The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs visited DTU yesterday as part of the government's information campaign leading up to the patent court referendum. The visit gave him a glimpse of the innovation that flows out of DTU's laboratories.
The minister was received by DTU's President, Anders Bjarklev, and Marianne Thellersen, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, when he visited DTU on 10 April 2014.
He was shown a small portion of the innovation that flows out of DTU's laboratories for nanomedicine and photonics. The minister also gained insight into two student start-ups—Eupry, which develops temperature meters for vaccines, and Vaavud, inventors of a mobile anemometer.
People and products in practice
The visit was part of the government's information campaign leading up to the 25 May referendum, where Danes will vote on whether Denmark should participate in a new European patent reform.
"When you sit in parliament each day discussing political and theoretical issues, it's great to get out and see real people and products in practice. Our goal is on 25 May to make it easier for young people and researchers—like the ones I met today—to take out patents for their products. It's specifically about creating jobs," said Martin Lidegaard.
Denmark one of the most innovative countries in Europe
The visit to DTU by the Foreign Minister helps bring focus to the strong Danish research environment and the public-private partnerships which help make Denmark one of the most innovative countries in Europe.
DTU works with many Danish companies and other public institutions to develop new products and technologies.
As part of this process, patents are applied for which Danish companies then take over and commercialize. In 2013 alone, researchers and students at DTU created 19 new companies—double the number for 2012. DTU President Anders Bjarklev believes this helps create growth which benefits Denmark:
Many young people want to start their own company
"We are currently witnessing a great desire among students to make it on their own steam. When I ask the young people on DTU's freshers' trips how many are thinking of starting their own company, one third to half raise their hands. If the universities manage to support them in this goal, I believe we have good basis for creating not only engineering jobs, but 100,000 jobs for a wide variety of professions. That is my dream."