GMU Technology Transfer Office Takes Part in Pomeranian Agricultural Innovation Forum – The Power of Synergy

Gdynia Maritime University was represented at the event by Dr Magdalena Kukowska-Kaszuba, Director of the Technology Transfer Office, and Monika Maćkiewicz, Innovation Broker and Technology Transfer Coordinator. The forum brought together representatives of the academic and research community, entrepreneurs, farmers, agricultural advisers, and delegates from institutions supporting innovation development and cooperation between science and business.

The main theme of the event was building cooperation between agriculture, academia, enterprises, and business support institutions, focused on developing and implementing innovative solutions that address real market needs. Particular attention was paid to the importance of knowledge and technology transfer, the digitalisation of production processes, sustainable agriculture, and the available funding mechanisms for joint research and development initiatives.

A key highlight of the first day of the conference was a presentation by Dr Magdalena Kukowska-Kaszuba, entitled Innovation Brings Us Together – From Farmer Needs to Financing Solutions within R&D Cooperation. The presentation focused on mechanisms for aligning the needs of technology recipients with the research potential of universities, as well as opportunities for initiating and financing joint research and implementation ventures.

The conference programme also featured examples of innovation implementation in the agri-food sector. Representatives of Goodvalley Agro S.A. and MuuMap addressed issues relating to the development of modern solutions in agriculture and the digitalisation of communication within the milk supply chain. Discussions also covered regenerative agriculture, the role of local collaboration between farmers, researchers, and advisory services, as well as opportunities for building a regional agri-food innovation ecosystem conducive to the development and practical application of new technologies. Here, too, emphasis was placed on the crucial role of Technology Transfer Offices in initiating contacts, establishing enduring relations between academia and industry, identifying avenues for commercialising research outputs, and steering processes aimed at bringing innovative solutions to market.

Funding for innovative initiatives featured prominently on the agenda. Representatives of the Pomeranian Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Pomorza S.A.) outlined European funding opportunities available to businesses, while officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development detailed the operational rules for Intervention 13.5, 'EIP Operational Groups Cooperation', which supports projects founded on partnerships between farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and advisers. Beyond the presentations, the conference included a networking session and one-to-one consultations, providing avenues for making contacts and exchanging experience among participants.

The participation of representatives from the GMU Technology Transfer Office in this year's forum provided an opportunity to highlight the role of academia in creating and deploying innovation, as well as to expand the horizons of science-business cooperation into the agri-food sector. The event drew attention to the significance of collaboration grounded in identifying real-world technological challenges, leveraging the University's research capabilities, and appropriately tailoring R&D financing instruments. These mechanisms are cross-sectoral in nature and can be applied equally across other industries, forming an essential element of the activities of Technology Transfer Offices.

The activity was carried out under Task 1, Development Incubator, of the non-competitive project entitled Science4Business - Nauka dla Biznesu, co-financed by the European Union under Measure 2.5 of the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027 Programme.

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