Driving Academic Spin-off by Software Development Process: A Case Study in Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte - Brazil

摘要

This paper presents, as a case study, the experience of Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN) in using software process, as a means to create institutional ambience for technological innovation and new start-ups formation. As a professional qualification institution, IFRN has succeeded during its century-old existence in providing good job opportunities for its students. However, the same educational model has proved not to be as adequate to give the students the same opportunity to run their own businesses. Having this in mind, significant institutional arrangements and curriculum innovations were made, mainly related to software development disciplines, in order to support the gradual transition of academic requirements (e.g. knowledge acquisition and best practices) into business and more market-oriented ones. This paper reports this trajectory, the main lessons learned, and the new challenges ahead.