Patenting in the UNAM´s Research Centers considering its knowledge profile

One important actor in the conversion process of scientific knowledge into Technology are Universities Research Centers, RC, which are engaged in scientific research (Sc), technology development (Tech), technical services (S), and teaching activities (t). The products of these activities are the publication of “papers”, graduation of people, -mainly masters and PhDs-, services and patents which are part of Technology Development and Technology Transfer to industry. The mix of those functional activities and products defines the RC´s profile. The paper´s focuses on how patents are related with the Mexico National University (UNAM) RCs profile. The statistical analysis shows no direct effect of technology intensity with patenting. There is no sustained increase in UNAM patenting for the period 1975-2007, but two maximum peaks of applications appeared in 1989 and in 2002 which are triggered by a variety of internal and external events. One explanation of this pattern is Technology Transfer Offices at the UNAM which have moved forward and backwards from centralized agency into a more flexible and diverse organization at research centers, showing a lack of a proactive university policy on patenting and technology transfer. An overlapping policy of the disciplinary UNAM´s RCs structure with entrepreneurial attitudes could provide a better dynamic for applied science and technology, and will give a positive impact on technology transfer.