TenU RISE: Building on the success of our first cohort
In 2024 we launched TenU RISE, our new mentoring programme for technology transfer professionals. In true TenU style, we are taking advantage of our global reach, with mentors from our TenU Future Leaders Programme alumni base being matched with mentees from across the sector.
The unique strengths of this programme are:
The bespoke matching process, ensuring alignment between the learning needs of mentees and the experience of mentors.
The emphasis on providing a learning partner in a new institution that participants may not otherwise have a connection with, offering scope for new networks and opportunities.
The focus on diversity, equity and inclusion by offering targeted support for underrepresented groups.
TenU believes that the support provided through mentoring is an effective way of addressing some of the challenges that the technology transfer sector faces in retention, development and advancement of top talent. We work to provide support, guidance and online tools to offer a streamlined and effective process for all participants.
But don’t just take it from us: we were delighted by the glowing feedback we received at the midpoint evaluation of our first cohort of Mentees:
100% of respondents reported that the mentoring had a positive impact.
100% of respondents felt empowered by mentoring.
86% rated the quality of the match highly.
We are pleased that our first cohort of Mentors and Mentees reflected our aims of supporting diversity within the sector, with 56% of participants female and the proportion of non-white participants 31% and 37% for mentees and mentors respectively. TenU is committed to supporting learning and development across as wide a reach as possible and the high share of 88% of mentees from organisations that are not part of the TenU network demonstrates that TenU RISE is of interest to the wider sector.
Participants have described the benefits as:
“Building knowledge, confidence and efficacy as a result of being able to explore ideas and get expert advice.”
“An opportunity to learn from an experienced TTO professional outside of my organisation to broaden my perspective.”
We continuously work to improve the quality of the programme and to deliver the best possible support to participants. This includes building a network of participating mentors and mentees, to amplify opportunities for learning and collaboration.
We will continue building on these successes and look forward to launching the second round of TenU RISE in early 2025.
