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Project Title

APEC Policy Exchange Workshop for Technology Commercialization Professional Dialogue

Project Year

2025

Project Number

PPSTI_106_2025A

Project Session

Session 1

Project Type

Standard

Project Status

Project in Implementation
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Project No.

PPSTI_106_2025A

Project Title

*
APEC Policy Exchange Workshop for Technology Commercialization Professional Dialogue

Project Status

Project in Implementation

Fund Account

*
APEC Support Fund

Sub-fund

ASF: Connectivity

Project Year

2025

Project Session

*
Session 1

APEC Funding

100,538

Co-funding Amount

25,200

Total Project Value

125,738

Sponsoring Forum

*
APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI)

Topics

Science and Technology; Digital Economy; Women's Economic Empowerment

Committee

SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)

Other Fora Involved

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

 

Proposing Economy(ies)

China

Co-Sponsoring Economies

Chile; Malaysia; Peru; Thailand

Expected Start Date

01/12/2025

Expected Completion Date

31/12/2026

Project Proponent Name 1

Yang Xiaofei TC

Job Title 1

Secretary General

Organization 1

Zhongguancun Technology Managers Association

Telephone 1

+8613601027569

Email 1

yangxiaofeiapec@163.com

Project Proponent Name 2

Not Applicable

Job Title 2

Not Applicable

Organization 2

Not Applicable

Telephone 2

Not Applicable

Email 2

Not Applicable

Declaration

Yang Xiaofei TC

Project Summary

With the increasing frequency of technological exchanges and cooperation within the APEC region, technology transfer professionals (TTPs) play a crucial role in facilitating technology commercialization and fostering innovation. This project will involve the collaboration of professional technology transfer institutions and industry associations across APEC economies to organize two workshops that address key challenges in voluntary technology transfer and commercialization on mutually agreed terms, not coerced. The first workshop will focus on a comparative analysis of technology transfer ecosystems, examining management practices, collaborative demands, and policy barriers across APEC economies. The second workshop will have a special focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale models on technology transfer processes and professional roles. Project deliverables include a Policy Research Report summarizing workshop insights, and an Initiative to formalize cooperation objectives and actionable pathways, strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable, voluntary technology transfer collaboration on mutually agreed terms.

Relevance

Region

APEC economies face varying levels of development in technology transfer(TT), with disparities in talent cultivation, knowledge dissemination, and measurable societal contributions. Few economies have dedicated support programs, and the absence of standardized assessment metrics makes it difficult to gauge the impact of TT efforts. This project seeks to bridge these gaps by facilitating mutual learning, fostering regional best practices, and strengthening technology transfer professionals (TTP) training. It will help establish structured, locally adapted TT frameworks while promoting a more inclusive policy environment. Additionally, the project will prepare TTPs to leverage AI and emerging technologies to enhance efficiency rather than be displaced by automation. Over time, this initiative will support sustained cooperation in voluntary TT capacity building on mutually agreed terms, encourage ongoing dialogue among economies, and generate annual progress reports to track advancements and further refine strategies,funding for the annual progress report will be covered by self-funding.


Eligibility and Fund Priorities

his project directly supports APEC’s capacity-building efforts by aligning with the ”APEC Connectivity Blueprint for 2015-2025“, particularly in “Institutional Connectivity” and “People-to-People Connectivity”. It strengthens the role of technology transfer professionals (TTPs) in developing economies, where fragmented innovation ecosystems and limited institutional support hinder technology commercialization. Aligning with Institutional Connectivity, the project addresses policy harmonization and voluntary knowledge exchange by equipping TTPs with best practices in management of voluntary technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, voluntary cross-border collaboration, and AI-driven innovation. Many TTPs in developing economies lack financial resources to participate in global dialogues, leading to unequal access to best practices and policy frameworks. By leveraging regional cooperation platform, this project enhances regulatory coherence in voluntary technology transfer and commercialization policies across member economies, based on mutually agreed terms.


Furthermore, the project supports “People-to-People Connectivity” by expanding voluntary international collaboration and fostering cross-border talent mobility in the technology transfer sector. It brings together TTPs, policymakers, and researchers from multiple APEC economies to develop voluntary and structured knowledge- sharing mechanisms and strengthen regional networks of technology professionals. Through targeted workshops and policy discussions, the initiative enhances TTP competencies, equipping them to accelerate technology commercialization (mutually agreed) and drive regional economic development.


The project promotes inclusive and sustainable growth by actively engaging women in technology transfer, including female TTPs and entrepreneurs have access to training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Aligning with APEC’s vision for sustainability, it integrates best practices for environmentally responsible technology management, reinforcing resilient and sustainable innovation-driven growth. By bridging economic disparities, enhancing cross-economy TTP networks, and ensuring diverse participation, this project contributes to APEC’s goal of fostering a connected, inclusive, and knowledge-based regional economy.


Capacity Building

This project supports APEC’s capacity-building goals by equipping participants with four key competencies essential for voluntary technology transfer (TT) on mutually agreed terms and innovation commercialization. Many developing APEC economies, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, still face gaps in structured TT frameworks, limiting their ability to effectively commercialize research and integrate innovation into economic development.


Strengthening professional expertise in voluntary TT on mutually agreed terms across APEC is crucial for fostering regional knowledge exchange and collaboration. Through targeted training and workshops, participants will develop the following core skills: strengthening talent development – Participants will gain expertise in building and managing TT teams, ensuring a well-trained workforce capable of supporting technology commercialization and policy implementation; Promoting Diverse Collaboration – The project will enhance participants’ ability to engage with interdisciplinary and cross-sector stakeholders, fostering a broader, more inclusive approach to voluntary TT on mutually agreed terms; enhancing partnerships and ecosystems – Training will focus on building sustainable TT networks, improving industry-academia collaboration, and creating stronger IP management strategies; and addressing challenges from AI and Large Models – Participants will explore AI- driven innovations in voluntary TT on mutually agreed terms, learning how to leverage digital tools and emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and adaptability in TT processes.


The technology transfer will be based on voluntary practices and not forced in nature,

and the terms of the transfer are mutually agreed upon by all parties and therefore not coerced.

Objectives

The project aims to foster cross-border collaboration in open science and digital innovation among APEC member economies. This project aims to enhance the capabilities of technology transfer professionals by focusing on four key objectives: strengthening talent development, promoting diverse collaboration, enhancing partnerships and ecosystems, and addressing challenges from AI and large models. By empowering stakeholders across APEC economies, the project seeks to co-create solutions for common challenges, contributing to inclusive growth and resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.

Alignment

APEC

This project aligns closely with APEC’s strategic vision by advancing technology transfer professionals’ expertise and fostering collaboration across economies.


Supporting the Putrajaya Vision 2040, which calls for “an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040”, this project promotes digitalization and innovation by equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills to bridge technological gaps and drive sustainable economic development. In line with the Lima Roadmap (2025-2040), which seeks to “facilitate the transition of economic actors from the informal to the formal economy”, this project supports cross-sectoral coordination and integrates TTPs into international value chains. By promoting technology transfer policies that align with global standards. Additionally, the project builds on APEC’s commitment to open collaboration, as emphasized in various ministerial statements, which underscore the need to “expand training opportunities, strengthen institutional partnerships, and enhance knowledge-sharing mechanisms”, based on voluntary participation and contributions. Through structured workshops, voluntary cross-border

knowledge exchange, and AI-driven policy discussions, this initiative translates high- level APEC commitments into actionable capacity-building efforts.


This project aligns closely with APEC’s strategic vision by advancing technology transfer professionals’ expertise and fostering collaboration across economies.


Supporting the Putrajaya Vision 2040, which calls for “an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040”, this project promotes digitalization and innovation by equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills to bridge technological gaps and drive sustainable economic development. In line with the Lima Roadmap (2025-2040), which seeks to “facilitate the transition of economic actors from the informal to the formal economy”, this project supports cross-sectoral coordination and integrates TTPs into international value chains. By promoting technology transfer policies that align with global standards. Additionally, the project builds on APEC’s commitment to open collaboration, as emphasized in various ministerial statements, which underscore the need to “expand training opportunities, strengthen institutional partnerships, and enhance knowledge-sharing mechanisms”, based on voluntary participation and contributions. Through structured workshops, voluntary cross-border

knowledge exchange, and AI-driven policy discussions, this initiative translates high- level APEC commitments into actionable capacity-building efforts.


Forum

This project aligns with APEC's Policy Partnership on Science, Technology, and Innovation (PPSTI) by emphasizing the critical role of technology transfer professionals (TTPs) in translating scientific advancements into tangible societal and economic benefits. In line with PPSTI’s mission to “support the development of science and technology cooperation as well as effective science, technology, and innovation policy recommendations in APEC”, this project enhances TTP capabilities through targeted capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, the project supports PPSTI’s strategic priorities by advancing “open science, digitalization, and sustainable innovation” as outlined in its policy agenda. Through structured training programs, voluntary cross-border collaboration, and AI-driven strategies for technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, the project empowers TTPs to bridge the gap between research and commercialization more effectively. By expanding voluntary professional networks and strengthening voluntary institutional partnerships, this initiative directly contributes to inclusive growth and technological resilience across APEC economies, reinforcing PPSTI’s goal of “advancing innovative, strong, and inclusive growth by strengthening STI capacities and cooperation”.

Beneficiaries and Outputs

Output


1) Basis Study on Technology Commercialisation Ecosystems

The project will conduct foundational research into technology commercialisation ecosystems, focusing on the current state of technology transfer practices and the key challenges and sustainable technology commercialisation needs of APEC economies. The research will primarily employ online questionnaires, supplemented by a review of relevant literature within the APEC region. The target respondents are practitioners from technology transfer organisations and technology managers from small and medium-sized enterprises within APEC economies. Selection criteria will prioritise economic representation and sectoral coverage to ensure that the outcomes of the research align with the practical requirements of regional collaboration. Findings will inform the first draft o the Handbook of Technology Commercialisation Professionals Capacity Building and Promotion and shape subsequent workshop agendas.


2) Workshop 1 (Self-Funded)

Workshop1（1 Day）

09:00–09:30 Welcome Remarks and Opening Address (Project Organisers

+ Host Economy Representatives)

09:30–10:15 Keynote Speech: Current Status and Future Trends of Technology Commercialisation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

10:15–12:30 Case Studies: Diverse Practices in Technology Transfer Among APEC Member Economies

14:30–16:45 Roundtable Discussion: Policy Barriers and Regulatory Challenges in Voluntary Technology Transfer

16:45–17:00 Summary Remarks


2) Workshop 2 (APEC-Funded)

Workshop（1 Day）

09:00–09:30 Welcome Address and Review Session: Core experts will be invited as special guests to deliver addresses, supplementing the key outcomes of the inaugural workshop with insights from their own practice and identifying critical topics for further exploration.

09:30–10:15 Keynote Address Session: Led by 2–3 leading industry experts, focusing on core directions such as technology commercialisation trends within the APEC region and sustainable technology transfer practices.

10:15–11:30 Case Study Session: Experts will critique cross-economy case studies, guiding participants to identify common requirements for technology transfer capacity building and fostering consensus.

13:30–15:00 Roundtable Discussion: Experts will exchange views on application scenarios, challenges, and opportunities for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, offering practical implementation strategies based on operational experience.

15:00–16:30 Specialised Workshop: Experts will address core issues in the Handbook's development, propose revisions tailored to regional realities, and build professional consensus.

16:30–17:00 Concluding Remarks: PO summarises the day's discussions, clarifies directions for refining the Handbook and subsequent implementation measures, and outlines prospects for regional collaboration in technology commercialisation.


3) Publication: Handfbook of Technology Commercialisation Professionals Capacity Building and Promotion (the Handbook - APEC Publication)

Following the conclusion of the second workshop, the PO will start to compile the Handbook of Technical Commercialization Professional Talent Capacity Building and Promotion. The report will broadly comprise the following three parts:

Part One: Introduction;

Part Two: Synthesis of expert perspectives and case studies; Part Three: Project research findings

Part Four: Technical Manager Capacity Building

The report must be minimum 15 pages, excluding annexes. The report will systematically summarise the key results of the workshops, with a focus on standard operating procedures within the voluntary technology commercialisation framework, principles for policy coordination among economies. Once finalised, the handbook will be submitted to the Secretariat and made available to member economies as a guidance

document, providing technology commercialisation professionals with a standardised reference framework.


Outcome

1) Enhancing the understanding of technology commercialization among professionals in the APEC region:

This project will foster a shared understanding among APEC economies of the core principles and methodologies of voluntary technology commercialization, and eliminate cognitive disparities in policies and practices through dialogue. The knowledge-sharing platform established by the workshop will provide numerous excellent practice cases for member economies, enabling participants to systematically master the collaborative paradigm of technology commercialization based on mutual consent, and lay the foundation for building a common cognitive system for technology value transformation in the Asia-Pacific region.


2) Strengthen the implementation of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence:

Nowadays, artificial intelligence and other breakthrough technologies are accelerating the transformation of global innovation. In the field of technology commercialization, new tools such as AI can significantly shorten the technology conversion cycle. In light of this efficiency revolution, it is crucial for technology managers to familiarize themselves with the application of AI tools. This project will explore this through workshops, cultivating participants' strategic capabilities to transform emerging technologies into commercial tools. This will ensure that technological innovation serves the fair and sustainable development interests of APEC member

economies while strictly adhering to the principle of 'mutual voluntariness', ultimately achieving a substantial leap in the efficiency of technology commercialization.


3) Building a collaborative network of professionals and professional institutions:

The project will promote the increased willingness of the member econoies to collaborate and coordinate on technology transfer and commercialisation., enabling efficient multilateral cooperation and knowledge exchange. Member economies will enhance the level of industry-academia-research collaboration through the dialogue platform established by the project, forming a sustainable mechanism for technology commercialization collaboration. This network will serve as the vehicle for achieving APEC's goal of “institutional connectivity,” providing a multilateral trust-based exchange platform for voluntary technology transfer.


Beneficiaries

Participants in this project will be selected based on their professional expertise in science, technology and innovation (STI) in APEC's developing economies. Priority will be given to core decision-makers who are directly involved in STI policy formulation and implementation within government agencies, research institutions and industry associations. Through customized workshops and collaborative networks, the project aims to enhance the capacity of both developed and developing economies to drive innovation and economic growth simultaneously.


Beneficiary Description

  1. Primary Beneficiaries: Direct participants in project activities, including professionals from university technology commercialisation centres, research institutions, innovative enterprises, technology investment organisations, and technology commercialisation service providers, alongside government officials and academics attending workshops and training programmes. All personnel will receive systematic capacity-building support through direct engagement.


  1. Secondary Beneficiaries: Stakeholders not directly involved in project activities, such as technology commercialisation practitioners outside the project, small and medium- sized innovative enterprises, and relevant institutions across APEC economies. They will benefit indirectly through project deliverables (including published Handbook with capacity-building guidelines).


Policy Makers

Government officials from specific departments within APEC economies—such as science and technology ministries, intellectual property offices, and trade and investment promotion agencies (ideally holding positions as department heads or policy formulation specialists)—will gain in-depth understanding of optimising mutuallyagreed voluntary technology commercialisation processes. This will empower them to design targeted policies providing financial and regulatory support for AI- assisted voluntary technology commercialisation, while exploring best practices for establishing innovation-friendly legal and policy frameworks.


Researchers and Academics

University professors and research specialists focusing on technology commercialisation management, intellectual property operations, science and technology innovation policy, or AI-enabled technological transformation will develop effective teaching methodologies for AI-assisted technology commercialisation practices. This will help cultivate future technology managers and bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. They will also learn to utilise AI tools to evaluate and optimise technology commercialisation workflows.


Technology Commercialization Professionals : TCPs will acquire practical strategies to leverage AI in technology scouting, intellectual property management, and commercialization. The program will help them connect with AI-driven platforms, optimize deal negotiations, and improve cross-border collaboration in voluntary technology licensing and transfer on mutually agreed terms.

Dissemination

The key output of this technology manager project is the Handbook of Technology Commercialization Professionals Capacity Building and Promotion, which will be developed during the project's initial phase and refined continuously through its implementation and will be an APEC Publication. The handbook will integrate typical cases collected during the project's two workshops, issues encountered during implementation, and suggestions provided by participants.


Once all project activities have concluded, the final version of the handbook including selected case studies on voluntary technology commercialization, operational capacity-building guidelines and recommendations, will be submitted to the APEC Secretariat for review and electronic publication in accordance with APEC's publication guidelines. No printed paper version is planned.


The primary audience for this initiative includes various stakeholders in innovation within the region, such as research institutions, innovative enterprises, technology transfer organizations and investors.


Any outcomes generated by this project are not intended for sale. No website or database requiring long-term maintenance will be created.

Gender

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Work Plan

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Risks

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Linkages

To enhance the project's impact and foster comprehensive collaboration, we will engage a diverse array of stakeholders:


Non-APEC Economies: Inviting experts from non-APEC economies to share best practices will enrich discussions and promote global perspectives.


Government Agencies: Collaborating with different levels of domestic government bodies ensures alignment with public policies and facilitates the implementation of project outcomes.


Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Universities: Partnering with NGOs and academic institutions provides community insights and research support, enhancing the project's relevance and effectiveness.


Other APEC Groups: Engaging with various APEC fora promotes cross-fora collaboration, ensuring that the project complements existing initiatives without duplication.


Given the inherently diverse roles of technology transfer professionals—who may be affiliated with universities, research institutions, investment entities, or other sectors

—the project naturally incorporates multiple perspectives and expertise. This diversity enriches the collaborative process, leading to more robust and innovative outcomes.

Sustainability

Sustainability is built into the project design to ensure continued impact beyond the APEC funding period. The final handbook will present practical policy recommendations, tools, and case studies that member economies can adopt or adapt to their local needs. It will be published electronically and shared through APEC platforms and local partner networks. Relevant APEC fora such as PPWE, PPSTI, and TELWG may build on the handbook in future activities, including capacity-building events or pilot programs. Economies that show strong interest will be encouraged to lead or co-sponsor related projects in upcoming sessions.


After project completion, the Handbook and training materials will remain accessible online. This will allow economies and partners to continue using and adapting the content independently, supporting long-term replication and scaling with minimal additional funding.

Direct Labour

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Are there any supporting document attached?

Yes
Project No.
Project Title
Project Status
Fund Account
Sub-fund
Project Year
Project Session
APEC Funding
Co-funding Amount
Total Project Value
Sponsoring Forum
Topics
Committee
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Expected Start Date
Expected Completion Date
Project Proponent Name 1
Job Title 1
Organization 1
Telephone 1
Email 1
Project Proponent Name 2
Job Title 2
Organization 2
Telephone 2
Email 2
Declaration
Project Summary
Relevance
Objectives
Alignment
Beneficiaries and Outputs
Dissemination
Gender
Work Plan
Risks
Monitoring and Evaluation
Linkages
Sustainability
Direct Labour
Are there any supporting document attached?
hdFldAdmin
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