Presentation
Entrepreneurial Universities: New models
Context
The context of the conference is the need to strengthen the contribution by universities to responsible innovation and entrepreneurship in the move towards a knowledge-based society with a new model of sustainable economic growth, less dependent on cyclical crises.
The exchange, rather than the transfer, of knowledge between universities and businesses is a key factor to increasing Europe ́s competitiveness in a global knowledge economy. The possible approaches to improving knowledge exchange between academia and firms and the role of universities in the innovation process needs to be further discussed in the light of the best existing practices and models in the EU and at national and regional levels.
Recent trends in the valorisation of research results, university patenting and the orientation of the innovation strategy combining technology push and market pull approaches will be analysed during the Conference.
Purpose
The objectives of the conference will be:
- Exploring the ways universities can drive innovation in different economic contexts
- The role of university-based scientific and technological parks
- Models for enhancing the university – business cooperation to drive innovation
- Valorisation of university-based research
- University management of intellectual property rights
- Entrepreneurial universities
Target audience
The aim of the conference is to promote a reinforced dialogue, mutual learning and the exchange of ideas between policy makers and representatives of the university world, research institutions and innovative businesses.
A maximum of 150 participants is foreseen.
Format
The Conference will last for one and a half days, comprising five different types of sessions:
- Opening session by representatives from the Ministry of Education in Spain, Commissioners of Education and regional authorities at the highest level from the region where the conference is held;
- Plenary sessions with distinguished speakers from Universities, Businesses, their Associations and Ministries;
- Round tables focusing on each of the aims of the Conference, i.e. the ways universities can drive innovation, the role of scientific and technological parks and the models for enhancing the university – business cooperation to drive innovation.
- A moderator will introduce the subject. Two to three speakers representing universities, other stakeholders (Enterprises, Scientific Parks, European Commission, etc.) and policy makers could briefly make short introductory speeches (10 minutes) followed by a reaction from the other panellists and a final Debate/Q & A session with the audience. A rapporteur should be appointed for each session to summarise the main findings and conclusions of each workshop as input for the Plenary Conclusion session.
- Plenary conclusion session giving the feedback, conclusions and recommendations from the workshops.
- Closing session at the political level involving the highest possible level from the Ministry of Education in Spain, Commissioners of Education and regional authorities at the highest level from the region where the conference is held.
Expected outcome:
To develop and further elaborate ways of dealing with specific recommendations to properly design policy measures and incentives to foster the academia – business dialogue and cooperation, i.e. a better understanding of business culture in universities (entrepreneurial universities) and of the university culture in firms (scientific firms). Specific outcomes could be:
- Recommendations, good practices and benchmarks for the further development of technology push and market pull approaches towards technological innovation.
- Input for new Commission work and possible Council decision/resolution on the topic encouraging Member States to work together and co-ordinate their policies.
- A deeper involvement of the engagement of all the stakeholders in the process
2010. Spanish Presidence of EU Council - "Entrepreneurial Universities: New models"
