Technology Commercialisation

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ULearning Skillnet
Duration 12 months on a part-time basis
Course Fee The diploma fee is €3,950 for the year. The fee includes registration, exam and tutor fees, course material, meals and refreshments during seminars held at the distance education locations.
Subjects Taught Innovation and Technology Transfer
To provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to forecast the future technological needs of their organisations, to evaluate the possible sources of new technology, and to manage the transfer of new products and processes, into or out of their organisations;
Participants will develop the ability to identify new technology platforms of potential strategic importance and to successfully assimilate such platforms into their firms;
The module will also address the different mechanisms through which firms can gain the maximum return from technologies that they have developed. These include patents, licensing, and trading in technical know-how.

Marketing Technology Products
To provide an understanding of the key marketing concepts in business generally and technology in particular;
To be capable of analysing markets for technology products / services;
To produce a marketing plan for a technology company (their own or another actual company);
To provide the participant with an understanding of the selling process.

Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Present a curriculum in the area of Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship that reflects the needs of the user;
Provide easy to access, state of the art reference material in the area of Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship to help learners to understand the essential fundamental concepts involved in the discipline;
Equip participants with the values, best practices, skills and supporting tools necessary to effectively design, develop and deploy technical projects in their organisations and to empower users to autonomously apply these concepts and tools;
To provide information on project managing an innovative idea

Technology Finance and Capital
To ensure that participants understand how investment decisions are made in large corporations and in SMEs. This is a key issue for executives seeking to persuade their superiors or Boards of Directors of the efficacy of particular investments in equipment and other assets. It is also a key issue for producers of equipment and other assets since these tools are generally used to guide investment (and hence purchasing) decisions;

To ensure that participants understand how financial assets (debt and equity claims) are priced in order to build credible proposals for bank and venture capital investment; To develop an appreciation of the relation between new manufacturing technologies and cost structures. New manufacturing technologies result in a radical realignment of cost structures and hence impact upon many operational and strategic decisions.

Projects
The project phase of the Diploma is an opportunity to pursue a relevant activity related to Technology Commercialisation. Each participant will be required to prepare a proposal; plan and manage the project; collect, analyse and use data where necessary; present their results; and write the project report.

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment 1 Year part-time, enrolment September.
Financial Support This course has been approved by ULearning Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 25% for students whose company is a member of the ULearning Skillnet network.

There are also a limited number of free places available for unemployed students who meet the required criteria by ULearning Skillnet.

Please note there are only a limited number of subsidies available for both employed and unemployed students.

Jobseekers please be advised that the Department of Social Protection (DSP) has no mandate to extend welfare support to clients undertaking NFQ Level 9 Programmes. Such programmes cannot be approved by DSP, and on that basis are designated SKN-E. Notwithstanding the above, we may offer a NFQ L.9 place to a welfare recipient. This is conditional on our network informing the individual, during the recruitment & selection phase, that the:

Welfare payment must be relinquished should he/she wish to pursue the programme

Trainee must inform the Social Welfare Local Office (SWLO), prior to commencement, about his/her intention to undertake an SKN-E programme, so that the Office can take the necessary steps to review/withdraw payment

Unfortunately, Skillnets cannot seek exceptional approval from DSP for any jobseekers that wish to accept a place on one of the ULearning Skillnet Level 9 courses.

Course Content Specialist Diploma Technology Commercialisation - Specialist Diploma Minor Award Level 9

This course will provide information and guidance to potential entrepreneurs and give Irish industry the business planning skills and knowledge needed to commercialise new technologies, products and services, and to secure project finance. Students will also undertake a project module which supports the learning modules in a more active manner and aids their understanding of the commercialisation options available to an identified venture.

The programme will enhance students' understanding of venture capital financing, along with business planning, business management, marketing and technology development. It is envisaged that this course will also allow participants the opportunity to expand their networks with individuals, companies and agencies involved in Technology Commercialisation.

The programme is offered over 12 months on a part-time basis. Students will have a formal assessment at the end of each semester and an in-company project to complete.

The following is a module outline for each 15 week semester:
Innovation and technology Transfer
Marketing Technology Products
Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Technology Finance and Capital
Project
The programme is delivered using a blended approach, that is, a combination of distance / online learning materials combined with face-to-face tutorials and seminars. The online element facilitates the learning in tandem with the distance-education, hardcopy materials and periodic classroom contact. Students will be required to attend seminars on average once per month. Seminars are organised on a rotating basis at either NUIG, UL, or UCC.

The blended approach contains the following elements:
Traditional distance education format
1.hardcopy course material, textbooks, course notes and reading lists
2.face-to-face study groups
3.expert seminars scheduled during each semester.
Online learning system available 24/7 containing
1.Module Content - module material in a downloadable format
2.Module Documents – study schedules, PowerPoint slides and case studies
3.Library – online catalogue searches, journal articles, electronic databases
4.Examination and Assessment: Sample Exam Papers, Assignments, Self Assessment Questions and Answers
5.E-Tutor support- available for each programme module.

Entry Requirements An undergraduate Degree 1st or 2nd Class Honours in any discipline + 1 year of relevant industrial experience; or

Ordinary or 3rd Class Honours Undergraduate Degree + 3 years of relevant industrial experience; or

Recognised Professional Qualification + 3 years of relevant industrial experience.

Further Enquiries ULearning Skillnet:
Phone: 086 0214825
Email: info@ulearning.ie
Learning Outcomes The Diploma in Technology Commercialisation aims to:
equip participants with state of the art reference material to support module topics such as innovation and technology transfer, marketing technology products, technology entrepreneurship and finance and capital;
assist participants to develop technology commercialisation activities within their organisation, realise the potential of innovation and gain a greater understanding of the commercialisation process.
Methods of Assessment The programme is offered over 12 months on a part-time basis. Students will have a formal assessment at the end of each semester and an in-company project to complete.
Trainer AUA (Atlantic University Alliance)
The Atlantic University Alliance (AUA), is a consortium of three Universities on the Atlantic coast of Ireland - NUI, Galway, the University of Limerick and University College Cork.
Location of Course Galway, Limerick, Cork
Course Web Page: 
http://www.aua.ie/content.asp?ID=69
Available to Job Seekers: 
Yes
Certified: 
Yes