Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/930257
The scheme has involved over 46 Fellows with over 270 assignments completed and is continuing to show evidence of business benefits to UMIP, improved services to inventors in the University, and skills enhancements for the students, confirming a positive role for the scheme. For 2017/18 we have 8 Fellows actively engaged in the scheme as well as seeing some of our more experienced ones move on. One of this year's departing Fellows is Laura Jeffreys, a PhD student in Biochemistry, she said: "As a PhD student we sometimes have blinkers on for our own research. Being a UMIP Fellow has allowed me to explore different topics of research; broadening my knowledge of science and technologies in many different markets. The skills I have learned during my two years of being a Fellow will not only help with my thesis writing but also any future career I enter." As part of the programme new Fellows undertake a training day at our Innovation Centre to introduce them to the skills needed to undertake a variety of assignments to support UMIP's activities. These include completing initial assessments of the commercial viability of new inventions, including how to identify potential applications and competitors, development of marketing materials for technologies, creating lists of companies for potential collaboration or licensing and analysis of patent literature. Fellows also have access to and support from the team at the Manchester Enterprise Centre during the term of their appointment. Tony Walker, Director of Innovation Optimiser at UMIP, commented: "It is great to still get so much active interest in the Fellows Programme and see the enthusiasm from students who have fulfilled this role and see it as a career enhancing addition. I would like to thank the Manchester Enterprise Centre for their close involvement and support of the UMIP Fellows Programme." Uzma Choudhry, PhD Biochemistry at MIB, said: "Through the UMIP Fellows programme, I have gained an appreciation of the implications and intricacies of commercialising breakthrough technologies being developed at the University. The diverse range of technologies I have been exposed to has been refreshing and given me insight into the market dynamics of different industries and sectors. Having assessed the commercial potential of such a broad range of technologies, addressing the numerous challenges of our society has furthered my knowledge of other research fields. This experience has allowed me to look at the technologies from a commercial perspective in addition to the scientific. The programme has helped me develop valuable transferable skills that complement the skills I am developing as a scientist. Overall an excellent opportunity!" For additional information about our Fellow Programme, please contact: Margaret Lewis on 0161 306 3067 or margaret.lewis@umip.com.