By hannover-web.com A press conference on promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements took place in Guangzhou on October 18, as reported by journalist Cheng Jingwei from China News Service. At this event, it was announced that Guangdong has released two new documents: the “Implementation Plan for Deepening the Reform of Job-related Scientific and Technological Achievements Management (2024-2027)” and the “Guidelines for the Identification of Due Diligence Exemption in the Transformation of Job-related Scientific and Technological Achievements in Higher Education Institutions and Research Units (Trial).”
Wang Yueqin, the Director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, emphasized the significance of these documents. “These two documents serve as practical tools and operational details to drive the transformation of technological achievements,” she stated. They specifically address the challenges faced in the conversion process, focusing on the issues of reluctance and lack of capability to transfer innovations in universities and research institutions. The aim is to enhance institutional reforms and departmental collaboration, effectively bridging the gap in policy implementation.
Wang highlighted that the main themes of the “Implementation Plan” are empowerment, incentives, and guarantees, making it the first official policy document from the provincial party and government offices focused on reforming the management of job-related technological achievements.
According to the “Implementation Plan,” higher education institutions and research entities in Guangdong can autonomously conduct technology transfers, licensing, or investments without needing approval or registration from supervising departments. They also have the autonomy to decide whether to conduct asset evaluations for the transformed results and are allowed to establish separate management systems for their job-related achievements, excluding them from state asset evaluations during audits.
However, the conversion process can sometimes pose challenges for researchers. For instance, in pricing their innovations, setting too low a price or failing to successfully transfer could lead to concerns over “loss of state assets.” Conversely, pricing too high might deter investment from enterprises and financial institutions, possibly resulting in “idle state assets.”
The “Guidelines” are expected to alleviate these concerns. This document is notably the first of its kind in the country, spearheaded by a government department, and provides practical due diligence exemptions for the transformation of scientific achievements.
The “Guidelines” clarify that the recognition of due diligence exemption will be carried out by the Guangdong provincial science department along with the supervisory departments of higher education and research institutions, effectively addressing the question of “who manages.” It also specifies the conditions for due diligence exemptions and the scenarios in which these exemptions apply, addressing the “what is managed” concern. Additionally, the guidelines lay out the conditions and processes for initiating the recognition work, tackling the “how to manage” question.
