Manifestos of candidates

Veronica Lutalo Nabbosa

I possess years of experience in Business Management research and teaching as well as hands on entrepreneurship. I have been Chair for the Marie Curie Alumni Association Austrian Chapter hence I am well conversant with the policies and procedures. 

I would like to engage researchers into optimising their potential by looking beyond the academic career and actively consider the Business direction as well. As we are all aware, there are more PhDs produced every year, a number that doesn't match their demand into the academic career. Researchers should start embracing other alternatives such as self employment, partnerships, collaborations, etc. with the Business Community, tap into the support offered by the public both at National and EU level. I have followed this path and happy with it. I would like to encourage others too instead of having many career gaps as they wait for the next funded project which is not always available or even when available, it's not easy to get due to high competition. 

SAIKAT MUKHERJEE

I am currently working as Activity Task Force Leader of Bridging Science and Business group. I had been associated with BSB WG Group since last 2 years. As a Chair of the BSB WG group, I would like to devote my time in diverse outreach activities of BSB WG involving arranging monthly webinars, arranging for yearly conference and organize the  "Researchers meet Innovators" event. I will be actively involved in the policy making of BSB WG in consultation with the other members of my group and Marie Curie Alumni Association. I will encourage the active coordination between academicians and Industry by organizing regular interaction session through webinars and question/answer sessions involving participation from research Institutes and start up companies from diverse geographical regions including underpriviledged countries. Through the regular programmes, BSB WG will identify  the active and potent collaborators and recommend such activities to  Marie curie Alumni Association for further support and advice.

Payam Ansari

I am currently a MSCA fellow at Dublin City University, as well as serving as the Vice-Chair of the MCAA Ireland Chapter. Academically, I have a background in Industrial Engineering, an MBA with a major in Entrepreneurship, a PhD in Sport Management also majoring in Entrepreneurship, and I’m currently researching commercial development in women’s football, focusing particularly on fan engagement. Professionally, my experiences span various sectors, from biopharmaceuticals to sports industry. I have also had entrepreneurial experiences; I found a startup as part of my PhD project.
I firmly believe that my blend of academic knowledge, practical industry experience, and startup insights places me in an excellent position to contribute significantly to the development of the BSB WG. I envisage leveraging my expertise to organise engaging events, informative talks, training sessions, and interactive meetings that bridge the gap between academia and industry, ultimately benefiting our members’ career and personal development.
My network is another asset that I plan to utilise extensively. Having studied and worked in the South East Asia region for more than a decade, and through my secondments and visits across European academic institutions and industry sectors, I have built a robust and diverse network. As a member of the Irish Institute of Digital Business (IIDB) with branches worldwide, I am poised to leverage this network for initiatives ranging from guest talks and knowledge-sharing sessions to training and collaborative meetings, for those who would like to transition between academia and industry and vice versa.
Lastly, I am deeply committed to helping the BSB WG contribute to local, national, and international forums, aligning with both the goals of our group and the broader MCAA. Our planned event with the IIDB in September this year, focused on bridging academia and industry, serves as a tangible example of such contributions.
 

Murat Gunes

The "Bridging Science and Business" working group (BSB WG) within the MCAA is a dynamic and proactive group that aims to establish connections and collaborations between the worlds of science and business. I can certainly understand the importance of such initiatives.

The aims and objectives of the BSB WG are focused on bringing together researchers and business professionals, sharing knowledge, participating in bridging initiatives, and helping MCAA members gain more knowledge about career transition.I have a background and experience that make me a promising candidate for the Chair position of the BSB WG.

I have been actively involved in the MCAA and the BSB WG, organizing various events and demonstrating a long-standing commitment to bridging the gap between science and business. My experience includes being invited to EU conferences, which further highlights my expertise and recognition in the field.My knowledge of the group's objectives, aims, and activities, as well as my efforts to establish connections between research and business, demonstrate my dedication to furthering the mission of the BSB WG.

The strategies to make the BSB WG more active are as follows:

1-Encourage active participation in online forums, discussion boards, or specialized platforms where members may share ideas, ask questions, and cooperate on projects to improve communication and engagement.
2-Diversify Activities by providing a variety of activities to accommodate the group's various interests and preferences.Encourage members to work on collaborative projects and make efforts to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
3-Call for experts to provide training and make professional training available to provide a smooth transfer from academia to industry and vice versa.
4-Continue to host events like Researchers Meet Innovators.
5-The launch of a new event named Researchers Meet Industry Leaders, which aims to connect industry representatives with researchers in their sector.