As part of the activities of the Research Competence Development Unit of Near East University, the “From Idea to Patent” training organized by NERITA shared up-to-date information with participants on the protection of scientific ideas, patent application processes, and the commercialization of research outputs.
The true value of a scientific idea is not only revealed by its production in the laboratory, but also by its protection, commercialization, and transformation into social benefit. Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, added another initiative to its efforts to strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem by conducting the “From Idea to Patent” training to raise awareness among researchers about intellectual property processes.
The training, carried out by the Near East Research Innovation and Technology Area (NERITA) as part of the activities of the Near East University Research Competence Development Unit, was held in Room 101 of the Near East University Hospital with high participation. Academics, researchers, and students showed great interest in the event, which comprehensively addressed the protection of scientific studies through patents, intellectual property rights, and technology transfer processes.
The speakers, Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören, President of NERITA, and Şefik Emre Coşkun, Coordinator of the Technology Transfer Office (TTO), addressed to the participants. Participants gained detailed information on the fundamental stages of the patenting process, points to consider in patent applications, and strategies for protecting and commercializing research outputs. The event also emphasized the importance of intellectual property rights in transforming knowledge produced in universities into economic and social value, and presented examples of how researchers can protect their innovative ideas at national and international levels.
The process from idea to patent must become an institutional culture!
Speaking at the opening of the event, Prof. Dr. Umut Aksoy, Vice Rector of Near East University, drew attention to the importance of transforming research culture into an institutional structure. Emphasizing that success in patent and research processes should not be limited to accreditation alone, Prof. Dr. Aksoy said, “Even if we obtain accreditation, it needs to be ingrained in the university’s memory as a culture.” Stating that the Rectorate Research and Entrepreneurship Coordination Research and Application Laboratories Unit, which was established with this understanding, aims to utilize the university’s research infrastructure more effectively and develop solutions for the needs of researchers, Prof. Dr. Aksoy also said that priority research areas will be determined, feedback from researchers will be assessed to improve processes, and new applications will be implemented through training programs. Prof. Dr. Aksoy further stated that the “From Idea to Patent” training organized is an important part of these efforts to strengthen the research and entrepreneurship culture at the university.
In the knowledge economy, innovation is now the most valuable capital!
In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören emphasized that scientific ideas developed in universities should not remain only as academic publications, but should be protected by patents and other intellectual property rights and transformed into social and economic value. He said, “In the knowledge economy, innovation is now the most valuable capital. Intellectual property enables ideas to be transformed into economic value; it is the heart of entrepreneurship and innovation.” Özgören stated that Technology Transfer Offices are also an important structure that strengthens university-industry collaborations by bringing research ideas together with patent, licensing, and entrepreneurship processes.
Şefik Emre Coşkun, noting that novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability are decisive criteria in patent applications, warned researchers to complete patent applications and other protection processes before sharing their scientific work with the public. “A patent application must be filed before an invention is disclosed to the public; otherwise, the patent right can be lost”, said Şefik Emre Coşkun, emphasizing that patents are an important tool that not only protects researchers’ inventions but also strengthens university-industry collaborations and supports the commercialization of research results.
