The workshop “FabLabs and LivingLabs as engines of technology transfer at the university” brought together representatives from the entire university community
In order to learn in detail about the concept of FabLab and LivingLab and their potential as a technology transfer tool in universities, the Scientific, Technological and Business Park of the Universitat Jaume I, Espaitec, has held an informative workshop focused on case studies and projects developed on the Riu Sec Campus. The event included the participation of the vice-rector for Research and Doctoral Studies, Jesús Lancis; the vice-rector for Students, Employment and Educational Innovation, Pilar García, and the general director of Financing and European Funds of the Generalitat Valenciana, Miriam Fernández.
During the first part of the workshop, models of Fab Labs and Living Labs launched in neighboring universities such as the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia or the Polytechnic University of Valencia were presented. In this part of the workshop, the importance of involving the entire university community in the technology transfer process, not only the research staff, was highlighted.
The reference models presented at the conference aim to convert the university campus into a space for innovation and transfer. For this, spaces such as FabLabs and LivingLabs are used. The former are conceived as places where teachers, students and researchers collaborate to manufacture rapid prototypes that can have a direct impact on society. The latter are presented as spaces to test prototypes, always attending to society's demand and real market needs.
During the second part of the workshop, presentations were made by the university group. Projects developed under the basic principles of FabLabs and LivingLabs that are currently being carried out at the Universitat Jaume I by students, professors, research groups and student associations of the Castellón university.
