EUA Webinar - The Role of Universities in Regional Innovation - 26 October 2016
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The document outlines the role of universities in advancing regional innovation through strategies like Smart Specialisation (RIS3). It emphasizes the necessity of higher education institutions (HEIs) as vital stakeholders in regional development, particularly in fostering collaboration and addressing societal challenges. The findings indicate that effective cooperation, strategic funding, and the development of human talent are crucial for enhancing innovation capabilities in Europe.
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EUA Webinar - The Role of Universities in Regional Innovation - 26 October 2016
- 1. EUA webinar The Role of Universities in Regional Innovation: The Case of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) 26 October 2016 Brussels, Belgium
- 2. Overview • Introduction • The role of Higher Education Institutions in Regional Innovation •The Challenge • Relevance of Higher Education Institutions • EUA policy and activities • Discussion
- 3. The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Regional Innovation Peter Haring Bolívar [email protected] Vicerector Research, University of Siegen, Germany RIS3 strategy group speaker EUA / member HRK SDG ESIF delegate of the EUA 3
- 4. HEI and regional systems of innovation Contents I. Challenge II. Innovation III. HEI role IV. Quid nunc
- 6. … emerging economies will increase x5 … 19 of the 30 largest economies will be from the emerging world. … marked decline in the economic and political might of many small population, ageing, rich economies in Europe
- 8. Innovation capabilities slowing down Regional Innovation Scoreboard indicates slowing down of innovation capabilities throughout Europe „Where Europe is most and least innovative”, in 6 maps (Washington Post, Aug 2016); Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2016.
- 9. ESIF harshly critizised – gap is increasing! • Study indicates that larger ESIF invest correlates with slower development! Breidenbach et al., „EU Structural Funds and Regional Income Convergence – A sobering experience“, (RUHR, 2016).
- 10. Europe is in danger of loosing relevance Delivery of tangible innovation impact RDI investment is restricted innovation efficiency is key
- 13. Unique situation <-> general requirements Future challenges require efficient regional innovation systems, which need to fulfill: Enduring commitment of stakeholders Participation at strategy definition level proven impact of HEI as key partner Time! Motivation?Continuing evaluation and optimizationl Process transparency & publication! Sustainability? Local specifics and industrial base Effective trilateral networks Programmatic coherence and synergy Synchronization? Politics Trust! Q.Control?
- 14. Relevance of HEI
- 15. Grand Challenges Smart Growth Inclusive Growth Global Responsibility Sustainable Growth GLOBAL CHALLENGES • Make solar energy economical • Manage the nitrogen cycle • Advance health informatics • Prevent nuclear terror • Advance personalized training • Provide energy from fusion • Provide access to clean water • Secure cyberspace • Engineer the tools of scientific discovery • Develop carbon sequestration methods • Reverse-engineer the brain • Enhance virtual reality National Academy of Engineering FILL THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCH RESULTS AND REAL LIFE PRACTICE [email protected] Science & Society Dialogue Systems Design Foresight Mental Models & Special Role of Universities
- 16. Multitudinous possibilities cf. Connecting Universities to Regional Growth: A Practical Guide, EC REGIO, RIS3 group (2011) Nature of intervention Complexity transactional high volume lowhigh tranformational low volume Consultancy services Innovation vouchers Knowledge transfer partnership Science parks Reasearch & Technology Centers Graduate enterprise staff spin-out Network and cluster development Encouraging IP deveopment International linkages Qualification and education Increasing mobility Talent attraction and retention Volunteering and community work Widening participation Cultural development and place making Enhancing social equality
- 17. Measurable economic impact • Direct economic impact of HEI demonstrated, e.g in Germany direct positive economic impact of HEI estimated at 190 B€ HEI, creating jobs and increasing GDP. Source: Schubert, T./Kroll, H. (2013): Hochschulen als regionaler Wirtschaftsfaktor (Study on behalf of „Stifterverband“) Reduction of unemployment rate by 0,7% - 3,5 % Per capita GDP increase by 1100 – 3000 € rate by 0,7% - 3,5 %
- 18. Most impact is local Source: Schubert, T./Kroll, H. (2013): Hochschulen als regionaler Wirtschaftsfaktor (Study on behalf of „Stifterverband“) GDP increase Patents Household income Reduction in Unemployment Regional share of HEI competiveness impact
- 19. Enduring interaction networks are key to regional growth HEI are a proven stakeholder for regional innovation in many perspectives It can be quantified and most impact is local Largest Factor of HEI influence is human talent
- 20. Conclusions: RIS3 Means New Options for Universities In Europe's journey for transformation, we all – every city and every region, as well as every university – have to be pioneers, to explore new ways for the future of our societies. The concept of Smart Specialisation opens up new opportunities also for universities, above all: 1. Universities should act as the knowledge base in defining and implementing regional RIS3 strategies; 2. Universities can and should focus more on societal challenges and as a result, broadening the innovation base for tackling these challenges; 3. Universities need to strengthen their role as natural platforms for entrepreneurial discovery; 4. Universities have a crucial role in creating regional innovation ecosystems to be based on the co-creation culture and the network of innovation hubs; 5. Universities can be key actors in creating the new culture for multi-financing and project portfolio management (i.e. orchestration). [email protected]
- 21. Examples
- 22. Research infrastructure: Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) o a consortium project of 6 partners o total cost of 202 M € o 116 M € allocated to MU
- 23. CEITEC Masaryk University 7. Molecular veterinary medicine 1. Advanced nanotechnologies and microtechnologies 2. Advanced materials 3. Structural biology 4. Genomics and proteomics of plant systems 6. Molecular medicine 5. Brain and mind research ~40 research groups, focus on life sciences
- 24. Prof. Volli Kalm Rector of the University of Tartu Building an entrepreneurial university: A case study of the University of Tartu
- 26. EUA policy and activities
- 27. Mobilise 83 high-level representatives of universities from 69 universities in 26 countries EUA Board EUA Council Reporting directly to Providing information to Research Policy Working Group (RPWG) General EUA R&I policy development, ERA, H2020, research partnerships, relations with EC-EP EUA-Council of Doctoral Education Steering Committee EUA-EPUE Energy Platform UNI-SET Steering Committee Expert Group on Science 2.0/ Open Science Expert Group on Smart Specialisation (RIS3) EUA R&I Overall Consultative Committees – Organisation 2015
- 28. Recognition of universities as a key partner in regional development Need to build on the specific profile and opportunities of European regions Active promotion, publication and evaluation of RIS3 to motivate stakeholder participation Coordinate innovation programmes, reducing cross-programme complexity alignment of activity portfolios and stakeholder timelines to RIS3 Use funding synergetically for R&D infrastructure, human resources, cooperation and deployment platforms Develop incentives relating to regional priorities; R&D careers outside academia; heterogeneous collaboration platforms Ensure the sustainability of Smart Specialisation Strategies beyond structural funding timeframe
- 29. Expert Group on Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) Madrid Workshop (2015) • Workshop on “Universities promoting regional innovation across Europe” • Convened jointly by Crue/CPU and EUA and kindly hosted by the Autonomous University of Madrid (24 November 2015) • Six case studies from regions in Spain, France, Portugal and Germany • Discussion on the thematic areas of: o The role of universities in the design and implementation of Smart Specialisation (RIS3) o Coordination of regional, national and European programmes o Regional perspectives on Smart Specialisation
- 30. Outcomes RIS3 Activities 2015 • Seven Main Recommendations : “Universities are central to regional innovation across Europe” • RIS3 Workshop Report: http://www.eua.be/Libraries/publications-homepage-list/eua-workshop-report- quot-universities-promoting-regional-innovation-across-europe-quot.pdf?sfvrsn=6
- 31. “Universities are central to regional innovation across Europe” Main messages • Effective Smart Specialisation is an ongoing and evolving process: political support is needed to promote strong co-operation among relevant stakeholders in regional innovation. • There are already many good examples of effective Smart Specialisation in both established and more recent accession countries. Specific showcase initiatives should be set up with a view to sharing good practice in research and innovation activities for regional development across Europe. • Decision-making processes in the area of Smart Specialisation and regional innovation should be evidence-based and transparent. • Regions should use an appropriate range of assessment approaches and multidimensional measures that are able to capture diverse effects in the local innovation ecosystem. • The synergetic use of funds can only be achieved with higher levels of strategic and practical alignment of different funding instruments. Further harmonisation and simplification of regulations would be highly beneficial. • There is recognition that co-creation of knowledge through active engagement with external stakeholders should be valued on a par with traditional research activities. • Investing in even stronger links between education and research will support the development of human talent which is the fundamental driver of innovation.
- 32. Expert Group on Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) Warsaw Workshop (2016) • Workshop on “Universities as motors of innovation in Central and Eastern Europe” • Convened jointly by CRASP and EUA and kindly hosted by the University of Warsaw (13-14 October 2016) • Nine case studies from regions in Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland; 2 EU representatives and Polish authorities • Discussion on the specific role of universities in regional innovation in Central and Eastern Europe: o Specific Challenges o Strategic participation of universities o Cooperation across Europe
- 33. “Universities as motors of innovation in Central and Eastern Europe” Main messages (preliminary version) • Human talent is the fundament of regional innovation. Universities are therefore instrumental in creating and sustaining innovation. • Open inclusive systems are crucial to enable innovation. Enduring political engagement and competitive processes need to be ensured at the local level. • Innovation results from research excellence and is not an independent dimension. Opportunities and constraints of the local context need to be taken into account (‘qualified excellence’). • Synergy needs to be addressed systematically – cooperative use of different funds remains completely aleatory given the multilevel governance structures. Re-shaping of cohesion fund use in Europe could be a pilot for such efforts. • There is need to raise public awareness on the added-value of European programmes, in order to ensure continued public support. • Social and cultural innovation aspects needs to be taken increasingly in focus • An appropriate balance of fundamental and applied research is crucial to ensure sustained innovation capabilities
- 34. Synergies between Structural Funds and Horizon 2020 Policy input to mid-term review of Horizon 2020
- 35. EUA member consultation on H2020 • Developed in preparation for the mid-term review of H2020: to be launched by EC during autumn 2016 • Goal: to gather experience of universities with H2020 implementation (administrative, financial, strategic aspects) • Survey launched in January 2016 – deadline March 2016
- 36. Topic: Synergies between H2020 and ESIF The European Commission promotes the establishment of synergies between ESIF and Horizon 2020 in order to maximise impact and efficiency of public EU funding. One target area for a synergetic approach. • Are you aware of the concept of smart specialisation and the RIS3? • If so, has your institution been involved in the definition and/or implementation of RIS3? 80% 20% Yes No 54% 46% Yes No Number of respondents: 142/153 Number of respondents: 110/113
- 37. • RIS3 are a promising area for synergies between ESIF and Horizon 2020, and, thus, for bolstering regional, national and European R&I ecosystems. However, their actual success will depend on more alignment, more coherence and more simplification of funding regulations, requirements and timelines that in turn will enable and encourage more cooperation among authorities and stakeholders from the public and private sector. Main message in the area of RIS3 from the EUA member consultation on Horizon 2020
- 38. Discussion Time for your questions!
- 39. Thank you for your attention …… … what is your regional strategy?
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