COMMERCIALISATION TRAINING SCHEME (CTS)
Overview and Purpose
The Australian Government through DEST have introduced the Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS). The purpose of this scheme is to fund Universities to provide specific training to Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students. The CTS aims to develop HDR student skills in research commercialisation and intellectual property management.
The intended outcomes of the Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS) are to:
- Provide an avenue for researchers to understand the commercial potential of research and appreciate the management of research activities in order to achieve commercial benefit.
- Equip researchers with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience necessary to effectively manage intellectual property and commercialise their research, inventions and innovations to the market.
- Enhance the career outcomes of HDR students.
- Provide a more highly skilled and valued research workforce for employers.
CTS Study Program
Victoria University will support HDR students by providing funding for CTS training. All CTS training will be provided via the Australian Technology Network (ATN). Units are offered exclusively online and provided over a 13 week semester. Students must complete four modules equivalent to 48 credit points to be eligible to graduate with the Graduate Certificate.
The course will commence in the first semester 2008.
Course Delivery Mode
The CTS program provides for the following:
- students interact with other students around the country, and develop teamwork skills through required assessment items
- teaching coordinated and provided by experienced academics in the provider universities who have considerable experience in online teaching in the designated content areas
- industry experts contribute to online discussion forums in each unit
Assessment
- Assessment is designed to include the development of teamwork skills
- most units involve three assessment items, including the extent and quality of contribution to online discussion. These are related in most instances to the student's own research project
- moderation across the five provider universities is by the Deans of Graduate Studies
Award
Following the successful completion of the program, a testamur is awarded to students by RMIT. A letter of completion from VU will be issued to students successfully completing the Graduate Certificate. The letter will also indicate that the student has been supported by VU's participation in the CTS.
Eligibility for the CTS Training Award
Applicants must:
- be enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR);
- be a domestic student, as defined under the Higher education sector Act;
- not have previously completed an equivalent training course.
Note: Students who fail to complete CTS training within 24 months from the date of commencement (plus any periods of suspension or approved leave) are ineligible to receive further support under the CTS program.
Where approved by the Victoria University CTS selection panel, a CTS awardee may be permitted to complete CTS training while his/her thesis is being examined, provided that no more than three months of full-time (or equivalent part-time study) is required to complete the CTS program.
Application Process
- Prior to submitting an application for a CTS training award, intending applicants must consult with their supervisor.
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Applicants must complete the CTS training award form addressing:
- career goals, utilisation of skills and experience gained through CTS training
- the relevance of your research topic to CTS training
- brief overview of relevant experience (if any) in commercialisation and/or related fields
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Applicants must provide:
- most recent Progress Report confirming satisfactory progress
- revised research timeline including Graduate Certificate studies
- Applications will be accepted and processed via the Office for Postgraduate Research.
- CTS training award applicants will be interviewed and ranked by the CTS selection panel.
- The final list of successful scholarship awardees will be jointly approved by VU's CTS selection panel and the course provider.
- Successful applicants will be notified by the Office for Postgraduate Research.
Application Deadline
Applications for CTS program are due by: Thursday, 15 November 2007
Priority will be given to:
- Postgraduate research students who intend to undertake the CTS training award program full-time (in 2008).
- Applicants who can demonstrate that they will have the best prospects of pursuing a career that will utilise the skills, knowledge and experience gained through CTS training
- Applicants whose progress in their research candidature will not be unduly compromised or adversely affected if they undertake CTS training
- Applicants wishing to maintain their HDR enrolment and undertake the course part-time (one unit per semester over two years) may also be considered.
Contact Us
Dr Michele Grossman
Acting Director of Graduate Research and Acting Head
Office for Postgraduate Research
Victoria University
Phone: +61 3 9919 5011 / 9919 4587
Fax: +61 3 9919 4559
E-mail: michele.grossman@vu.edu.au
