Kiatt is a group of technological and scientific-based companies supported by businessmen and industrialists and directed by Manuel Fuertes. In addition to being president of the Kiatt Group, Fuertes is the general director for Spain of Oxford University Innovation. Today we spoke with him about science, technology and education in our country.
What is the state of health of science and technology in Spain?
If you ask me about the health of research in science and technology, the diagnosis is more or less positive; If you ask me about the use we make of this research in Spain, then we must admit that we have a problem. In Spain, a lot of research is done, and good research is done, but it is not economically profitable. The percentage of investment in research that is profitable does not reach 1%.
What do you think are the great challenges of national science and technology?
Following up on my previous statement, the great challenge is the transfer of that scientific and technological research, which is the only way for a country to build an economic model based on knowledge. In Spain we can only be competitive if our products have technology resulting from our research. If not, we will have to compete by producing cheaper goods, with the social consequences that this entails, or we will be forced to manufacture products with technology from other countries, for which we have to pay. We will not be competitive if we have to pay other countries to use their technology, while here we continue to publish our methodologies instead of patenting and commercializing.
What do we depend on in order to be able to reverse the situation?
It depends on a common commitment, the support of institutions, and a cultural change in the sector that leads us to protect these research results before publishing them. We have to support scientists to seek prestige, not only in laboratories, but also in the business world. We must encourage having a large pool of well-prepared scientists, with an understanding of commercial science, and why not, who accumulate great wealth thanks to the effort of their work. At Kiatt we like the scientist to get rich, that has a great appeal effect for other scientists who want to work with us and also create social and economic benefits in their environment.
Do you think that Spanish scientists/researchers have the sufficient commercial vision?
It is logical that the goal of a scientist is to demonstrate their theory, but this should not be at odds with achieving financial profitability from their research. In Spain it is more or less normal for a scientist to spend their life depending on subsidies and scholarships from the administrations to carry out research whose results later end up published or simply kept in a drawer. However, it seems that it is not well regarded that a scientist also wants to get rich from their innovation, for them to also become entrepreneurs and live well thanks to their work, even if that means reinvesting their profits in more research.
Do you think it is fair to measure a country’s innovative capacity in terms of patents?
Not only patents guarantee innovation, nor can it be measured only in terms of patents. Patents alone are worthless; the quality of them and the commercial use given to them, yes. Furthermore, without patenting you can also advance in some cases, you can build a company with well-protected industrial secrets and know-how. The innovation metric is much more complex than simple patents, but a great lack of it does give you an indication that something is happening.
What type of changes/measures would Spain need to build a ‘knowledge economy’?
The agreement signed between Ciudadanos and PP for the investiture includes several points to promote research and to achieve an economic model based increasingly on knowledge. Now all you need is the will to get it started. Mainly, we must take very seriously that the science that comes from well-designed research, together with companies, entails enormous economic and social benefits for the country and for that, institutions have to know how to support these projects and integrate them within the industrial and business fabric of the country.
Lastly, do you think the current university system is up to par?
At Kiatt we are dedicated to turning scientific findings resulting from research into products or services. And that is what is needed: that bridge between those who investigate and the business world. Universities have important and renowned research centres, but there is a lack of connection with the business world so that this research can be converted into products, with high technological and internationally competitive value.
