Technology transfer through industry-University-government collaboration

Abstract: This study examines technology transfer through collaboration between Government, industry and Universities. The Metal Casting Technology Station at the University of Johannesburg (MCTS-UJ) has been a reputed Technology Station and center of excellence for trouble shooting foundry problems and conducting research in South African foundries. The Department of Science and Technology in South Africa funds the Technology Stations Programme (TSP) through the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). There are eighteen technology stations across the country at various universities and three of these focus in supporting the foundry industry. The mandate of the Technology Station is to develop human capital and support localization through technology and skills transfer. In this paper we discuss two case studies one on human capital development and the other on localization of technology with a partner university in Germany and a local manufacturer in South Africa. Both projects, Research and Innovation in Foundry Technology (RIFT) and inorganic binders for environmental friendly moulding material has benefited graduate students in acquiring the necessary skills and industry with new technology through the use of inorganic binders for environmental friendly moulding material which helped to reduce toxic fumes while mould making. This is an innovative idea used while mould making through MCTS-University of Johannesburg and Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany collaboration