University boosts transfer of innovation in Hamburg

Discussions at the Captain's Table were held under the theme of 'Innovation transfer:creating, sharing, exchanging and applying knowledge': "We do excellent basic research at the university.

Frost, who has been Vice President for Transfer and Equality at the University of Hamburg since October 2020, asked: "How can the knowledge acquired help pave the way for start-ups? And what boosts the exchange of knowledge?" 

The Transfer Agency's leitmotif  of "Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future" centres on four key divisions: Innovation and Foundation, Education and Qualification, Social Engagement and Co-creative Research.

Frost pointed out: "Co-creative research involves from the very start those who will ultimately use the research." That means non-academic stakeholders in society, politics, industry or management. However, scientists and interested parties must come together to make this happen. "We are presently setting thematic priorities to ease matchmaking and to raise the visibility of scientists who are passionate about their particular field," said Dr Bakr Fadl, Managing Director of the Transfer Agency.

The best practice "Health Kiosk Billstedt" exemplifies science's provision of real added value for the population, according to Frost. Analyses had revealed a shortage of doctors and medical advice services in the districts of Billstedt and Horn. As a result, more and more people were attending A+E units in hospitals. Health expenditure soared owing to a lack of long-term solutions. As part of the INVEST Billstedt/Horn project, a low-threshold offer was created in the form of the so-called health kiosk. Patients receive advice there on all kinds of health issues in different languages as well as help with problems such as obesity.

The Hamburg Center for Health Economics at the University of Hamburg had lent its support to the project. After 18 months of evaluation, a positive trend is emerging. People are now more aware of and actively use the health services, doctors in private practices are relieved and the rate of hospital admissions is falling. These positive results could now lead to similar low-threshold services in standard care. Thus, the scientifically-initiated prototype in Hamburg may yet become a model for other cities and regions. 

ys/kk/pb