Katharina Fromm, Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation at the University of Fribourg

Three questions to Katharina Fromm, Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation at the University of Fribourg

Tech transfer activities are on the rise in Switzerland. How do you explain this cultural shift?

Switzerland is one of the most innovative nations in the world, but a number of countries are starting to nip at Switzerland’s heels. If we are to stay at the front of the pack, we need to step up our efforts to promote closer links between the worlds of research and industry. Nurturing this entrepreneurial spirit and facilitating the uptake of industrial and commercial applications are high on the agendas of the public authorities, research institutes and education providers.

Can the canton of Fribourg rise to this challenge?

With the University of Fribourg, the Adolphe Merkle Institute, the EPFL outpost, other higher education providers and Agroscope, our canton has huge potential in this regard. But it’s important to remember that we also have various clusters and platforms like TechTransfer Fribourg, Fri Up and the SICHH that play an important part in linking existing infrastructures and knowledge.

What is your technology transfer vision for Fribourg University?

I try to understand Fribourg in its entirety and not simply view through the university prism. By playing the role of catalyst and injecting the process with the University’s expertise, it is my hope that local innovative start-up incubators will start springing up across the canton. This is the direction we’re moving in.