create a DTC on a sound footing (Founding document,

legal functioning of DTC activity, employment contracts);

Step 6: Management profile of DTC;

Step 7: Qualification of DTC staff;

Step 8: Financial management of DTC including the challenges of managerial finance and DTC

funding;

Step 9: Growth strategies for DTC comprise mainly two areas: firstly, the connection of DTCs on

regional, national and European level and secondly, the conception and elaboration of pilot

projects.

The experience from the Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum pilot project “Implementation of Danube

Technology Transfer Centers“ (duration 2011-2014) shows that DTC candidate organisations should

meet certain requirements in respect to the organization form, extent of previous experience and

financial resources (detailed explanation of requirements can be found in chapter 3). But even if an

organization fulfils these criteria and is considered to be eligible in principle, not all candidates show

the same likelihood to actually become a functioning DTC. The following “types of candidates” exist:

a) “High potentials”;

b) “Interested organisations”;

c) “Question Marks”;

d) Special cases: SEZ Karlsruhe & Stuttgart.

1 This deliverable is based on and complements the deliverable D5.8 “Concept for Danube Technology Transfer Centres

including a tool-kit on DTC creation & implementation” and D5.18 “Analysis of a further multiplication of the DTC in Danube

Region”.

2 Please see also D5.8, page 5.


7

All candidate types will be explained in detail in the following chapters and organizations will be

assigned to the candidate types.

After a comprehensive overview on how to set up a DTC and choose appropriate partners, this

deliverable will take stock of the existing Pilot DTCs - Novi Sad (Serbia), Ruse (Bulgaria) and Slavonski

Hrast (Vukovar, Croatia), taking into account DTC activities in general, activities realized by the

Danube-INCO.NET project, policy dialogue and collaboration activities as well as future development.

Since one goal of a DTCs is strengthening local stakeholders and promote cross-border knowledge flow

- highly qualified DTC staff is needed. Therefore this deliverable will also refer to the so-called SEZ set-

up visits that include an on-the-spot-training to educate DTC employees in specific areas, such as

acquisition of clients, innovation auditing, and conception of projects, proposal writing or center

management

A successful implementation of Danube Transfer Center in the region will help to bridge the gap

between research and innovation and it will enable sharing of experiences gained through the

European Enterprise Network, cluster activities, conferences, Steinbeis network and other networks of

networks.


8

3 Introduction

Embedded in Work Package (WP) 5 “Promoting Innovative and Inclusive Danube Societies”, the

“Danube Transfer Center” can be found under Task 5.2. and is therefore parallel part of the EUSDR

which aims at boosting the development of the Danube area. But the EUSDR addresses a wide range of

issues. Among a total of 12 Priority Areas (PA), PA 8 focuses on the promotion of the region’s

competitiveness and on fostering the cooperation between universities and companies in the Danube

Region. The creation of Danube Transfer Centers can be seen as one possibility to bridge the gap

between research and innovation. Based on the DTC Pilot project (duration 2011 – 2014) initiated by

Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum, three pilot DTCs (Nitra, Slovakia; Cluj-Napoca, Romania and Novi Sad,

Serbia) had been created.

In general, a DTC fulfils the purpose of a “one-stop-shop” in regards to the innovation & technology

transfer, with a focus on the SMEs. Their mission is to link industry and research but also to build a

transnational network of DTCs in order to ensure the involvement of international experts at any

stage. Furthermore DTCs will become regional hosts for common projects regarding innovation &

technology transfer. This deliverable aims to provide a general and comprehensive methodology of

how to develop the DTC network with focus on the three locations (Vukovar, Croatia; Ruse, Bulgaria

and Novi Sad in Serbia). The content of this document further shows the sustainability of the Network

within the Danube Region and highlights its transferability for the Alpine Space and Western Europe

countries. However this deliverable will provide general recommendations for boosting the concrete

creation of a viable network for the status quo but does not claim to be complete.

4 Set up of DTC Network

The creation of a DTC and later a DTC network requires a broad ex-ante analysis of possible regions

and candidates. In the following section the most important steps for 1. selecting a region for a DTC; 2.

distinguishing possible DTC candidates and; 3. determined steps for a successful implementation will

be presented.

4.1 Selection of location and host organization

The experience from the pilot project phase 2011-2014 showed that possible candidates should meet

the following target values:

Coverage of entire Danube Region

In each of the 14 countries at least one DTC should be implemented3

EU-membership4:

It is probable that the creation of a DTC is easier in EU member countries than in non-EU

member countries of EUSDR

3 Further information can be found in D5.18 “Analysis of a further multiplication of DTCs in Danube Region (p.5 f).

4 As of the date of this document, 28 countries were member of the European Union: http://europa.eu/about-

eu/countries/member-countries/.


9

Associated partners

The DTC network can also be extended to other regions such as Georgia, Turkey and Kiev

(Ukraine).

Based on the experience gained during the implementation of the pilot initiative, SEZ recommends not

having too many contact points in one country. Otherwise the service quality and prevention of

fragmentation in this rather early stage of development cannot be guaranteed. In concrete terms: If a

EUSDR country has less than 3 million inhabitants, one DTC is sufficient. Countries exceeding this

population are encouraged to establish two Transfer Center. Taking into consideration this rule, SEZ

intends to establish a total of 22 DTC entry points in all 14 EUSDR countries.

Moreover, SEZ strongly advises that a DTC should profit from already existing organizations or

institutions. It is advisable to choose the core of a DTC within a university or research organization or

another scientifically oriented organization. This way, a DTC can bypass the financial and

organizational burden of creating new infrastructure and boost the challenge of creating synergies

between industry, research and other DTCs.

To prospect the success, the hosting organization should have a leading position within the region or

country and provide access to well-known researchers and scientific excellence.

4.2 Identification of DTC candidates

The implementation of a functioning DTC does not only depend on the region and institution. One of

the most important preconditions is the ambition in terms of financial and human resources of the

host organization itself. The likelihood to implement a successful DTC varies between the aspiring

candidates according to their progress in regards to the staffing and financial resources. The four

candidate types differ regarding their progress to establish a DTC:

1. High Potentials;

2. Interested organizations;

3. Question Marks;

4. Special Cases

High potentials are candidates that fulfill all of the above mentioned target values and have already

expressed their interest in creating a DTC on site. They also completed the first implementation step –

“Mutual Agreement” (please See Figure 1). As a sign of goodwill, the candidates have already

submitted proposals for the acquisition of financial resources which is crucial throughout the entire

DTC set-up phase. At this point, the creation of a DTC seems possible within the short term (ST = max.

2 years) and three organizations match this category:

1. University of Maribor (Slovenia) → During SEZ’s visit on in June 2014, the university

expressed its interest to create a DTC and subsequently signed a LoI at the 3rd Annual

Forum of EUSDR in Vienna in June 2014. The University of Maribor has made efforts to find

funding by submitting the proposal DO-IT (Establishing Danube Open Innovation

Technologies) for START facility and a proposal for INTERREG Central Europe. Since 2016

DTC Maribor is partner in the ERASMUS+ project Edu4Society (Innovative Solution for

Enhancing Social Responsibility Education and Civic Skills in Creating Sustainable

Businesses) which is coordinated by DTC Bucharest. The cooperation with SEZ will also be

fostered through the involvement of DTC Maribor as partner within the INTERREG project


10

Made in Danube (Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge into marketable

products and services for the Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow) which SEZ is

coordinating.

In the past two years the University of Maribor faced some financial challenges to

implement all steps of the DTC tool kit. Even after appointing a DTC manager, the

involvement has been limited due to internal resource allocation.

Fortunately SEZ and the University of Maribor overcame the pecuniary issues and signed

the LoC on 4th November 2016 at the 5th Annual Forum of EUSDR in Bratislava. The

contractual agreement begins in January 2017 and ends 31st October 2018;

2. Pannon Business Network Association (Hungary) → PBN has expressed its interest during

the 1. Eastern European Innovation Partnership High-Level Meeting in Stuttgart in May

2014. In accordance, PBN signed a LoI at the 3rd Annual Forum of EUSDR in Vienna in

2014. Furthermore it has actively tried to find funding and submitted e.g. the proposal

CheckIN Danube (Developing Transnational Innovation Check System in the Danube Area)

for START facility. After 2 years the implementation process is still in its initial phase.

Currently SEZ is partner in the INTERREG Europe project UpGradeSME (Improving policy

instruments supporting innovative SME performance) which is coordinated by PBN.

Beyond that, PBN is also partner in the INTERREG Danube region project Made in Danube

(Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge into marketable products and services

for the Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow);

3. Technical University of Bucharest (Romania) → The university expressed its interest

shortly after the DTC project had started. As a result the Technical University Bucharest

(UTB) already signed a LoI at the 2nd Annual EUSDR Forum in Bucharest in 2013. UTB has

experience in writing proposals within FP7 and Horizon 2020. Since 2016 UTB is

coordinating the Erasmus + Edu4Society project (Innovative Solution for Enhancing Social

Responsibility Education and Civic Skills in Creating Sustainable Businesses). After 3 years

of collaboration on specific calls (FP7 and Horizon 2020) SEZ is currently working on

acquiring funding to implement the DTC in Bucharest, using the internal funds of the UTB.

Beyond UTB has appointed a DTC manager and SEZ is in contact with the UTB

management, to define the next steps until 2017.

Interested Organizations fulfill the selection criteria but have not signed a Mutual Agreement, only an

informal expression of interest (e.g. on a meeting or event). A DTC creation seems possible in the

medium term (MT = 4 years). The following five organizations can be assigned in this category:

1. Centre for TT of Odessa National Polytechnical University → Depending on the future political

development in Ukraine, a decision has to be made between two interested organizations in

this country. If the Danube adjacent part is stable and able to participate, the Centre for TT of

Odessa National Polytechnical University can be the first option. The contact was established

thanks to Oleg Rubel from IMPEER NASU with Mr. Tillmann Heß. IMPER NASU is also an

associated strategic partner within the INTERREG Danube region project Made in Danube

(Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge into marketable products and services for

the Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow);


11

Mr. Heß has already expressed his interested towards SEZ to join a DTC network.5 In 2016

further discussions with Odessa National Polytechnical University had been held and SEZ

organized 3 Virtual Meeting. Further Mr. Tillmann Heß was present on May 3rd 2016 in

Karlsruhe during the “Connect ideas 2 business” event and attended also the DTC Meeting on

10th June in Bucharest;

2. National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” → On the contrary, if

the political situation in Odessa, as a Danube adjacent part of Ukraine, gets even tenser,

National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” is the first DTC candidate

in the country. High representatives from the university met Daniela Chiran (SEZ) in Kiev in

November 2014 in the framework of the NoGAP project and expressed their interest to create

a DTC at the university (Please see Annex, Figure 19);

3. Universität für Bodenkultur Vienna (BOKU) → In the context of regular cooperation with SEZ,

the university expressed its interest to create a DTC. BOKU is also partner within the INTERREG

Danube region project Made in Danube (Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge

into marketable products and services for the Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow);

4. Bay Zoltán (Hungary) → In the context of regular cooperation with SEZ, the organisation

expressed its interest to create a DTC. Moreover, BayZoltán has submitted a proposal for the

INTERREG Central Europe facility in which it planned to create a DTC on-site which has not

been successful. BayZoltán is also partner for INTERREG Danube region project Made in

Danube (Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge into marketable products and

services for the Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow);

5. University of Zagreb (Croatia) → The university participated in the 1. Eastern European

Innovation Partnership High-Level Meeting in Stuttgart in May 2014 and has expressed its

interest to create a DTC at the University. To discuss possibilities and next steps SEZ held a

meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of forestry in September 2016 in Zagreb.

Question marks are organizations that are possibly capable of creating a DTC in terms of the selection

criteria. Regarding the question marks, SEZ is pursuing organizations in countries which do not have

established a DTC yet or lack in the number of DTCs according given the target values in 3.1. At this

point seven organizations refer to this category:

1. KTC West (Austria);

2. University of Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina);

3. GIS-TTC Network (Bulgaria);

4. Brno University of Technology (Czech Republic);

5. Czech University of Life Sciences (Czech Republic);

6. Technical University of Moldova (Moldova);

7. University of Montenegro (Montenegro).

These organizations have been chosen since they have already collaborated with SEZ in a reliable

manner or have been recommended by partner organizations (in Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech

Republic, Montenegro, Moldavia and Bulgaria).

1.

5 More information on this TTC can be found on http://www.ctt.opu.ua/?q=en.

http://www.ctt.opu.ua/?q=en


12

Special cases category relates to the Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum itself. As coordinator of the DTC

project, Steinbeis is per se part of the DTC network. In the future Germany would take the role of a

DTC headquarter for the entire network and incorporates a special case. The tasks of SEZ encompass

the management of the network, including the delivery of trainings and workshops, coordinating set

up activities, enhancing the development of the network and expanding activities, finding new

partners and help partners to find financing methods.

4.3 Implementation steps

As mentioned in chapter 4.2 eligible organizations have to complete a set of pre-determined steps to

become operational:6

a) Mutual agreement on integration into a DTC network with SEZ such as a Letter of Intent (LoI)

and/or Letter of Commitment (LoC) and/or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU);

b) Analysis of the environment of DTC regarding political, socio-cultural, economic, technological

and environmental and legal aspects are indispensable;

c) Analysis of the host organization of DTC which are preferably universities;

d) Qualification of DTC staff: Training with SEZ of (future) DTC staff about DTC standards, networks

and structures.

All steps of DTC creation & implementation are shown in figure 1. It clearly depicts the first four steps

which together form the preparation respectively set-up phase of a DTC. An organisation which meets

the principle selection criteria and which has completed these four preparation steps can be regarded

as ready to start its DTC activity.

7. Development of growth

strategy

Co

ntin

uo

us fu

nd

ing

6. Optimization of

operational structures

5. Adjustment of

legal structures

4. Qualification of

DTC staff

3. Analysis of host

organization of DTC

2. Analysis of

environment of DTC

1. Mutual agreement

on integration

Figure 1.: Steps of DTC creation & implementation

The more an organisation is close to fulfil these criteria, the more the creation of a DTC becomes

probable.

6 A detailed of all steps can be found in deliverable D5.8 “Tool-kit on DTC creation & implementation” (p. 7 ff).

Preparation / Set-up

Consolidation /

implementation


13

5 DTC Dissemination Activities 2014 - 2016

Dissemination is defined as the process of making the results and deliverables of a project available to

relevant stakeholders and to the wider audience. Project members and external stakeholders need to

be informed about the project developments and outputs. Dissemination is seen as an essential part

for the take up of project results, and such take up is crucial for the sustainability of project output in

the long term which is especially important regarding the main objective to create a European DTC

network. The extensive project mission of a DTC claims per se a large vertical as well as horizontal

differentiation of stakeholders. The corresponding dissemination activities had to meet these

requirement. Both – events & meetings as well as web based dissemination tools and workshops have

been carried out.

The following table provides an overview of all DTC-related activities carried out within the Danube-

INCO.NET project period 2014-2016. Table 1. shows a wide range of stakeholders, audiences as well as

the location of the activity where it took place.

14

Table 1.: Total DTC Dissemination activities 2014 – 2016

Name of Event Date

(Day/Month/Year)

Location

(Venue, City,

Country

Type of

audience

Contact Details of the event (website,

organizing institution, etc.)

Kick off Meeting DANUBE-INCO.NET 03.02.2014 Vienna, Austria Project Partners, DTC Network

partners https://www.zsi.at/de/object/news/3075

Informal Meeting SEZ-JRC 19.03.2014 Brussels,

Belgium JRC Members

Innovation Days Cluj 20.03.2014 Cluj, Napoca,

Romania

Clusters, Universities,

SMEs http://clujinnovationdays.com/

DTC Slavonski Hrast: Working Group Meeting I&TT and EE

24.03.2014 Zagreb, Croatia Universities, Multiplicators

NGOs http://groupspaces.com/Competitiveness/

SC meeting 24.03.2014 Tbilisi, Georgia Univiersities,

Research Organizations http://www.no-gap.eu/

S3 Peer Review Meeting 15.05.2014 Portoroz,

Slovenia

Politicians, Research Institutes,

S3 Experts, Multiplicators http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/s3-design-peer-review

DTC Novi Sad: DTC Training

22.05.2014 Stuttgart,

Germany

Business Partner, DTC network

partners Organized by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

1. Eastern European Innovation Partnership High-Level Strategy

Meeting 22.05.2014

Stuttgart,

Germany

Universities,

Clusters, Companies

https://www.steinbeis-europa.de/news-

events/veranstaltungen/65/1488/v/1-eastern-european-

innovation-partnership-

high-level-strategy-meeting.html

5th INCO Conference 03.06.2014 Athens, Greece Universities,

Research Organizations

http://www.ncp-

incontact.eu/nkswiki/index.php?title=5th_INCO_Conference,_

Athens,_2-3_June_2014

https://www.zsi.at/de/object/news/3075

http://clujinnovationdays.com/

http://groupspaces.com/Competitiveness/

http://www.no-gap.eu/

http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/s3-design-peer-review

https://www.steinbeis-europa.de/news-events/veranstaltungen/65/1488/v/1-eastern-european-innovation-partnership-high-level-strategy-meeting.html




http://www.ncp-incontact.eu/nkswiki/index.php?title=5th_INCO_Conference,_Athens,_2-3_June_2014




15

Jean Monnet Conference

12.06.2014 Riga, Latvia Universities,

Research Organizations http://www.lu.lv/jeanmonnetconference2014/welcome/

Visit of university Maribor regarding future

DTC location 16.06.2014

Maribor,

Slovenia University

NoGAP website 20.06.2014

Visitors of NoGAP Homepage http://no-gap.eu/en/1556.php

Third Annual Forum EUSDR 26.06.2014 Vienna, Austria Universities, Reseachers,

Entrepreneurs, Politicians http://www.danubeforumvienna.eu/

Innovation Forum 17.10.2014 Bucharest,

Romania

Universities, Reseachers,

Entrepreneurs, Politicians http://www.tib.ro/app/webroot/files/agenda_ro.pdf

NoGAP website 28.11.2014

Visitors of NoGAP Homepage http://no-gap.eu/en/1556.php

Brokerage Event NoGAP 04.11.2014 Kyiv, Ukraine Visitors of BE http://no-gap.eu/en/1560.php

DTC Set-up visit 4.-5.3. , 2.-4.3. , 24.-27.2.2015

Ruse;

Vokovar;Novi

Sad

Representatives from the respective

organizations in

Ruse, Vukovar & Novi Sad

http://rcisd.eu/successful-set-up-of-three-additional-danube-

transfer-centres/

Triggering Meeting 26. – 27.2. 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academic professors and

administrative staff University of Ruse “Angel Kranchev”

Kick off – DTC Slavonski Hrast 04.03.2015 Vinkovci, Croatia Business Partner, DTC network

partner Organized by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

DTC Ruse: Seminar “Leadership for success”

21.03. 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students, business

representatives Organized by University of Ruse 'Angel Kanchev«

http://www.lu.lv/jeanmonnetconference2014/welcome/

http://no-gap.eu/en/1556.php

http://www.danubeforumvienna.eu/

http://www.tib.ro/app/webroot/files/agenda_ro.pdf



http://rcisd.eu/successful-set-up-of-three-additional-danube-transfer-centres/

http://rcisd.eu/successful-set-up-of-three-additional-danube-transfer-centres/


16

EASTERN PARTNERSHIP 26.03.2015 Brussels,

Belgium

representatives from R2I

projects in EaP countries

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/events/eastern-partnership-

platform-energy-security

Danube-INCO.NET survey March 2015 NoGAP Website Visitors of NoGAP Homepage https://www.zsi.at/de/object/news/3503

DTC Set-up visit success 09.03.2015 Danube-

INCO.website

Visitors of Danube-INCO.NET

website https://danube-inco.net/

DTC Ruse: Visit to the milk and dairy products company –

Buldex Ltd. 15.04. 2015 Belitsa, Bulgaria Academics, students Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Ruse: Seminar “Project Management in industrial

companies” 28.04. 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academics, students, business

representatives Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Ruse: Seminar on SWOT Analyses for business companies in the Intermodal Transport and logistics cluster -

Ruse

28th May 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Students, business

Representatives Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

Brokerage Event NoGAP 16.06.2015

Messe

Frankfurt,

Germany

Scientific Community

(Higher Education Research) http://no-gap.eu/1589.php

DTC Ruse: Seminar „Lean Management in production“

24.06.2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students, business


INTERREG Danube kick-off 23.09.2015 Budapest,

Hungary

Universities, Politicans,

Research Center http://dtpevent.eu/2015

DTC Novi Sad: TTF program Meeting

09.10.2015 Belgrade, Serbia Policy, Resaerch and Industry Introduction of TTf program, SRTTP

Innovation Forum Bucharest 16.10.2015 Bucharest,

Romania Industry http://arott.ro/forum2015/

DTC Ruse: Visit to Sparky Eltos - professional power tools

producer 22.10.2015 Lovech, Bulgaria

Academics, students, managers

from the hosting company Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/events/eastern-partnership-platform-energy-security

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/events/eastern-partnership-platform-energy-security

https://www.zsi.at/de/object/news/3503

https://danube-inco.net/

http://no-gap.eu/1589.php

http://dtpevent.eu/2015

http://arott.ro/forum2015/


17

DTC Ruse: „Spices of growth“ workshop

18.11.2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Students, Business

Representatives Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Slavonski Hrast: Workshop on DTC Establishment

30.11.2015 Craiova,

Romania DTC network partners Organized by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

DTC Ruse: Seminar on “Eco Entrepreneurship”

2.12.2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Students, Business


DTC Novi Sad: Workshop on IP Marketing and Evaluation

14.15.2015 Belgrade, Serbia Research and Industry

DTC Novi Sad: Info Day on DTC activities and TIN Portal

25.03.2016 Novi Sad, UNS

Institutes, Faculties, representatives

of companies, clusters, start-up

companies

DTC Ruse: Study visit to a company clothes producer

“Markam” Ltd. 14.04.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Students Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Novi Sad: “Technology Transfer – examples of good practice

in the region” - Meeting 25.04.2016 Banja Luka, BiH

Representatives of government,

industry, professors, IP experts

DTC Slavonski Hrast: „Connect Ideas 2 Business 2016“ Conference and

Training 02.05.2016

Karlsruhe,

Germany

Business partners, DTC network

partners

http://www.baden-tv.com/mediathek/video/ihk-magazin-

connect-ideas-2-business/

DTC Ruse: Innovative Youth Expo

13.05.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academics, Students, Business

Representatives, regional

stakeholders

DTC Novi Sad: DTC Training

22.05.2016 Stuttgart

(Germany)

Business partners, DTC network

partners Organized by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

DTC Ruse, DTC Novi Sad: DTC Meeting

30.-31- 05.2016 Karlsruhe

(Germany) DTC Ruse and DTC Novi Sad Organized by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

DTC Meeting 08.-10.06.2016 Bucharest,

Romania

Universities, Regional

Development Agencies

http://www.dtcnetwork.eu/dtc-network-meeting-in-

bucharest/

http://www.baden-tv.com/mediathek/video/ihk-magazin-connect-ideas-2-business/

http://www.baden-tv.com/mediathek/video/ihk-magazin-connect-ideas-2-business/

http://www.dtcnetwork.eu/dtc-network-meeting-in-bucharest/

http://www.dtcnetwork.eu/dtc-network-meeting-in-bucharest/


18

DTC Novi Sad: Meeting on Collaborative grant scheme,

Innovation fund 21.06.2016

Karlsruhe,

Germany

Minister, representatives of

Chamber of Commerce,

representatives of companies,

clusters, institutes and universities

Organized by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

DTC Novi Sad: Seminar “HERE national team of Republic of Serbia

for IP management at universities and institutes 21.06.2016 Belgrad, Serbia

Representatives of the University of

Novi Sadm professors, teachers,

researcher

Organized by University of Novi Sad

DTC Ruse: TEMPUS project meeting

09.07.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, partners from

Uzbekistan, Poland and Spain Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Ruse: Erasmus International Week

14.06.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academics, Students, Business

representatives, regional

stakeholders

DTC Ruse: Meeting at Ruse Municipality

14.06.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Experts, Municipality employees

DTC Ruse: TEMPUS Visit to a company: clothes producer

“Markam” Ltd. 13.07.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academics, partners from

Uzbekistan, Poland and Spain Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Ruse: Seminar for Trainers “Eco Entrepreneurship”

14./15.07.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, partners from 3

universities, start up association Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

Triple Helix Conference on Bio based economy, Budapest

19.7 – 20.7. 2016 Budapest,

Hungary

Academics, researchers, business

representatives, stakeholders

DTC Ruse: Seminar “Design of interdisciplinary academic

courses” 26.07.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academic, Researchers Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

Twinning / NoGaAP Final Event 27.-28.07.2016 Cluj, Napoca,

Romania

Universities and

Research Organizations, DTC

network partners

http://www.no-gap.eu/1650.php

DTC Ruse: Meeting with the board of Ruse chamber of

commerce and industry 23.08.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academic, researchers, business

representatives

DTC Novi Sad: Meeting and Visit Eugen chocolates ltd.

10.09.2016 Novi Sad, Serbia DTC, Technology transfer

http://www.no-gap.eu/1650.php


19

DTC Novi Sad: Meeting “How to successfully facilitate technology

transfer and commercialize research results” 13.09.2016 Split, Croatia

Members of State Delegation of

Republic of Serbia

Meeting “Institute for molecular engineering Belgrade”

17.09.2016 Novi Sad, Serbia Technology Transfer, DTC Portal

DTC Training Workshop

21.09.2016 Vinkovci, Croatia

Universities, County

Representatives, Regional

Development Agencies

Working Group Meeting I&TT 22.09.2016 Osijek, Croatia Universities, Multiplicators, NGOs http://groupspaces.com/Competitiveness/

DTC Novi Sad: Participation “Tesla Fest”

15.10.2016 Novi Sad, Serbia

Honorary guest – discussion on technology transfer, DTC

network, cooperation with UNS

DTC Ruse: Participation on public event: “Press conference:

Entrepreneurial University” 28.09.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Students, Media Oranized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Ruse: Workshop of Resita network: Academic

Entrepreneurship and Innovation network of South-Eastern European Universities”

27.10.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Researchers, Business

representatives, stakeholders Oranized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

DTC Ruse: Participation on public event: “55

th Annual

Scientific conference on Smart Specialization” 29.10.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academics, Researchers, Business


DTC Ruse: Participation on public event: “Internationalization of Romanian Education, Research and Innovation”

03.11.2016 Bucharest,

Romania

Academics, Researchers, Business


DTC Maribor, DTC Slavonski Hrast:

Signing Memorandum of Understanding with DTC Slavonski Hrast and Letter of Commitment with

DTC Maribor

04.11.2016 Bratislava,

Slovakia

Business Partners, Universities,

Ministry, DTC network Partner https://danube-inco.net/object/event/18158

DTC Novi Sad: Meeting with “Labena” Ltd.

09.11.2016 Novi Sad, Serbia Technology Transfer, future

customers for DTC Portal Organized by University of Novi Sad

DTC Ruse: “Junior Achievement” Training

16.11.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, Students Organized by University of Ruse »Angel Kanchev«

http://groupspaces.com/Competitiveness/

https://danube-inco.net/object/event/18158


20

Publication in “Capital” “Five conclusions on new university ranking”

25.11.2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Public

http://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/bulgaria/2016/1

1/25/2869956_pet_izvoda_ot_noviia_reiting_na_universitetit

e/?sp=3#storystart

DTC Novi Sad: Meeting with “Frobas” Ltd.

28.11.2016 Novi Sad, Serbia Industry

DTC Slavonski HRAST DTC Management Training

29.11. – 01.12.2016

Karlsruhe,

Germany DTC Staff

http://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/bulgaria/2016/11/25/2869956_pet_izvoda_ot_noviia_reiting_na_universitetite/?sp=3#storystart



21

6 Danube-INCO.NET Project targeted DTCs (Novi Sad, Vukovar, Ruse)

The DTC initiative has attracted a great deal of attention in the Danube region proven by the fact that

more and more organisations expressed their interest in creating a DTC on-site. There are three DTCs

that are already installed and were financed by the project budget and partners in Danube-INCO.NET.

The list below contains the official name, host organization and contact partners of each DTC:

DTC Novi Sad Contact person Ljubomir Kljajić Host organization

University Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 5, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Phone +381(0)21 485-2006 Email [email protected]

DTC “Slavonki Hrast” Contact person Mihajlo Nagy, Ivan Ambroş Host organization

EKO-SUSTAV Ltd, Vukovar, Croatia, Zupanijska 9, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia

Phone +385989098207 Email [email protected]

[email protected]

DTC Ruse Contact person Svilen Kunev Host organization

University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, 8 Studenska Street, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria

Phone +359887934639 Email [email protected]

In order to get a first impression on each of the DTCs mentioned above, the following subchapters

provide an overview of activities in events, workshops, policy dialog and collaborations.

6.1 Danube Transfer Center Serbia, Novi Sad

During the DTC pilot project, University of Novi Sad also signed agreements with SEZ. Yet, due to

budget limitations, the three above listed organisations received special DTC seminars from Steinbeis

in the framework of the project. Only afterwards, with the help of the funding through Danube-

INCO.NET, training sessions for the University of Novi Sad were possible.

University of Novi Sad signed a LoC at the 1st Annual EUSDR Forum in Regensburg (Germany) in

November 2012 and a MoU at the 2nd Annual EUSDR Forum in Bucharest (Romania) in October 2013.

mailto:[email protected]


22

In addition, the founding members of DTC Novi Sad filled in the questionnaire for an analysis of the

organisational environment and the host organization, submitted it in December 2012 and updated it

within Danube-INCO.NET project in January 2015. A detailed overview of all activities can be seen in

the Table 2. (page 27) which underlines the efforts of the DTC to connect universities, research

organizations and the economy of the macro-region. Project activities which have directly been carried

out within the Danube.INCO-NET project will be discussed in detail in Chapter 6.1.1.).

The University of Novi Sad is partner within the INTERREG Danube region project Made in Danube

(Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge into marketable products and services for the

Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow) under the coordination of SEZ.

6.1.1 Activities of DTC Novi Sad

Throughout the last two years, several meetings, trainings and participation in events were organised.

Some of the activities were carried out directly within the Danube-INO.NET project whereas some

have been organized by the DTC network itself. Chapter 6.1.1.1 will present the activities carried out

by the project Danube-INCO.NET and chapter 6.1.1.2 will list all other activities.

6.1.1.1 DTC Novi Sad activities within the Danube-INCO.NET project

a. In Stuttgart, Germany 22nd - 23rd May 2014 Participation in the 1st Eastern European Innovation

Partnership High-Level Meeting (DTC Slavonski Hrast, DTC Bratislava, DTC Nitra, DTC Cluj, DTC

Bucharest, DTC Maribor, DTC Hungary);

Figure 2.: Stuttgart, May 2014

b. Aside from that, DTC Novi Sad passed training sessions from SEZ during Danube-INCO.NET project

on DTC centre management and proposal writing in March 2015 in Novi Sad;


23

c. DTC Novi Sad attended 3 Virtual Meetings – 12th , 26th February , 22 April 2016 and organized one

of them together with DTC Ruse;

d. Karlsruhe, Germany 30th - 31st May 2016 Attending - together with DTC Ruse - DTC operational

meeting.

Figure 4.: Karlsruhe, May 2016

6.1.1.2 Other activities of DTC Novi Sad

a. new rule book for organization, structure and operation of DCTT at the University of Novi Sad

(UNS);

b. New logo of Danube Center for Technology Transfer, University of Novi Sad;

c. Preparing framework of policies for establishing spin-off companies at the UNS;

d. Prepared new document models relevant for potential applicants for projects (funded by the

Government of Republic of Serbia or EU – related with technology transfer, innovations, research

and development);

e. Models of contracts (licensing contract, know-how- contract, consortium contract, authorship

agreements);

f. Models of application forms for patents (Intellectual Property Office), due diligence forms;

g. Signed Memorandum of Understanding with Innovation Fund of Republic Serbia –TTO (Technology

transfer Office); collaborative grant scheme 300.00 € - administrative support (providing

information about project, models of contracts regarding IP transfer and other legal support);

Figure 3.: Novi Sad, March 2015


24

h. Established Danube Center for Technology Transfer (DTC) UNS website7: the overall goal is to help

the academic and non-academic community to be informed about technology transfer, DTC portal,

good practices from other partner countries, Danube INCO.NET project;

i. DTC portal – counts: 7 institutions , 6 companies and still growing;

j. Created database of patents, technical solutions, plant variety (M91, M91 classification) that were

signed by the UNS;

k. Created database of all start-up companies from the UNS;

l. In a process of making publicly available policies and procedures for the IP management;

m. Supporting the development of capacity skills of R&D and taking measures to raise awareness of

researchers and students about the importance of management of IP rights, their conclusion in the

process of knowledge transfer and technology and the acquisition of skills in the field of

entrepreneurship;

n. Promoting the wider diffusion that has been created by public funding;

o. Included in process o technology transfer (had two successful mini matches);

p. Working on task – technology transfer (TTO program with the goal to help researcher from UNS to

get some mini grant to improve its IP and to commercialize to the market);

q. In process of making first spin-off company at UNS;

r. Company visits and Innovation Audits;

s. Established cooperation with business incubator iDEALab Novi Sad.

6.1.2 DTC Novi Sad Policy Dialogue

a. „Professional seminar and debate on policy development and the establishment of the third

mission of universities in Serbia” – discussed frameworks for collaboration between Universities

(Faculties and Institutes), mapping potential for technology transfer, strengthening up

connections between TTO-s at universities (Novi Sad, Belgrade, Kragujevac, Nis) and mutual

cooperation. This event was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological

Development, Republic of Serbia. Upcoming new meeting with representatives from universities,

Chamber of Commerce and Ministry;

b. Established cooperation with Nucleo de Propriedade Intelectual, Lisbon - knowledge and

experience exchange in the field of patents, contracts, protection of IP property – Patricia Lima, IP

attorney at Nucleo de Propriedade Intelectual, Intellectual Property Department. Implementing

solutions regarding IP contracts with students. Meeting took place in Belgrade;

c. Establishing cooperation with University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy - collecting knowledge and

experience on technology transfer practice and spin off companies - meeting in June 2016.

d. DTC Novi Sad is active in Priority Area (PA) 7 (Knowledge Society), PA 8 (Competitiveness) and PA

9 (People and Skills).

6.1.3 Collaboration with organizations, companies (including DTC TIN portal activities)

a. Established cooperation with Laboratory for Molecular Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms,

Belgrade (information is prepared and going to be entered on portal – waiting for revision

approval from board);

b. Established cooperation with Invetlab, Adasevci – information entered on portal;

c. Established cooperation with CamEngineering, Novi Sad – information entered on portal;

7 For more information, please visit: http://www.dtcnetwork.eu/.


25

d. Established cooperation with Innovation Fund, Belgrade – information entered on portal;

e. Established cooperation with Fermex Ltd, Novi Sad – information entered on portal;

f. Established cooperation with FINS (Institute of Food Technology), Novi Sad – (information is

prepared and going to be entered on portal – waiting for revision approval from board),

g. Establishing cooperation with „Sunoko“- one of the biggest sugar-refinery companies in Eastern

Europe (waiting for approval from director):

h. Establishing cooperation with „RT-RK“ – one of the biggest IT companies in Novi Sad, and one of

the largest in Eastern Europe (waiting for approval from director);

i. Established cooperation with “Inopat” company, Novi Sad – frame of work: patent preparation,

patent technical analysis, patent valuation and landscaping claim chart generation patent

monetization support technologies. Information is prepared and going to be entered on portal –

waiting for revision approval from board;

j. Established cooperation with “Department of Power, Electronics and Communication

Engineering” (information is prepared and going to be entered on portal – waiting for revision

approval from board);

k. Established cooperation with “IdeaLab” – (information is prepared and going to be entered on

portal – waiting for revision approval from board).

6.1.4 Future development - and source of financing for DTC Novi Sad

a. To continue with establishing cooperation with companies and R&D with the goal of mapping the

Innovation and Technology Transfer potential (Innovation Audits) and readiness for cooperation

within DTC network;

b. To create mechanisms for: identification, legal protection and commercialization of intellectual

property generated within the University and members of University (faculties and institutes

within the University);

c. To enhance Technology Transfer capacities;

d. Exchange of knowledge and experiences;

e. To enhance the cross-border partner network;

f. Project-based funding. Long term - UNS budget and income from technology transfers;

g. To submit proposals e.g. for INTERREG (DTC Novi Sad is currently partner in the INTERREG Danube

region project Made in Danube (Transnational Cooperation to transform knowledge into

marketable products and services for the Danubian sustainable society of tomorrow).

6.1.5 Conclusion DTC Novi Sad

Activities carried out by the DTC at the University of Novi Sad have proven to be successful at achieving

the goals defined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum

and the UNS. However, it will take time, effort, funds, as well as a sign of good will and trust from

other partners that are inevitable in this process. In the sense of long term university strategy,

strengthening the capacity of the DTC at the University of Novi Sad is one of the top priorities. The final

goal of the DTC is to facilitate commercialization of the applicable academic knowledge, provide a

platform for integration of individual efforts across the University in the course of knowledge transfer

and provide assistance in sustainable development to the community in the region. Therefore,

University of Novi Sad intends to promote the ideas of DTC aiming to integrate comprehensive

applicable knowledge generated across the University, including not only Engineering and Technology,

but also Natural and Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Agriculture, etc. The University of Novi Sad is


26

determined to make efforts in order to diversify funding, provide an efficient platform for generating

ideas, projects, transfer and commercialization of the knowledge created within the university.

DTC has been setting up good cooperation within the region, but the lack of information and trust

about technology transfer has been an interference factor. Through the activities of DTC University of

Novi Sad, potential partners from Belgrade and Italy are interested in mutual cooperation. They see

the DTC network as a good practice and “know how” to do successful technology transfer, and DTC

Novi Sad as an active partner to manage whole or part of the process. DTC wants to hold this practice

and spread it to other regions in Serbia. The main challenge of the DTC at University of Novi Sad is the

staffing situation. Since the beginning, DTC Novi Sad presented three different DTC managers which

tend to hinder communication and effective cooperation. The current DTC manager is also employed

on a temporary limited work contract. The fluctuation and uncertainties of staffing are a challenge for

the sustainability of the project.

Summarizing DTC Novi Sad showed a good collaboration and strong involvement in local and regional

cooperation within the Danube Region.

The wide spread activities of DTC Novi Sad show a positive and proactive attitude and generation of

new ideas. The development of DTC Novi Sad and the collaboration with SEZ will intensify due to the

fact that the UNS is partner in the INTERREG project Made in Danube project, coordinated by SEZ.

6.1.6 Overview Dissemination Activities DTC Novi Sad

With reference to table 1, table 2 shows all dissemination activities, carried out by DTC Novi Sad in the

years 2014 – 2016.

27

Table 2.: Dissemination Activities DTC Novi Sad

Type of Event Name of event Partner

responsible Date

Location (city, country)

Type of audience Estimated size

of audience Comments/

Further Information

Meeting Conference DTC Novi Sad 01.07.2013. Novi Sad, Serbia Partners, Research and

Industry 200 Promotion of DCTT

Meeting 1st Eastern European

Innovation Partnership High-Level Meeting

Steinbeis 22-23.05.2014. Stuttgart, Germany

Partners and Clusters 35 Workshop and Meeting

of DTC

Workshop – Training

DTC set-up visit Novi Sad Novi Sad 2-4. 03.2015. Novi Sad, Serbia Research and Industry 20 Training and Workshop

Meeting TTF program 09.10.2015. Belgrade, Serbia Policy, Research and Industry Introduction of TTF program,

SRTTP

Workshop IP Marketing and Evaluation 12-14. 1015. Belgrade, Serbia Research and Industry Workshop

Info day Info day on DTC activities,

DTC portal Novi Sad 25.03.2016. Novi Sad, UNS

Institutes, Faculties, representatives of companies, clusters, start –up companies

30 Dissemination

Meeting, Seminar Technology Transfer –

examples of good practice in the region”

25-26.04.2016. Banja Luka, Bosnia and

Herzegovina

Representatives of government, industry, professors, IP experts

40 Dissemination

Meeting DTC Meeting Steinbeis 30-31.05.2016 Karlsruhe DTC Ruse, DTC Novi Sad 4 Meeting and visits

Meeting Collaborative grant scheme,

Innovation Fund 21.06.2016.

Belgrade, Chamber of commerce

Minister, representatives of Chamber of commerce,

representatives of companies, clusters, institutes, universities

60 Dissemination

Seminar

HERE national team of Republic of Serbia for IP

management at universities and institutes

Novi Sad 22.06.2016. Rectorate,

University of Novi Sad

Representatives of the University of Novi Sad, professors, teachers,

researchers

40 Seminar (hosted by Danube

Center for Technology transfer at University of Novi Sad)

Meeting Eugen chocolates ltd Novi Sad 10.09.2016. Rectorate,


Technology transfer, DTC portal

2 Meeting and visit

Meeting/Seminar/Workshop

“How to successfully facilitate technology transfer and commercialize research

results“.

Split, Croatia 13.09.2016. 2 Member of state delegation of

Republic of Serbia


28

Meeting Institute for molecular engineering Belgrade



Technology transfer, DTC portal

4 Meeting and visit

Meeting

"Innovation and Technology Transfer", "Environmental Technologies and Energy

Efficiency" and"Cooperation of Business Organizations“

Osijek, Croatia

21.09.2016. Innovation and technology

transfer Meeting - participant

Festival Tesla fest Novi Sad 15.10.2016. SPENS

Honorary guest – discussion on technology transfer, DTC network, cooperation with

UNS

50 Guest

Meeting/Seminar on food and feed

FINS with Danube Center for Technology Transfer UNS

(DCTT)- meeting with Labena ltd. (largest importer of food

and feed processing equipment for Balcan



Technology transfer, DTC portal- future cooperation

5 Meeting

Meeting

Laboratorie de Genive Civil et Ingenierie

Environnementale Lyon 1 University, France

Novi Sad 09.11.2016. Rectorate


Technology transfer, DTC portal – future cooperation

3 Meeting

Meeting Frobas ltd. Novi Sad 28.11.2016. Frobas doo Technology transfer, future

cooperation, DTC portal (aleady partner)

visit to the factory - company

29

6.2 Danube Transfer Center Croatia, Vukovar

DTC Slavonski Hrast hosted by Eko-Sustav Ltd. Vukovar signed a LoI at the 2nd Annual EUSDR Forum in

Bucharest (Romania) in October 2013. Within the framework of Danube-INCO.NET project, the

(potential) staff of DTC Vukovar filled in the questionnaire for an analysis of its environment and host

organization in January 2015. In November 2016, DTC Slavonski Hrast signed the Memorandum of

Understanding with SEZ at the 5th Annual EUSDR forum in Bratislava (Slovakia).

6.2.1 Activities of DTC Slavonski Hrast

Throughout the last two years, DTC Slavonski Hrast has been actively involved in meetings, events,

trainings and workshops. Some of the activities were carried out directly within the Danube-INO.NET

project whereas some have been organized by the DTC network itself. Chapter 6.2.1.1 will present the

activities carried out by the project Danube-INCO.NET and chapter 6.2.1.2 will list all other activities.

6.2.1.1 DTC Slavonski Hrast activities within the Danube-INCO.NET project

a. Stuttgart, Germany 22nd - 23rd May 2014 Participation at the 1st Eastern European Innovation

Partnership High-Level Meeting; also training for DTC partners in Stuttgart related to DTC

founding, visits to Steinbeis Transfer Center – “Optical Chemo- and Biosensors” in Tübingen

(Germany) and Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) Reutlingen (Germany);

b. Vukovar, Croatia 4th - 5th March 2015 DTC Training and Meeting. In the premises of the

Technology Park Vinkovci Ltd. - first meeting (set-up meeting) regarding the establishment of the

first center for technology transfer in Vukovar-Srijem County - DTC Vukovar (Danube Transfer

Centre Vukovar) took place. As the only Croatian partner in this project the EKO-SUSTAV Ltd.

participated. The meeting was assisted and coordinated by the Hrast regional development

agency in Vukovar-Srijem County. The meeting was attended by the deputy mayor of the town of

Vinkovci Ivan Bosančić, director of ECO-SYSTEM Ltd. Vladimir Smolčić and Director of the

Technology Park Vinkovci Ltd. Josip Gilja, representatives of development agencies Vukovar-

Srijem Hrast Ltd., Vura Ltd., Via Ltd. and Vukovar-Srijem County, Representative from the Wood

Cluster Zvonimir Petrić and representatives of companies located in the Technology Park Vinkovci.

As a project partner company EKO-SUSTAV Ltd. Was represented by its employee - Mihajlo Nagy.

Technology Park Vinkovci organized a meeting and discussed the planning of further activities and

services such as: the DTC establishing regional specificity, learning about technology offers and

demands on technology transfer in Vukovar-Srijem County.

Set up meeting and innovation audits8 with two companies, who were introduced by Mr. Gohla

with presentation of DTC history and plans for the development in Croatia and with the plan to

participate in Interreg projects.

8 For further information, please see Annex, table 6.


30

Figure 5.: Vukovar, March 2015

c. In Ulm, Germany 29th - 30th October 2015 participation in the 4th Annual Forum of the EUSDR,

together with other DTCs;

d. In Craiova, Romania 30th November 2015 workshop for centers for DTC network (DTCs) – (DTC

Slavonski Hrast, DTC Nitra, DTC Cluj, DTC Bucharest, DTC Maribor, DTC Ruse - virtual)

Figure 6.: Craiova, November 2015

e. DTC Slavonski Hrast, attended 3 Virtual Meetings – 12th, 26th February & 22nd April 2016 and

organized one of them;

f. Twinning in Baden-Württemberg with SEZ - 2nd - 4th May 2016 with the following activities:

1. Karlsruhe, Germany 2nd of May 2016 Conference „Connect Ideas 2 business 2016“ with

participation of Ivan Ambroš, Mihajlo Nagy and Ivan Perković from wood processing

company „Spačva“ with presentation of Innovative idea on conference. Education in

Steinbeis related to interreg project proposals and inclusion in other projects;


31

Figure 7.: Karlsruhe, May 2016

2. Ostfildern and Biberach, Germany 3rd of May Visit Wood cluster proHolz and center of

competences for wood in Baden-Württemberg (Biberach);

3. Training on DTC Management.

g. Zagreb, Croatia 7th of June 2016 Visit to Forestry faculty and Forestry Institute – organized directly

by DTC management (Mihajlo Nagy and Ivan Ambroš without the attendance of SEZ);

h. Bucharest, Romania 10th of June 2016 Danube Transfer Center network face to face Meeting for all DTC network partners;

Figure 8.: Bucharest, June 2016

i. One week in Croatia 19th – 23rd September 2016 with the following program: o 19th September → Meeting with Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb

o 20th September → Company Visit “Spačva” in Vinkovci

o 21st September → Workshop DTC Slavonski Hrast in Vinkovci, Croatia


32

o 22nd September → Working Group Meeting “Innovation and Technology

Transfer” in Osijek

o 23rd September → Meeting with Rector of Josip-Juraj-Strossmayer-University in Osijek;

Prof. Dr. Željko Turkalj

o 23rd September → Meeting with Prefect of Vukovar-Srijem County in Osijek;

Mr. Bozo Galič

j. Bratislava, Slovakia 4th November 2016: DTC Slavonski Hrast signed the Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU)9. The Ceremony was organized in the frame of the 5th Annual Forum of the

EUSDR and attended by 30 invited guests, ranging from DTC network members, project partner

from the Danube.INCO-NET and representatives from local and international ministries and

universities. The MoU was signed by Ivan Ambros, Head of Department for Regional Development

and Strategic Planning at the Development Agency of Vukovar-Srijem “HRAST” Ltd. on the

Croatian side and Prof. Dr. Norbert Höptner, Director of Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum. Parallel to the

MoU, DTC Maribor signed the Letter of Commitment (please see figure 20 and 21).10

9 Please see also Annex, figure 20.

10 More information regarding the ceremony can be found here: http://www.ar-hrast.hr/default.aspx?id=12383.

Figure 9.: Vinkovci, 21st

September 2016


33

k. Twinning in Karlsruhe with SEZ 29th November – 1st December 2016 with the following programm: o 29th November 2016 Work on Interreg 2nd Call; o 30th November 2016 Training on DTC Structure and Business Plan; o 1st December 2016 Self Study “Proposal Writing for Interreg an H2020”

Figure 11.: DTC Ceremony in Bratislava (from left to right: Ivan Ambros, Prof. Dr. Höptner)

Figure 10.: DTC Ceremony in Bratislava (from left to right: Ivan Ambros, Prof. Dr. Höptner and Prof. Dr. Igor Tičar)

Figure 12.: Karlsruhe, December 2016


34

6.2.1.2 Other Activities of DTC “Slavonski Hrast”

a. Analysis of the DTC’s environment in respect of political, socio-cultural, economic, technological

and environmental and legal aspects has been accomplished;

b. Analysis of the DTC’s host organization such as universities or research institutes has been

accomplished;

c. Analysis of demand for DTC in respect of SMEs has been accomplished;

d. Qualification of the DTC staff has been accomplished;

e. Legal framework for DTC Slavonski Hrast in Vukovar – will be located by Competence Center

(Wood Cluster) Regional development Agency Hrast (Vinkovci, Croatia);

f. Growth strategies for DTC “Slavonski Hrast”: comprise mainly two areas: firstly, the connection of

DTCs on regional, national and European level and secondly, the conception and elaboration of

pilot projects;

g. DTC Slavonski Hrast is presented on the DTC Network website;

h. DTC Slavonski Hrast loading information on TIN portal, http://www.muri.utcluj.ro/dtc/tin-portal/;

i. DTC Slavonski Hrast uploaded companies to the TIN PORTAL.

6.2.2 DTC Slavonski Hrast Policy Dialogue

In the development of establishing a DTC network in the Danube area, the most important approach is

the connection of entrepeneurs, universities and research institutions. For DTC Slavonski Hrast the

mapping of all relevant actors is a responsibility, as well as motivating universities to participate in

research projects. Wood cluster (http://slavonski-hrast.com/) is already very active in Vukovar-Srijem

County in relation to companies and there is a start of cooperation with the wood cluster in Baden-

Württemberg.

The development of every DTC depends first on financial means, political approvement and

connections to various actors. DTC Slavonski Hrast has the opportunity to develop a network of

technology transfer in Croatia. SEZ supports DTC Vukovar in terms of participation in research projects.

With the establishmennt of a competence center, DTC Slavonski Hrast plans to involve actors from

wood clusters, universities, research institutions and companies. Further financing scould be secured

through EU/Interreg/other projects and partly from the county financial resources. Further the DTC

Slavonski Hrast is partner in the „Made in Danube“ project, coordinated by SEZ and creates the

possibility to develop the network of DTC in Croatia.

Regional development Agency Hrast (Vinkovci, Croatia) and Mr. Ivan Ambroš in May 2015 participated

in preparing the Made in Danube project proposal as a basis for the DTC Croatia development.

Great part of the analysis of the environment DTC in respect to political, socio-cultural, economic,

technological and environmental and legal aspects has been accomplished, with an analysis of

universities and/or research institutes. Beyond that an analysis of demand for DTC in respect of SMEs

has been accomplished.

After the first innovation audits and Expression of interest DTC Slavonski Hrast signed the MoU with

SEZ in 2016 to support further development of the DTC network in Croatia and the Danube area. Thus

DTC Slavonski Hrast will have more opportunities to connect every involved party in the process.

Besides, entrepreneurs and universities have given the following policy recommendations to:

- bring diverse interest groups to the table to enhance political will for common priority-setting

which can provide a basis for joint programmes in matching priority areas;

- intensify partner cooperation step-by-step, to overcome barriers;

http://www.muri.utcluj.ro/dtc/tin-portal/

http://slavonski-hrast.com/


35

- implement pilot projects which should be envisaged for specific purposes selected by the

(two or more) partners, while making use of experiences gathered in cross-border

collaboration projects;

- organize productive exchanges of information;

- help the parties to discover, clarify or create the highest joint gains possible;

- assist the parties in making informed choices;

- identify the added value of cooperation for researchers / entrepeneurs in Vukovar-Srijem

County and the Univesities;

- provide operational support to R&D projects.

Further DTC “Slavonski Hrast” is active member of PA 8 (Competitiveness) and participated at a

meeting of the working group for Innovation and technology transfer in March 2014 and September

2016 in Osijek (Croatia);

Also DTC Slavonski Hrast represented by the Development Agency of Vukovar-Srijem County Hrast and

Mr. Ivan Ambroš (Head of the Department of Regional Development and Strategic Planning)

participated at the PA Cross-fertilization perspective on Innovation and Technology Transfer Workshop

- 9th June 2016, Bucharest, Romania.

6.2.3 Collaboration with organizations and companies (including DTC TIN portal activities)

a. DTC Slavonski Hrast as an entry point for Croatia will make a mapping of all relevant actors in the

region and also motivate Universities to participate in research projects. Starting with the wood

cluster (http://slavonski-hrast.com/) including 33 members, SME's, universities, research

institutions, development agencies and other stakeholders in technology transfer;

b. In the first phase companies from the wood sector as well as the Croatian forest research

institute, the forestry faculty of University of Zagreb and the Energy institute Hrvoje Pozar are

audited. As mentioned, the plan is to continue to cover technology offers and technology

requests in entire Croatia;

c. Using DTC TIN Portal for the future collaboration with the organisations.

6.2.4 Future development and source of financing for DTC “Slavonski Hrast”

a. Vukovar-Srijem County established the competence centre SLAVONSKI HRAST Ltd. in March 2016.

The smart specialisation strategy of the Republic of Croatia 2016 - 2020 was adopted and a call for

Supporting Competence Centres Development was announced for 1st July 2016. There are already

defined RDI projects to meet entrepreneurs needs with research and innovation capacities;

b. The interreg project Made in Danube project with DTC Slavosnki Hrast as partner has been

approved. Also CEFAIR application was submitted to Interreg ADRION. Also during the workshop

in November / December 2016 in Karlsruhe, training for applications to Interreg Central Europe

and Interreg DTP 2nd call has been carried out;

c. With the establishment of the competence center DTC Slavonski Hrast plans to involve actors

from the wood cluster. The plan is to map universities, research institutions (technology offer)

and companies (technology needs);

d. Projects with the local industry.

http://slavonski-hrast.com/


36

6.2.5 Conclusion DTC Slavonski Hrast

Activities carried out by the DTC Slavonski Hrast have proven to be successful at achieving the goals

that have been defined within the several agreements. Recent workshops in Vinkovci and Karlsruhe in

September and November 2016 represent a seamless follow-up to the previous meetings and were

successfully performed.

The signing of the MoU between SEZ and DTC Slavonski Hrast was successfully carried out during the

5th Annual Forum of the EUSDR on 4th November in Bratislava. All in all the collaboration with DTC

Slavonski Hrast have also based on a proactive attitude from both sides. This is further proven by the

fact that DTC Slavonski Hrast enjoys strong political support from Mrs Dragica Karajić from the Ministry

if Entrepreneurship and Crafts of Croatia who is also Priority Area 8 Coordinator.

6.2.6 Overview dissemination activities DTC Slavonski Hrast

After a detailed enumeration of activities that have been carried out by DTC Slavonski Hrast, the

following table provides an overview of all dissemination activities from 2014 - 2016. The table also

shows the type of audience which shows the broad involvement of regional actors in events.

37

Table 3.: Dissemination activities DTC Slavonski Hrast

Type of Event

Name of event Partner

responsible Date


Type of audience Estimated size of

audience Comments/

Further Information

Meeting

Conference on Regional Innovation Strategies & Smart

Specialisation and DTC Working Session

SEZ 02.07.2013 Novi Sad (Serbia) Business partners, Universities,

Ministry 50

Conference on Regional Innovation

Strategies & Smart Specialisation and

DTC Working Session, first meeting

related to DTC establishment for

EKO-SUSTAV Ltd.

Meeting

Forum on the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the

meeting of the working group for innovation and technology

transfer in Bucharest

SEZ 28.10.2013 Bucharest (Romania)

Business partners, Universities, Ministry

500

Forum on the implementation of the

EU Strategy for the Danube Region

with signing of Memorandum of

Letter of Intent EKO-SUSTAV Ltd and

SEZ

Meeting Kick Off meeting of DANUBE-

INCO.NET ZSI

03.02.2014

Wien (Austria)

Project partners, DTC network partners

25 Kick Off meeting of DANUBE-

INCO.NET

Meeting WG for environment, EE Umwelt-

technik BW 24.03.2014 Zagreb (Croatia)

Business partners, Universities, Ministry

100 Presentation of DTC project and

DANUBE-INCO.NET project

Training Danube Transfer Centres

training SEZ 22.05.2014 Stuttgart (Germany)

Business partners, DTC network partners

25

Danube Transfer Centres training visit to Steinbeis Transfer Centre – “Optical Chemo- and Biosensors”

Tübingen and Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) Reutlingen

Meeting Kick off Danube Transfer

Centres meeting in Vukovar EKO-SUSTAV

Ltd.

04.03.2015

Vinkovci (Croatia)


20 Kick off Danube Transfer Centres meeting in Vukovar with Robert

Gohla (SEZ)

Workshop Workshop related to

establishing DTCs SEZ

30.11.2015

Craiova (Romania) DTC network partners 20

Workshop related to establishing DTCs

Training „Connect Ideas to business

2016“Conference and training SEZ 02.05.2016

Karlsruhe (Germany)


150 Training (Interreg and innovation

audit) with SEZ

Meeting Danube Transfer Centres

meeting SEZ 10.06.2016

Bucharest (Romania)

DTC network partners 20 Presentation of DTC establishment

results


38

Meeting Final conference of NO GAP

project SEZ 27.07.2016 Cluj (Romania)

DTC network partners, project partners

40

Final conference of NO GAP project with visits of innovative company

Napochin and meeting with representatives of clusters

Meeting PA8 WG meeting in Osijek with visits to Vukovar-Srijem County

SEZ 19.09.2016 Zagreb, Osijek and Vinkovci (Croatia)


50

PA8 WG meeting in Osijek with visits to Vukovar-Srijem County Prefect,

visit to Zagreb Forestry faculty, visit to Osijek University

Meeting 5th Annual Forum of the EU

Strategy for the Danube Region SEZ

03.11./ 04.11. 2016

Bratislava (Slovakia) Business partners, Universities, Ministry, DTC network partners

500

5th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region with signing of

Memorandum of understanding Hrast Development Agency with SEZ

Meeting DTC Management Training SEZ 28.11. – 01.12.

2016 Karlsruhe

(Germany) Business partners, DTC network

partners 10

DTC Management Training, defining the types of services offered by DTC

„SLAVONSKI HRAST“, development of business plan

39

6.3 Danube Transfer Center Bulgaria, Ruse

The Danube Transfer Center - hosted at the University Angel Kanchev - in Ruse signed a LoI at the 2nd

Annual EUSDR Forum in Bucharest (Romania) in October 2013. Besides, it filled in the questionnaire for

analysis and submitted it to SEZ in January 2015.

Figure 13.: Bucharest, November 2013

In the first months of its existence, DTC-Ruse was meant to be a separate unit in the organizational

structure of the University of Ruse. Due to expected changes of the Academic Board (elections, new

mandate) no further changes or adjustments were undertaken. After the end of January 2016, when

the new Academic Board was appointed, it was decided that DTC-Ruse must benefit from the existing

internal units in the university research infrastructure. That was the reason to include DTC-Ruse to be

a new unit in the Research & Development sector (R&D). Its main objective is to administratively and

financially organize and support the research as well as development and implementation activities of

the University. The R&D sector has been delegated rights for establishing business contacts with state

and private organizations and companies on behalf of the university.

In figure 13 overall concept of the University research complex is represented and shows that DTC-

Ruse is part of the Technology Transfer Center.


40

Figure 14.: University of Ruse; Organizational Chart

6.3.1 Activities of DTC Ruse

Within the past two years, meetings, trainings and participation in events were organised with or by

DTC Ruse. The chapter 6.3.1 is divided by activities which are directly connected with the Danube-

INCO.NET project and chapter 6.3.1.2 will list also further other activities.

6.3.1.1 DTC Ruse activities within the Danube-INCO.NET Project

a. Training / Workshop – 26th February 2015 organized in Ruse by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum


41

b. DTC Novi Sad attended 3 Virtual Meetings – 12th, 26th February and 22nd April 2016 and organized

one of them together with DTC Ruse;

c. Karlsruhe, Germany 30th – 31st May 2016 Attending - together with DTC Novi Sad - DTC

Operational Meeting (please see also figure 4);

d. Bucharest, Romania 10th June 2016 Participation at Danube Transfer Center Network face-to-face Meeting for all DTC network partners;

e. On 19th December SEZ and DTC Ruse will have a virtual meeting regarding policy dialog activities

of DTC Ruse, position of DTC within the organizational chart of University of Ruse, TO / TR

activities and new calls.

6.3.1.2 Other activities of DTC Ruse

The following activities have been carried out by DTC Ruse beside the Danube-INCO.NET project:

a. Trainings, seminars and company visits

Different types of activities and events were organized. Briefly, the first actions include:

6 trainings: Triggering event, Seminar “Leadership for success”, Seminar “Project Management

in Industrial companies. Goals, Benefits, Stages”, “LEAN management in production”, A

workshop "The spices of growth" - support for business activities in Ruse region, "Eco

Entrepreneurship";

1 seminar: SWOT analyses for business companies in the Intermodal Transport and logistics

cluster – Ruse;

3 company visits: to a milk and dairy product processing company, a professional power tools

producer, visit to a clothing / textile producer;

1 public event: Innovative Youth Expo;

More details about all of the activities can be found in the DTC-Ruse’s dissemination report.

Figure 15.: Ruse, February 2015


42

b. Project proposal

In November 2015 the team of DTC-Ruse elaborated an EU project proposal under the Task 3.3

Pilot Activities in the Danube-INCO.Net project, focused on the topic “Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy in a Bio-based Economy”. The project proposal was called InTraRenew

(Intraregional cluster capacity for adoption of renewable energy sources in transport and

logistics). In general, the overall goal of the project was to improve the awareness and capacity of

regional actors within the triple-helix matrix (business, government, academia) for adoption and

application of renewable energy sources (RES) in their activities. The actors, chosen for the field

study are members of the Intermodal transport and logistics cluster of Ruse – ITLC Ruse (FP7

funded) with the leading role of University of Ruse as a coordinating partner. The approach for

achieving the pilot action goal includes exploring the status quo in the selected organizations

through field interviews and data mining, exchange of knowledge through sharing of experience

and good practices of the stakeholders, elaboration of an integrated policy for better energy

efficiency and application of RES in ITLC Ruse.

c. TIN portal

DTC-Ruse started to use the TIN portal, developed by DTC Cluj Napoca (Romania), with its main

goal to facilitate the interaction among all DTCs within the network and to support the DTCs

partnering institutions to enlarge the scope of cooperation in the Danube region.

6.3.2 DTC Ruse Policy Dialogue

DTC Ruse has only been involved very limited on political level. DTC Ruse is not a member of any

Working Group within the PA. SEZ recommends DTC to show a more pro active attitude, especially in

the terms of policy dialog. SEZ further recommends DTC Ruse to become active within PAs in which

Bulgaria is partly chair holder: PA 3 (Culture and Tourism) – coordinated by Bulgaria and Romania and

PA 11 (Security) – coordinated by Bulgaria and Germany with the objective to contribute knowledge

about Innovation and Technology Transfer for both PAs.

6.3.3 Collaboration with organizations and companies

a. The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI)

The principle activities of The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry are:

Promotion of the economic development of the Ruse region;

Lobbying local and central government and other public authorities to promote an understanding

of the role and needs of the business;

Providing wide range of services to member and non-member companies to help develop their

businesses, both at home and internationally.

DTC-Ruse and RCCI collaborate in the following fields: exchange of information about possible

participation in national and international projects, organization of joint events, and exchange of

expertise capacity.

b. Ruse Industrial Association (RIA)

The main activities of RIA are focused on:

Representing its members’ interests in front of municipality and regional authorities through

active contacts with authorities’ representatives, employment agency, banks, city and regional

courts, etc. organizing events and discussions on important problems of business in the region;


43

consulting and supporting the RIA members in export and import operations; issuing certificates of

origin, providing information about customs regulations, trade fairs in Bulgaria and abroad, and

market researches.

Professional education and improvement of qualification: organizing seminars on different topics

like computer skills, company management, HR management, trade law and others,

entrepreneurship and start up creation.

Support of companies for searching of financial support: filling out paperwork for credit

applications; export evaluation of goods, business intelligence, etc.

DTC-Ruse and RIA collaborate on company audits, visits to companies and organization of joint

events.

c. Intermodal transport and logistics cluster of Ruse (ITLC Ruse)

ITLC is established with the aim to increase the effectiveness of the partners’ activities with respect

to the intermodal transport and logistics. The cluster is created under the EU funded project

InTraRegio (Towards an Intermodal Transport Network through innovative research-driven clusters

in Regions of organised and competitive knowledge - 286975-FP7-REGIONS-2011-1).

DTC-Ruse and ITLC-Ruse collaborate on company audits, input of information in scientific and

educational activities.

d. The Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River

EAEMDR is a legal entity based in Ruse, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport,

Information Technology and Communications. It is the only specialized organization in Bulgaria that

carries out the entire range of support activities for the maintenance of the waterway, the aquatory

of ports and the winter camps to ensure safe navigation in the Bulgarian section of the Danube

River.

DTC-Ruse and EAEMDR collaborate on joint projects applications and expertise support.

e. Ruse Regional Administration

The main role of RRA is to implement the government decisions locally and to ensure consistency

between national and local interests in regional policy. Also, RRA organizes the development and

implementation of regional strategies and regional development programs, interacts with local

authorities and local administration.

DTC-Ruse and RRA collaborate for development and ad hoc evaluation of regional strategies and

programs, organization of events with regional and supra regional importance, facilitating the joint

activities in the cross-border region with Romania.

6.3.4 Development and source of financing for DTC Ruse

The following activities of DTC-Ruse have been carried out:

a. Training “IP management” - co-organized by the patent office of Republic of Bulgaria 22nd – 23rd

June 2016;

b. Local companies – being interviewed with templates of IA, TO, TR;

c. Improving the information of DTC-Ruse in the TIN portal and the joint DTC website.

DTC Ruse will further seek financing through the following sources:

a. Fees from individuals and/or group customers for organizing events (meetings, seminars), focused

on the transfer of knowledge, technologies and information within the triple-helix matrix;

b. Contracts with companies for transfer of knowledge, technologies, information and consultancy

services;


44

c. Contracts with companies or other units for training their employees;

d. Contracts within Bulgarian or European projects and programs, funded by EU or other sources;

e. Sponsorships or donations;

f. Other sources.

6.3.5 Conclusion DTC Ruse

The collaboration with DTC Ruse is still in an initial phase as SEZ has only signed a Letter of Intent with

DTC Ruse. To function as a full DTC, SEZ strives towards further arrangements such as a LoC or MoU. At

this moment SEZ recommends DTC Ruse to become more proactively involved, especially in terms of

policy dialog. On the other hand, DTC Ruse is facing difficulties in connection with the hosting

organization – the University of Ruse. Organizational and staff structure show a high level of volatility

which causes an unfavorable situation for the Transfer Center in Bulgaria, considering the fact that

Ruse is currently the only entry point. SEZ therefore aims towards extending the network in Bulgaria

but is also in constant dialog with DTC Ruse, especially regarding the new position of the DTC within

the university.

6.3.6 Overview Dissemination Activities DTC Ruse

The following table shall give a final overview of dissemination activities, carried out by DTC Novi Sad

in the years 2014 – 2016.

45

Table 4.: Dissemination activities DTC Ruse 2014 - 2016

Type of Event


responsible Date


Type of audience Estimated

size of audience

Comments/ Further Information

Training Triggering meeting SEZ 26-27 February

2015 Ruse, Bulgaria

Academic professors and administrative

staff 27

Training Seminar “Leadership for

success”

URAK March 21, 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students,

business representatives

32

Guest: Todd Geist – financial manager and leadership coach in Procter & Gamble Ltd Focus: building strong relationships of cooperation oriented towards a direct relationship between students and business.

Visit Visit to the milk and

dairy products company – Buldex Ltd

URAK April 15, 2015 Belitsa, 50 km. from Ruse Academics, students 25

Focus: better understanding of the business entity needs for technology transfer and links with the university.

Training

Seminar “Project Management in

Industrial companies. Goals, Benefits, Stages”

URAK April 28, 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students,


18

Guest: Wolfgang Bednar. Focus: innovation process in industrial companies, idea generation, prototype development and production tests.

Seminar

SWOT analyses for business companies in

the Intermodal Transport and logistics cluster –

Ruse

URAK May 28, 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students,


12

Focus: students to get experience to identify the needs for future development of business units and the role of the university in that.

Training Seminar “LEAN management in

URAK June 24, 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students,

business 41

Focus: applying new management techniques in


46

Type of Event


responsible Date



size of audience


production” representatives production companies for improving inventory system, capacity usage, process and operational management.

Visit Visit to Sparky Eltos –

professional power tools producer

URAK October 22, 2015 Lovech, 190 km. from Ruse Academics, students, managers from the hosting company

29

Focus: the two-way connection between the business and academia and how this could foster the technology transfer and technology development.

Training

A workshop "The spices of growth" - support for

business activities in Ruse region

URAK November 18,

2015 Ruse, Bulgaria


representatives 33

Focus: the support of different institutions and the university for startup creation and growth of newly established business units.

Training Seminar "Eco

Entrepreneurship" URAK December 2, 2015 Ruse, Bulgaria


representatives 15

Focus: to attract young people for the idea of sustainable business with care for the environment.

Visit Study visit to a company:

clothes producer “Markam” Ltd.

URAK April 14, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students 28

Focus: to demonstrate to students application of new technologies in a traditional production sector.

Public event Innovative Youth Expo URAK May 13, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria


representatives, regional stakeholders

250>

Focus: to encourage young people to create and implement innovative ideas with the support of academia, business and the society.

Training Danube Transfer Centres

training SEZ

22.05.2016.

Stuttgart (Germany)


25

Danube Transfer Centres training visit to Steinbeis

Transfer Center – “Optical Chemo- and Biosensors”

Tübingen and Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI)

Reutlingen


47

Type of Event


responsible Date



size of audience


Meeting Danube Transfer Centres

meeting SEZ 10.06.2016. Bucharest (Romania) DTC network partners 20

Presentation of DTC establishment results

Public event Erasmus International

week URAK June 14, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria


representatives, regional stakeholders

18 Presentation of DTC as an

instrument for internationalisation.

Meeting Ruse Municipality URAK June 14, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Experts, Municipality

employees 8

Discussion on joined efforts of URAK and Municipality for

improving the business environment and how DTC may

support that goal.

Training TEMPUS project meeting URAK July 09, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academic partners from Uzbekistan,

Poland, Spain 35

Fostering the cooperation between academia-business for improving the regional research system

Meeting TEMPUS visit to a company: clothes

producer “Markam” Ltd.

URAK July 13, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academic partners from Uzbekistan,

Poland, Spain 38

Focus: to demonstrate to students application of new technologies in a traditional production sector.

Training Seminar for trainers “Eco

entrepreneurship” URAK 14-15.07

Nisovo village, near Ruse, Bulgaria

Academic partners from 3 universities, start-up association

8

Focus: how to consult local companies and entrepreneurs to develop eco products and services.

Meeting Triple Helix Conference on Bio-Based Economy,

Budapest

URAK 19-20.07 Budapest (Hungary)



148 Focus: academic support for companies with innovative technologies and products

Training Seminar “Design of

interdisciplinary academic courses”

URAK July 26, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, researchers 15

Focus: how to build modern and practically orientated courses, considering the need of regional business.


48

Type of Event


responsible Date



size of audience


Meeting Meeting with the board

of Ruse chamber of commerce and industry

URAK August 23, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics,

researchers, business representatives

5 Focus: how to implement joined activities to support the local business

Public event Press conference “Entrepreneurial

university”

URAK September 28, 2016

Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students, media

250>

Focus: presenting the capacity of the university to cooperate with stakeholders and to support entrepreneurial activity.

Public event

Workshop of Resita network: Academic

Entrepreneurship and Innovation network of

South-Eastern European Universities

URAK October 27, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria Academics,

researchers, business representatives,

stakeholders

27 Focus: support of business to improve profits and stay socially responsible

Public event

55th

Annual Scientific conference “SMART

SPECIALIZATION - INNOVATIVE STRATEGY

FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC

TRANSFORMATION

URAK October 29, 2016 Ruse, Bulgaria



250>

Focus: improving the economical status of the region through fostering innovations and smart specialisation of local business.

Public event

A conference “Internationalization of Romanian Education,

Research and Innovation”

URAK November 03, 2015

Bucharest (Romania)



24

Focus: implementation of a sustainable and balanced social and economic development, in order to respond better to global cooperation and the competition for knowledge and capital

Training Junior Achievement URAK November 16, 2016

Ruse, Bulgaria Academics, students 98

Focus: development of entrepreneurial ideas for products, services and technologies for healthcare sector.


49

Type of Event


responsible Date



size of audience


Interview

Publication in “Capital” newspaper (online, national coverage)

http://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/bulgaria/2016/11/25/2869956_pet_izvoda_ot_noviia_reiting_na_universitetite/

?sp=3#storystart

URAK November 25, 2016

Ruse, Bulgaria Public 26423

Interviews about universities ranking in Bulgaria with examples from several institutions. Focus: how universities foster regional development and elaboration of strategies together with business units.






50

7 Final conclusions and recommendations

Figure 16.: DTC Network Map

It can be stated that the DTC network is growing and currently, besides Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, nine

other DTC Centers have been opened: Romania (Cluj and Bucharest), Serbia (Novi Sad), Slovakia

(Bratislava and Nitra), Bulgaria (Ruse), Slovenia (Maribor), Croatia (Vukovar), and Hungary (Pannon

Business Network). Surely the development status of DTCs and DTC candidates varies but both, the

organization and the activity of DTC network is increasing and maturing.

There are pressures for expansion with new offices but not all of the existing DTCs are functioning

efficiently yet. The initiative is facing weak points especially in terms of proactive behaviour which

mostly results from a high fluctuation rate and changes in the human resources sector, particularly in

the sector of higher education. SEZ therefore recommends to prevent changes of contact persons

where possible and aims towards the establishment of a general institutionalization process (e.g. rules,

procedures, mechanisms of delegation/implication/evaluation/motivation regarding the activities in

offices, procurement and sharing of resources, etc.).

The challenges to establish a successful DTC do not only concern the human resource sector. The

choice of instrument that

a.) facilitate the work of the DTCs itself (e.g. instruments for mapping innovation potential for

research organizations and needs of SMEs); and

b.) support the connecting activities of the DTC network (e.g. communication within the

network, exchange of experience).

are equally important.


51

7.1 Innovation Portal and online pressence

In this regard, there are currently two initiatives in progress, led by DTC Cluj-Napoca, which pose

these challenges:

a. TIN Web portal for mapping the knowledge potential and innovation needs: Currently TIN is in its

validation phase but yearly submited reports from DTCs also include activities made within the

TIN Portal. Many organisations are already actively interacting and exchanging with the help of

TIN portal: http://www.muri.utcluj.ro/dtc/tin-portal/.

As can be seen in table 5, the current level of TIN Portal entries is low at the moment. Nevertheless the

portal can be seen as a success with the potential for its growth, considering the fact that it is only in

its Beta phase. TIN Portal is also an integral part in the INTERREG project Made in Danube which

secures follow-up financing and development of the Portal. The target is for each DTC to insert three

entries per month (1 research organization and 2 companies).

Table 5.: Current Status of the TIN Portal Database11

DTC Office

Research profiles

Company profiles

TOTAL

Cluj-Napoca (4 Uni Cluj +

Uni Sibiu + IPA Craiova)

5

2

7

Nitra 2 0 2

Novi Sad 6 6 12

Bucharest 4 1 5

Maribor 1 0 1

Vukovar 3 2 5

Györ 0 0 0

Ruse 1 0 1

TOTAL 22 11 33

b. DTC network website: The web presence of the DTC network has been established without

external financing by DTC Cluj-Napoca. Main goal of the website is the integration of

communication and training functions within the virtual environment. This website will further

inform potential stakeholders about the objectives and missions of DTCs, upcoming events and

11

As from 1st

June 2016

http://www.muri.utcluj.ro/dtc/tin-portal/


52

activities. Beyond that, it will foster synergies in the Danube area by improving networking

possibilities. The establishment has not been accomplished yet as the website is still under

construction12.

7.2 Set up of Working Groups

The future development of the DTC network also foresees an intensive cooperation of the network

through the organization of three working groups. Table 6 shows the membership of DTC Manager in

different working groups. The boxes highlighted in yellow indicate chair holders. A total of three

working groups have been established:

1. Internal Structure;

2. Network Extension;

3. DTC Tools.

Main objective of the working groups is to prepare rules and procedures of DTCs and each of the chairs

have already prepared a first draft of a group activity report.

Table 6.: Working Groups within the DTC network

DTC Manager Country WG1 DTC Internal structure WG2 Extension of network WG3 DTC Tools

Ivan Ambros Croatia 1

Mihajlo Nagy Croatia 1

Marin Alexandru Romania 1

Popescu Sorin Romania 1 1 1

Mihai Dragomir Romania 1 1 1

Svilen Kunev Bulgaria 1

Danka Moravčíková Slovakia 1

Daniela Chiran Germany 1 1 1

Gabriel Vladut Romania 1

Tillmann Heß Ukraine 1

Daniela Acs Slovakia 1 1

7 5 6

WG Coordinators13

7.3 Sustainability and Transferability

Taking into account all of the above mentioned activities and development, it is secure to say that the

former pilot initiative has been transformed into an international network. SEZ is currently working on

the development of existing DTCs but at the same time striving towards the inauguration of new entry

points. The co-operation of DTC partners within the INTERREG project Made in Danube – which is

coordinated by SEZ - is an important step towards the sustainability and development of the project.

The concept of DTC according to the Steinbeis method has also been nominated as a best practice for

the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region. SEZ is further planning on submitting an application within the

INTERREG Alpine Space programme to transfer the DTC model in this region. The DTC concept has also

raised the attention in the Danube Strategic Point who envisions DTCs as a possible strategic project.

12

For more information, please visit: http://www.dtcnetwork.eu. 13

As from 25th November 2016

http://www.dtcnetwork.eu/


53

8 Bibliography Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Wirtschaft (2015). Wissenstransferzentren und

IPR-Verwertung.

http://www.bmwfw.gv.at/Innovation/Foerderungen/Seiten/WissenstransferzentrenundIPR-

Verwertung.aspx

Environment, People, Law (2014): Public vision of Ukraine’s participation in the EU Strategy for the

Danube Region.

European Union (2015): http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/member-countries/

JOINEUSEE (2015): University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

http://www.joineusee.eu/content.aspx?AID=37

Marinkovic, Ines & Dall, Elke (2014). R&D and Innovation in Western Balkans. Moving Towards 2020.

WBC-INOC.NET c/o ZSI – Centre for Social Innovation.

Ranking of universities (2015): Central Eastern Europe:

http://www.webometrics.info/en/Ranking_Europe/Central_Eastern_Europe?page=1.

Reuters (2015): Russia rules out handing back Crimea, expands war games

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/03/17/uk-ukraine-crisis-crimea-russia-idUKKBN0MD0ZA20150317

University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (2015). History of the university,

http://unsa.ba/s/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=26&Itemid=78.

http://www.bmwfw.gv.at/Innovation/Foerderungen/Seiten/WissenstransferzentrenundIPR-Verwertung.aspx

http://www.bmwfw.gv.at/Innovation/Foerderungen/Seiten/WissenstransferzentrenundIPR-Verwertung.aspx

http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/member-countries/

http://www.joineusee.eu/content.aspx?AID=37

http://www.webometrics.info/en/Ranking_Europe/Central_Eastern_Europe?page=1

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/03/17/uk-ukraine-crisis-crimea-russia-idUKKBN0MD0ZA20150317

http://unsa.ba/s/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=26&Itemid=78

54

6. Appendices

Table 7.: Innovation Audit Example, Vinkovci (Croatia)

COMPANY SPAČVA d.d., Vinkovci, Croatia

Topic Results of Audit

1. INNOVATION

CULTURE

Related to this topic Spačva d.d. needs to improve participation I trainings and

advanced education also there is need for market analysis, opportunity assessment

and following future trends to benefit Innovation culture. Cooperation with other

partners and developing new products is satisfactory.

2. INNOVATION

CAPABILITY

Need to improve operational business and make links to innovation strategy. Also

already existing Innovations have to be protected. Use of new technologies is on high

level and project objectives are defined.

3. INNOVATION PROCESSES

This is area that has many gaps. Innovation sources have to be defined, also sources

for financing innovative ideas. Spačva d.d. also has not been before involved in

transnational innovative projects. When there is no interest or participation in

innovative projects you cannot expect investment return at daily basis. Company has

to make step in direction of innovation processes.

4. INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Overall best rated part of audit. Trends in production are followed, with new research

with constant improvement. One thing that needs improvement is level of

technologies and knowledge incorporated in company offer.

5. MARKETING INNOVATIONS

Also successful part of audit. With cooperation with foreign companies, and support

for customers, also existing is strategy for new markets and strategic partnerships.

6. INNOVATION SUPPORT

There is need for strong support in dissemination activities like publications and patent

licensing. Not enough of following social media trends, and integration of

technologies. Lack of help from external experts for help, support in deploying

innovation.

CONCLUSION

There is expressed need for Information about EU funds and programs, patent

applications and new, innovative product development. By the sole basic wood

processing production in this company emphasis is not so much on innovation and this

is area that has to be improved. Problems are visible in radar diagram with all issues

expressed above.


55

Figure 47.: Expression of Interest, Kiev; Polytechnical Institut


56


57


58

Figure 18.: Memorandum of Understanding Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum / DTC Slavonski Hrast


59


60

Figure 19.: Letter of Commitment Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum / DTC Maribor

Documents

Report on set up of DTCs and Dissemination activities · Report on set up of the DTCs in the Danube Region and Dissemination activities (D5.34) Danube-INCO.NET 2 Document Control