Faculty Debates 'Technology Transfer'

The Faculty yesterday discussed for the first time what role the University should play in the commercial development of scientific discoveries made at Harvard.

Noting that the government recently urged universities to take a more active role in transferring discoveries to the marketplace, President Bok said Harvard's participation in that process could be "a possible way of increasing funds available to the University--provided we can do so in a manner consistent with our academic purposes and goals."

Bok listed three ways in which the University could become more actively involved in the adaptation of discoveries for commercial use:

identify patentable ideas and make sure they are patented and developed;

participate in a joint agreement with a company that develops scientific discoveries;

or take part directly in the commercial development of a discovery made by a Harvard researcher and for which the University holds the patent.

Noting that the Faculty Council considered the issue at its last two meetings, Dean Rosovsky said, "I share the Faculty Council's concerns about the whole issue. It is not simple; it is very messy. It presents dangers."

But Rosovsky added that the University "would be wise" to continue looking into technology transfer partly because there is "no doubt of the need of the Faculty to develop alternative sources of income."

Although he said that participation in ventures to develop discoveries "will certainly not cure the financial problems" of the Faculty, Rosovsky added that he believes it would be irresponsible not to investigate the opportunities.