Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CETM (Research capacity building through improved knowledge exchange and twinning frameworks for the Centre of Excellence in Translational Medicine)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-04-01 al 2018-12-31
The specific objectives of the project are to:
1. measurably and significantly enhance the overall scientific R&I capacity of UT and Estonia in the field of
translational medicine
2. raise the research profile of academic staff
3. strengthen UT ́s networking capacity, visibility and credibility
In order to achieve these objectives, the twinning activities with UCL and KI will:
- create a strategic framework for sustainable development (long-term development plan, links with
industrial partners, public funding and investment strategy, IPR strategy)
- enhance UT ́s research capacity in 6 key areas/techniques (6 joint summer schools/seminars, 11 medium-
term visits, 38 short bidirectional visits, participation in conferences)
- develop transferable skills of UT ́s research staff (training seminars in networking/H2020 participating,
IPR, research commercialisation, ethics, communication skills and doctoral training)
- extend UT ́s strategic partnerships and visibility among the professional community, industry, policy- makers and public (strategic networking, dissemination and public communication to targeted
stakeholders)
As the expected result of the CETM-TWIN project, the twinning activities between the consortium will lead to research improving synergy that supports building one of the leading translational medicine competency centres in the North-Eastern European region by 2020.
- prepared the Strategic Plan summarising our research priorities and key topics, management, infrastructure, funding issues,
- prepared the market overview that includes the list of potential industrial partners,
- prepared the general Public Funding and Investment Strategy identifying and summarizing potential funding sources,
- prepared the IPR strategy summarising the respective background information.
Under Work package 2 (Increasing UT´s research and innovation capacity in Translational Medicine) we have:
- held 9 workshops,
- performed 35 short visits among the Twinning partners,
- made 13 medium-term visits to partnering Universities,
- participated in 70 leading conferences and symposiums,
- organised number of internal seminars and established a new research group in neuroimmunology.
Under Work package 3 (Soft skills capacity building) we have organised:
- IPR training event,
- Research Commercialisation training,
- Communication training
- Research methodology, ethics and responsible research training
- Grant writing training
- prepared new targeted courses for our innovative doctoral training.
Under Work package 4 (Dissemination and outreach) we have:
- prepared the dissemination and communication strategy
- prepared the promotional tools and materials, published/participated 30 popular science articles/media activities,
- published 146 scientific papers,
- organised 6 events with different stakeholders,
- made preparations to hold Research Commercialisation training in October 2017,
- prepared new targeted courses for our innovative doctoral training.
Under WP 5 (Project Management) we have:
- established advisory board,
- organised effectively program management,
- reported our earlier publications.
The planned action will substantially and measurably increase the scientific capacity and performance level of medical research in Estonia within the project period and beyond as shown by the indicators, such as raised funding, academic and industrial partnerships, research outputs, innovation performance, enhanced strategy, values and attitudes towards research and innovation. A strong emphasis on long-term collaboration, training, critical mass in complementary disciplines, and the establishment of independent academic and industrial funding will ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the Centre.