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Introduction
The
common thread weaving through the MarBEC program is both intellectual
and pragmatic. To effectively translate research advances into commercial
products and processes, collaboration with industry is vital. MarBEC  has
established relationships with firms in a range of industries, including
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, food, feed, energy, environment,
cosmetics and aquaculture. The MarBEC industrial members represent a wide
diversity of companies interested in high value marine bioproducts. The
goal of MarBEC's industrial collaboration program is to establish an effective
partnership with industrial firms located in Hawaii, North America, and
leading technology countries in the Pacific Rim and Europe. The strategy
is to have a constant dialogue with industry at every level and opportunity
- at the research project, research program, and ERC Center level. These
partnerships incorporate interactive exchanges, workshops, symposia and
cooperative research.
The
focus of our industrial interactions is our Industry Sponsors Program
(ISP). This program has been designed to maximize intellectual dialogue
and technology transfer between the MarBEC team and industry, as well
as provide financial support for new avenues of research, educational
programs, and public outreach. Collaboration and information sharing are
the basis of MarBEC's support for its sponsors in commerce and industry.
MarBEC's Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) assists
with program and research planning, and MarBEC's industrial sponsors participate
in specific research programs and projects. The result is mutually beneficial
partnerships that stimulate research with marketable applications.
The
MarBEC Industrial Sponsor Program has two
levels of support. The Affiliate level provides companies with information
on the research being conducted within MarBEC and allows them access to
students and faculty for research planning in discussion. Affiliates are
invited to attend the annual MarBEC industrial symposium and they receive
copies of newsletters, publications, and other informative material from
the Center. In addition to the courtesies provided to Affiliates, full
Sponsors in the MarBEC ISP receive additional benefits.
Sponsors
in the MarBEC ISP automatically receive the seat on the IAB. Members of
the IAB assist the Center by providing input on the direction of research
and development of its educational programs. MarBEC provides preferred
licensing arrangements with participating industrial sponsors, and opportunities
to interact closely with faculty and students at research meetings and
symposia. Industrial sponsors will also have the opportunity to participate
in the growth of MarBEC's research and education programs in the marine
biotechnology arena.
MarBEC
Industrial Sponsor Program objectives:
- Encourage industry participation in the development
of a post graduate degree program that will produce exceptional students
in fields relevant to the bioproducts engineering industry.
- Provide industry with enabling technology and expertise
to accelerate innovation in bioproducts development thereby bridging
the gap between academic research and the marketplace.
- Establish an open forum for non-competitive exchange
of bioproduct research, knowledge, and opportunities between the academic
and industrial communities.
- Develop new opportunities for industry to derive
significant and individualized value from their MarBEC partnership
through workshops, seminars and student internship programs.
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