Overview of UIC Technology Centers
Ralph Pini
Associate Dean, Corporate Relations
College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
rpini@uic.edu
New Initiatives
Technology Centers
Bring in short term applied research projects to UIC
Faculty Consulting Services
Offer consulting services to local industry
UIC Technology Services Center
Is an outreach program created through
the UIC College of Engineering, which
provides a single point of contact offering
technology, applied research, and
resource support services
to businesses looking to
complement their
development needs.
The UIC technology Center
provides cost-effective and
high-level expertise that can
be rapidly deployed in many of the
different areas of the engineering spectrum.
Idea 1: Technology Centers

The College of Engineering at UIC creates the Technology
Center outreach initiative in 2007 as a pilot program with
approval from the Board of Trustees

UIC Uniquely located in the heart of Chicago to provide
this service

Great program to complement traditional research work by
emphasizing shorter goal objectives.

Can be used as a resource by local companies and
government agencies
Key components of the program include

Access to world-renowned faculty

A pool of talented graduate students specially
selected for this program

Advanced university facilities such as laboratories,
instrumentation and information technology
infrastructure

Customized consulting services, including technical
consulting, research and development advice
including technical expertise in legal matters

Services provided on site at a company’s facilities or
on the UIC campus
Technology Centers

Win for Industry
 Complement outsourcing needs by using local engineering
expertise in a cost effective way
 Create a pipe line of future hires and pre-train, pre-screen before
full time employment
 UIC is uniquely positioned to provide interdisciplinary support

Win for Students
 Provide alternate source of financial support for students
 Provide Co-Op Experience locally at UIC
 Prepare them for future employment

Win for UIC and College of Engineering
 Improved relations between College of Engineering and industry
 Brand builder and better prepare students for a very competitive
market
Technology Services Brochure

Developed a brochure outlining Technology Services

Listing of faculty and technical areas of expertise

Listing of equipment and facilities

Grouping of faculty by departments
Legal Agreements

Legal agreement between UIC Board of Trustees and
company
Done

Non Disclosure agreements between UIC and Company
Done

Agreements between UIC and Faculty, Graduate Students
and Post Doctoral
Done

Non-Compete Document between COE and Faculty
Done
Tech Center Agreement

Faculty can complement their existing consulting services with
services provided as part of the Tech Center – Can only work a
total one day a week on these activities, limit 52 days/year

Graduate students limited to 20 hrs/week during Fall and Spring
Semester, 40hrs/wk + during Summer

Authorized to use University Facilities such as labs, computers,
software as part of these consulting projects

Any NEW intellectual property that is developed as part of the
consulting will be owned by company/customer - not UIC

Any past IP that UIC faculty have developed prior to consulting
project will remain owned by UIC

Company can license the past IP under existing OVCR terms

All faculty and students will sign Non-Disclosure Agreements
Financial Statement

Program was officially approved by UI Board of Trustees on
March 13, 2007

Companies Involved:

Around 20 students are active in this Program
Typical Cost for a Project during a Semester


One graduate student hired as
50% GA = $35/hour X 17 weeks X 20 hours/week
= $11,900
Faculty $150/hour X 17 weeks X 2 hours per week
= $5,100

Includes overhead, benefits

TOTAL = $17,000
Summary

This is a unique program being offered by UIC to help
local companies address short term engineering
projects

Great value and ability to develop a pipeline of talent
to meet future full time needs

High level skills (Graduate Students) offered for these
services