1. The Opportunities and Challenges of International Scientific/Educational Exchanges: A few examples from U of Minn – Norway exchanges in biotechnology

2. Exchange Overview U of M has exchange agreements with several Norwegian Univ Multiple U of M colleges involved Multiple levels – student, post-doc, faculty/researchers Student numbers, to and from Norway, still small in all categories Research exchanges beyond existing formal agreements

3. Research “Exchanges” and Lessons Current examples –NTNU/SINTEF Biotech Inst/CBS, UM –AKVAFORSK/NIFES, Ås CBS/Med, UM –Norway Ministry of Health State of Mn Developing examples –Ag Univ of Norway, Ås IREE/Ag, UM

4. NTNU/SINTEF BTI/CBS,UM Began 2000 Applied biotech research Bioproduction of lysine from methanol Norwegian Research Council funded Planned student/post doc exchange Challenges for proprietary ownership/institutional differences

5. AKVAFORSK/NIFES,Ås CBS/Med Began formally 2004 Built on earlier grad student exchange and interactions at scientific meeting in Norway Basic research with potential application Norwegian Research Council funded UM contribution: consultation, training venue

6. Norway Health Ministry MN State Began 1998 Minnesota companies have clinical trials in Norway Built on biomed device strengths, need for patient base Up to three companies/products now on market Basis for new initiative in neurobiology area (MedEdge Conf 2004)

7. Ag Univ of Norway, Ås IREE/Ag,UM Began 2004 Project part of The Norwegian Research & Technology Forum in the U.S. / Canada: The Environmental Impact of Agriculture and Energy Use – 2003,2004 workshops Basic/applied research on: Microwave Pyrolysis – Biomass Conversion and Waste Treatment for the Future Builds on research strengths in both institutions Will involve faculty and, perhaps, grad student exchanges Overall vision: Catalyze the formation of “dream teams” who will conduct breakthrough research to provide sustainable solutions within biomass/bioenergy and functional genomics

8. Lessons/Directions Build on mutual scientific strengths and research interests Look for areas with applied potential Cooperate on funding/in-kind support Include student component, e.g. grad students Deal up front with “institutional” differences, e.g. intellectual property