KazNU discussed issues of commercialisation of university science
Scientists, investors and entrepreneurs gathered at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. At the dialogue platform ‘Technology Commercialization Reactor for the Chemical Industry’, participants discussed the implementation of scientific projects and commercialization of innovations.
The event is organised by Al-Farabi KazNU together with the Science Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The aim was to familiarise businessmen with innovative projects developed by the university scientists, to consider problematic issues on promotion of scientific projects on the market.
The large-scale event was attended by: Chairman of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Galimzhan Zhankuatov, Chairman of the Board of JSC ‘Science Fund’ Kamil Akatov, Deputy Chairman of the Board - First Vice-Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Erkin Duisenov, businessmen, scientists from universities in Almaty, Atyrau, Karaganda and other cities.
Vice-rector of KazNU Yerkin Duisenov opened the event with a welcoming speech. In his speech, he noted that today the university faces the task of developing university science, improving the quality of management and increasing the number of researchers.
‘Head of State Kasym-Jomart Tokayev said at the meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology: ‘Commercialisation of scientific developments is of special importance. For this purpose, it is necessary to build effective mechanisms of interaction between the scientific community and business. Since 2017, KazNU has won 15 commercialisation projects for a total amount of 3 billion. 18 million tenge. Currently, 7 projects have been completed, 8 - in the process of implementation,’ - said the Vice-Rector.
At the event, Galimzhan Zhankuatov, Chairman of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, stressed that today's dialogue platform will provide an opportunity to conclude promising deals and commercialise projects.
‘The state has set clear objectives to strengthen the integration of science and business. A plan has been developed to achieve these tasks, strategic directions for the development of commercialisation of projects. For its part, the Committee of Science is working on the current mechanisms to improve commercialisation. Also, the Science Fund will be empowered to organise cooperation between science and business and the involvement of business in the implementation of scientific developments. The Law on Science and Technology Policy has been signed. The Science Fund is endowed with a number of powers that allow to expand the direction of commercialisation in full. It should be noted that based on the results of such integration dialogues held in advance, more than half of the presented scientific projects have found their business partners,’ said Galimzhan Zhankuatov.
Kamil Akatov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC ‘Science Foundation’, who shared the results of the work carried out, spoke next.
‘The Science Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Russian Federation conducts technology commercialisation reactors, which make it possible to create platforms and sites where representatives of science and business meet in order to bring scientific results to the market of full-fledged projects with added value. Research universities occupy a special place in this chain. Therefore, it is no coincidence that today the event is held within the walls of the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi. Currently, 10 such events have been held. As a result, 378 projects were received. Of them 101 were presented, 18 applications were submitted and 14 were approved for funding’, - said Kamil Akatov.
During the event, the business community was presented such technologies as efficient purification of rough indium, integrated use of pulverised coal fraction, purification of hydrogen sulphide-containing gases, production of sodium formate for anti-icing agents, production of keratin hydrolysates from animal waste and other innovative developments.
Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
