IRCs bring non-destructive testing specialists together for technology brokerage event
26 May 2003 - 28 May 2003
NDT is an essential tool used to test the quality and safety of materials used in a range of products, from aircraft, cars, and ships, to pipelines, power stations, and oil refineries. The unique advantage of NDT is that it provides accurate test results without causing damage to the actual material. This means it can also be used in consumer sensitive industries like food safety and the environment as well as life-saving medical procedures radiography and ultrasound testing during pregnancy for example.
The purpose of the IRC brokerage event, which will be held on the first and second day of the conference, is to provide a platform for some of Europes most innovative companies and research centres in the NDT sector to present their new technologies and research. Scientists working in the area will have the chance to interact with their counterparts in industry in order to enhance their future co-operation and transfer of technology. Over 30 representatives from SMEs and research centres across Europe are already lined up to attend.
In the run-up to the meeting, a catalogue of NDT-related technology offers and requests has been put together, allowing participants to select in advance the companies or research institutes they wish to meet face-to-face. Twelve IRCs from Greece, Belgium, France, Germany, Finland, Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom will be on hand to facilitate the meetings.
Business and technology journalists are invited to attend the brokerage event, which takes place at the Sun Beach Hotel in Thessaloniki. This is the perfect opportunity to hear about the latest technological developments and R&D in Europes NDT sector.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PRESS REGISTRATION, CONTACT: ,Anastasia Constantinou, IRC Help-Forward,Tel. +30 210 32 22 059, fax: +30 210 32 51 877, e-mail: irc@help-forward.gr
Further details on the Emerging technologies in non-destructive testing conference and the technology transfer event are available at: http://www.help-forward.gr/(opens in new window)
Background information on the Innovating Relay Centre network,· The network of Innovation Relay Centres provides a specialised transnational technology brokerage service for knowledge-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, research institutes, universities, technology centres and innovation agencies. ,· The first IRCs were established in 1995 with the support of the European Commission, as members of an integrated pan-European platform to stimulate transnational technology transfer and promote innovation services. Today, 68 IRCs, with almost 250 offices employing over 1,000 people in 31 countries, form an integrated European technology transfer network, the largest of its kind in the world. Their success in stimulating transnational technology transfer based on brand recognition, close links with enterprises and universities, and the effectiveness of the tools and procedures developed by the network is unique.,· Most IRCs are operated by consortia of regional organisations with established reputations in local research and industrial communities. These include innovation agencies, Chambers of Commerce, regional development agencies and university technology centres. Altogether, almost 250 partner organisations are involved, ensuring a local presence in most regions of Europe. IRC staff are experienced specialists with backgrounds in business, industry and research.,· Each IRCs approach, procedures and skills have been developed in response to the technological structure and business culture of the region it serves, and each has developed close ties with the local community of technology-based firms. At the same time, all IRCs draw strength from their membership of a European network. The strong technical and personal links within the network equip each IRC to broker technology transfers quickly and efficiently. In many regions, IRCs have established themselves as the service providers of choice for companies wishing to internationalise their research activities, their marketing operations or their supply chains.,
The purpose of the IRC brokerage event, which will be held on the first and second day of the conference, is to provide a platform for some of Europes most innovative companies and research centres in the NDT sector to present their new technologies and research. Scientists working in the area will have the chance to interact with their counterparts in industry in order to enhance their future co-operation and transfer of technology. Over 30 representatives from SMEs and research centres across Europe are already lined up to attend.
In the run-up to the meeting, a catalogue of NDT-related technology offers and requests has been put together, allowing participants to select in advance the companies or research institutes they wish to meet face-to-face. Twelve IRCs from Greece, Belgium, France, Germany, Finland, Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom will be on hand to facilitate the meetings.
Business and technology journalists are invited to attend the brokerage event, which takes place at the Sun Beach Hotel in Thessaloniki. This is the perfect opportunity to hear about the latest technological developments and R&D in Europes NDT sector.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PRESS REGISTRATION, CONTACT: ,Anastasia Constantinou, IRC Help-Forward,Tel. +30 210 32 22 059, fax: +30 210 32 51 877, e-mail: irc@help-forward.gr
Further details on the Emerging technologies in non-destructive testing conference and the technology transfer event are available at: http://www.help-forward.gr/(opens in new window)
Background information on the Innovating Relay Centre network,· The network of Innovation Relay Centres provides a specialised transnational technology brokerage service for knowledge-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, research institutes, universities, technology centres and innovation agencies. ,· The first IRCs were established in 1995 with the support of the European Commission, as members of an integrated pan-European platform to stimulate transnational technology transfer and promote innovation services. Today, 68 IRCs, with almost 250 offices employing over 1,000 people in 31 countries, form an integrated European technology transfer network, the largest of its kind in the world. Their success in stimulating transnational technology transfer based on brand recognition, close links with enterprises and universities, and the effectiveness of the tools and procedures developed by the network is unique.,· Most IRCs are operated by consortia of regional organisations with established reputations in local research and industrial communities. These include innovation agencies, Chambers of Commerce, regional development agencies and university technology centres. Altogether, almost 250 partner organisations are involved, ensuring a local presence in most regions of Europe. IRC staff are experienced specialists with backgrounds in business, industry and research.,· Each IRCs approach, procedures and skills have been developed in response to the technological structure and business culture of the region it serves, and each has developed close ties with the local community of technology-based firms. At the same time, all IRCs draw strength from their membership of a European network. The strong technical and personal links within the network equip each IRC to broker technology transfers quickly and efficiently. In many regions, IRCs have established themselves as the service providers of choice for companies wishing to internationalise their research activities, their marketing operations or their supply chains.,