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We have started to believe in our abilities
Background
The (KIPT), one of the oldest and largest centres of physics in Ukraine, was established in 1928 for the purpose of developing scientific research in nuclear physics and solid-state physics. From the first years of its work, KIPT scientists achieved a number of scientific results which facilitated development of scientific activity directions. In 1932, splitting of the lithium atomic nucleus made KIPT one of the leading centres in nuclear physics in the USSR. Production of liquid hydrogen and helium cleared the ways to use low temperatures in physical research and technics. The first in the country school of physicists and cryogen specialists was open here. A school of theoretical physics well-known worldwide was established by a talented scientist and a future Nobel Prize, L.D. Landau. The Institute became a founder of the high-vacuum technique in the USSR, which in the course of time served a basis for development of vacuum metallurgy. KIPT pioneered development of metals reinforcement technologies which were applied in the setups called "Bulat" and are well-known now. In the post-war years, KIPT was involved in implementation of the USSR Nuclear Project and became one of the active participants engaged in research on atomic energy application for civil and military purposes. Research studies of the KIPT were considered secret for a long time. At that time, a large number of unique experimental setups were created, including a number of electronic and ion accelerators, a class of thermonuclear setups called "Uragan". Taking into account the needs of the USSR military industry, a number of new materials, complicated technological processes and setups were developed. However, political changes at the beginning of 90s essentially influenced activity of the KIPT. Funding was nearly stopped as well as many research studies. Highly qualified scientists and specialists had looked for new jobs in other fields of activity in the country and abroad. At the same time a search for ways for commercialization of scientific developments started in the market. Analysis proved that science-intensive technologies of the KIPT National Scientific Centre are extremely important from the national economic and commercial standpoint. Application of these technologies in the manufacture and creation of related productions, including export-oriented ones, faced considerable difficulties in Ukraine. Their practical application was hampered for many reasons, one of which was the lack of experience in commercialization of scientific and technical developments and establishment of profitable productions. The main problem facing KIPT scientists at present is the lack of experience in implementation of their developments in the market and deficiency of specialists in marketing and management. In this respect, the initiative of the DTI of Great Britain to expand the CNCP to Ukraine, in particular to KIPT, completely corresponds to the main criteria of the programme - "creation of an alternative civil sector of full-time employment for scientists and engineers dismissed from the nuclear weapons productions". The futureAt the first stage of cooperation, over 20 projects covering nearly all directions of scientific activity were proposed, which could claim to get the programme's support, corresponding to its objectives and criteria: create new jobs for former nuclear specialists and be commercially prospective. Thanks to efforts of the programme experts and support of the Science and Technology Centre of Ukraine, three projects were selected from them:
At the same time, the kind of initial co-operation traditionally used in the whole world but unexpected for scientists was offered - preliminary market research including gathering of commercial information, data analysis aimed at creation of competitive potential of these technologies, evaluation of possible markets, demand and supply models, models of profitability; also development of business-plans for each direction which will reflect procedures to ensure market effectiveness of the selected technologies. Financial analysis of the projects and investment needs should be presented and a way of their implementation determined. Also, unexpectedly for KIPT, programme representatives offered assistance to train a group of KIPT employees in marketing, management and international book-keeping standards who would form an appropriate department controlling implementation of KIPT scientific developments and to attract professional consultants for methodological project management. Such an understanding of KIPT's problems by the English experts and a complex approach to their solution created an optimistic basis for the Institute management and immediate participants of the project. The work was started with great enthusiasm, and now, although organizational issues have not yet been resolved, we may already talk about some preliminary results. Firstly, a thinking stereotype of the scientist was broken, who has long worked in conditions of government contractual work and stable funding and has not thought about many economic constituents of the created product. Secondly, subjective mental and ethical barriers were broken which, to some extent, prevented getting new contacts with potential partners - customers and consumers. At present, methods to establish dialogue, formulate questions and proposals are being worked out. Thirdly, the most important thing, many scientists have an optimistic outlook on the future and believe in their abilities and prospects to develop acquired knowledge and skills in marketing of the created scientific product and, as a result, an opportunity to improve it. | |
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