YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan, inaugural C. Judson King Endowed visiting professor at AUA, who is currently involved in the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer, and Dr. Davit Ghazaryan, adjunct faculty from the AUA Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (ACSE) have contributed to the Commercial Law Development Program’s (CLDP) Technology Transfer handbook, a comprehensive resource aimed at supporting the development of effective technology transfer (TT) ecosystems.
The handbook is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia. While the book has a Central Asia and Caucasus focus, the contents can be globally deployable across developing countries where CLDP operates. It is intended for individuals and institutions involved in innovation, research, and development, including those working in government, academia, and industry, and aims to provide an understanding of intellectual property (IP) and its role in supporting TT.
Written by a diverse group of intellectual property and TT practitioners, including government officials, scientists, public policy experts, IP owners, lawyers, and academics, the book reflects the authors’ collective professional experience and does not represent the official policy positions of the organizations or institutions with which the contributors are affiliated.
The handbook is structured into eight chapters covering the core components of IP and TT systems. The opening chapters address the benefits and fundamentals of TT, including key actors and their interactions, as well as the role of the innovation ecosystem and supporting infrastructure. Later chapters examine the operation of TT offices, innovation management and marketing, licensing agreements, and the role of start-ups in commercialization. The final chapter discusses current opportunities and challenges, including emerging trends such as artificial intelligence and digital platforms, while the appendix provides practical templates.
As part of the handbook, Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan also presented a case study on the establishment of AUA’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer.
“This recognition is not only about AUA, but also about Armenia’s growing community of innovators, researchers, and partners who believe in building a future driven by knowledge and collaboration. I am proud that our story can serve as a model for others in the region,” noted Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan, reflecting on the publication. “It is wonderful to see this important resource completed and ready to be shared with the broader community. Collaborating with such a dedicated group of intellectual property and tech transfer experts has been a wonderful experience.”
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.