In 2011, the Genome Canada’s Entrepreneurship Education in Genomics (EEG) pilot programme was set up for a three-year period. The programme provides funding for genomics researchers across Canada to educate the community with respect to creating and adding value to their research and to translate research discoveries into marketable applications, products, technologies and systems. It covers the range of fields involved in genomics research, including natural resources, pharmaceuticals and medicine.

Innovative Features

• HEI - Business/External Relationships for Knowledge Exchange
• Leadership and Governance

GREAT, Genome Canada’s Entrepreneurship Education, is a partnership between Genome Canada, Genome British Columbia (Genome BC) and the University-Industry Liaison Office of the University of British Columbia. The purpose of GREAT is to help genomics scientists overcome barriers to implement their research. The programme provides specific funds for education and skills development, and networking opportunities for students, researchers and stakeholders working in the field of genomics who are facing entrepreneurial challenges. 

The partnership between the organisations provides the funding for the projects as well as opportunities to leverage the existing knowledge and competences developed in the existing entrepreneurship initiative (www.entrepreneurship.ubc.ca) at the University of British Columbia and the university’s Sauder School of Business.

The investment from partners is valued at just over $1 million. 25 per cent comes from Genome BC, 25 per cent from the University of British Columbia and 50 per cent from Genome Canada. The educational programme will be built on understanding the needs of researchers specifically with projects in natural resources, forestry and the environment. Sector-specific issues around natural resources and the environment are especially challenging for scientists, because impacts, such as forest health, take longer to be realised than in more traditional research projects.

One of the key features of the programme is that it provides a much more comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship in relation to the whole lifecycle of the research process: from planning and implementation through to outcomes. It does this through the involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders from multiple sectors and disciplines, many of whom may not have previously thought of their activities as being part of the entrepreneurial process. 

Some of the GREAT project activities include engaging with stakeholders and understanding stakeholder needs at the outset of a research process through public consultation with policy makers, legislators, land use planners and industry partners. There are also internships, student learning exchanges and mentorships with Sauder School of Business, as well as more traditional education activities. 

Results/Achievements

It is too early to demonstrate the impact of this pilot programme but the projects funded act as business cases for demonstrating new commercialisation opportunities. There will also be a demonstrable increase in competence in entrepreneurship for the project participants. The wider impacts will include contribution to the environmental sustainability and ongoing success of Canada’s natural resource sector as it adapts to the changing global economy and climate.

Further Reading

http://genomics.entrepreneurship.ubc.ca/about/

Contact

Andrea Lloyd

Programme Manager

andrea.lloyd@uilo.ubc.ca