SRM University-AP recently marked a significant milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society for Technology Management (STEM). Established in 2005, STEM is a prominent non-profit association of technology transfer professionals dedicated to nurturing professional development, networking, and promulgating best practices for successful technology transfer. The primary objective of this strategic alliance is to effectively convert the university’s intellectual property (IP) into viable technologies and facilitate their subsequent commercialisation in the market. Beyond technology transfer, this partnership is designed to play a crucial role in creating widespread awareness among the faculty members regarding the value and management of intellectual property.
The signing ceremony was attended by key leadership members from both institutions. Representing SRM University-AP were the university Registrar, Dr Vinayak Kalluri, who joined the session to support the initiative, alongside Prof. Ranjith Thapa, the Dean of Research. In presence was Prof. Vinod Kumar G S, the Associate Dean of the Technology Transfer Cell, and Dr J P Raja Pandiyan, the Coordinator for IPR. The STEM delegation was represented by Mr Vijayaraghavan, the President of the Society for Technology Management, and STEM Executive Director Dr Kalpana, both of whom played pivotal roles in formalising the collaboration alongside numerous faculty members from the university who gathered to witness the event.
During the session, the Registrar addressed the gathering by highlighting the inherently research-intensive nature of SRM University-AP, setting a visionary tone for the collaboration. Following this, Prof. Ranjith Thapa elaborated on the university’s robust research ecosystem, detailing the active Centers of Excellence and the diverse, high-potential research topics currently being explored on campus. He emphasised that there is a vast, untapped potential for IP commercialisation at the university and reiterated that comprehensive institutional support is actively extended to everyone in the academic community, ranging from undergraduate students and PhD scholars to the faculty members themselves.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of STEM, Mr Vijayaraghavan shared valuable insights into the organisation’s core mission and the critical value of IP within the academic system. He emphasised that intellectual property serves as the foundational strength of a research-centric university and discussed the nuances of patent commercialisation, focusing on the effective management and strategic market placement of IP assets. Concluding the event, he highlighted STEM’s upcoming role in capacity creation at SRM University-AP, ensuring that the partnership will successfully bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial reality
