On November 7 and 8, the IV Technical Conference of Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) and European Project Offices of the Canary Islands (EPOs) took place at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). This event, part of the European project EXPER (Excellent Peripheries for a Strong European Research Area) funded by the Horizon Europe program, aims to enhance knowledge transfer mechanisms and strengthen connections between research and the productive sector.
Thursday’s sessions focused on a dynamic and intensive workday where participants addressed key issues for knowledge transfer in the Canary Islands and Europe. Specialised technical working groups, facilitated by the ULPGC team, developed proposals to tackle challenges faced by KTOs and EPOs in peripheral universities and research institutes across the islands. Key issues discussed included sector professionalisation, talent retention, prevention of knowledge drain, and the visibility of research outputs.
Friday’s session took place at the Aula de Piedra in ULPGC’s institutional headquarters and was open to the public. The event began with a formal welcome from prominent figures, including Migdalia Machín Tavío, Minister of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture for the Canary Islands; Lluís Serra Majem, Rector of ULPGC; Sebastián López Suárez, Vice-Rector of Research and Knowledge Transfer at ULPGC, who also moderated the event; Antonio Aparicio Juan, Vice-Rector of Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of La Laguna (ULL); and Anselmo Sosa Méndez, Manager of the Office for Institutional Actions and Knowledge Transfer at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC).
A highlight of the conference was a presentation by María José Mariño Fontenla, Director of the Axencia Galega de Innovación, who shared best practices and knowledge transfer programs from Galicia, including the Oportunius Program for generating, retaining, and attracting research talent and the IGNICIA Program, which promotes the market application of R&D results. Her presentation provided inspiration and opened opportunities for collaboration between research ecosystems in the Canary Islands and Galicia.
The conference also included a panel discussion titled “The Future of Research and Knowledge Transfer in the Canary Islands: Keys and Strategies,” moderated by Sebastián López Suárez, with the participation of Elisa Rivera Mendoza, Director General of Planning, Coordination, and Knowledge Transfer from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities; Antonio Aparicio Juan from ULL; Alberto Ouro from RCD Legal; and Anselmo Sosa Méndez from IAC. This roundtable explored the challenges and opportunities for knowledge transfer in the Canary Islands and the role of universities in creating spin-offs and fostering innovation—fundamental aspects of the EXPER project.
In total, over 40 participants attended the sessions, representing KTOs from Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the University of La Laguna, and the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands. Through teamwork and various interventions, attendees identified current challenges and opportunities for improvement in managing knowledge transfer.
Organised by ULPGC as part of the EXPER project, these conferences have consolidated a space for reflection and collaboration, contributing to the strengthening of research and innovation in the Canary Islands archipelago. This aligns with European objectives to promote excellence and collaboration in peripheral regions.
