The University West has held the second of the online seminars that STARS EU has organized, with a monthly periodicity, in order to showcase the objectives and first results within each of the Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs) which center the research activities of the alliance. This second seminar addressed the aims of the Arts and Creatives Industries, and you can see its recording following this link or directly in the embebed video below.

The seminar included a presentation by the Arts and Creative Industries TIG by the TIG leader Antonio Meireles (IPB). On the development so far, participants in the TIG but not least the planning for the future of the TIG.

This TIG has already developed a joint common ground for the participants in it and also a strategy for the development further. Not least was time a crucial discussion point at the seminar as a factor for creativity and possibility of development (in this TIG and in general).

The seminars are an important part in the joint ongoing development of the STARS EU alliance and to enlight the existing competence and research capacity already in place. But also to understand the connection between TIG’s and the possibilities that might have. And to find research solutions that yet not are being addressed.

The third TIG Seminar is scheduled on 7th February, about Energy Transition.

​Case: Dutch Engaged Region

In the Northern Netherlands context, place-based cooperatives have emerged that focus on local and regional challenges and opportunities. These cooperatives differ from the more traditional socially or business driven cooperatives which are also abundantly present in our region, which has a long history of cooperative networks and organizations. The place focused cooperatives in the Groningen-Assen urban field are called Gebiedscoöperatie (area cooperatives) when they are focused on a local area and there are a number of these cooperatives established and in development. Next to this, a regional cooperative, Regiocoöperatie, was established to support Gebiedscoöperaties and to develop initiatives at the regional level.

Each area has one or more Innovation Workplaces (IWP) focussing on challenges identified by the local stakeholders. Stakeholders from industry (especially small and medium sized enterprises), local government, education and civil society come together, share their knowledge and resources to co-create and implement solutions for the chosen challenges.

The Dutch engaged model is motivated by the limited innovation capacities (R&D resources) in the region and therefore leverages students and researchers as a driving force to generate new knowledge and innovations in collaboration with other stakeholders. Together, students, researchers and other stakeholders become learning communities focused on regional challenges.

Engaged University

Societies are faced with multiple pressures on different fronts, namely, ecological, social, economic and political. Climate change and disinformation are only two such examples. The urgency of these multiple and parallel challenges makes it more urgent for Universities to focus their efforts to engage and be engaged with their stakeholders. The local region is an important context of engagement for Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), and for the region, HEIs are important sources of knowledge, training and innovation.

The key role of an engaged university is one of development – developing regional knowledge and innovation ecosystems together with the regional partners and aligning its mission to policy at different (EU, national, regional) levels. EU Policy for example is facilitating the engaged universities principle through its main Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, that emphasizes the need for research and innovation (R&I) to tackle global challenges and support uptake of such solutions into markets and society.

In the Next Newsletter: The role of the European ENGAGED University (EEU) in community and economic development by ENGAGED partner Waterford Institute of Technology from Ireland.

The main objective of this project is to address the needs of mobile students signaled in times of crisis and equip them with proper instruments and tools in order to enhance their confidence, their readiness to take on the world and enrich their personality which they will need in their work and personal life.

This panel discussion will take place on the 3rd of March 2021 at 9.30-10.30 AM (CET). This online event is open for everyone who is interested to join.

The panel discussion is held as part of their first Una Europa Staff Week the series “Watershed of Internationalization”.

High-ranked representatives of the three European university networks Una Europa, UNITE! and Eutopia will discuss the concept and future of the European university. You can find detailed information and agenda about the event and the registration link here: https://bit.ly/3k8rLo

Commission meeting with stakeholders

The Commission meeting was attended by the principals of all six partner universities as well as several of their stakeholders from the region. Marinus Tabak, director of RWE Groningen, also participated in the Commission meeting. The RWE in Groningen is the largest energy producer in the Netherlands stationed in the Eemshaven in the Northern Netherlands where ENGAGED partner Hanze UAS is situated nearby. ‘This new European ENGAGED University (EEU) is of great importance. Hanze University has a pivotal role in the energy transition and the hydrogen economy we are aiming at in the region. We test new ideas, train professionals and educate new engineers at Hanze UAS. This counts for the acceleration of green chemistry as well. The triple helix we established here is very well functioning and with this ENGAGED university we have to opportunity to extend this to EU level.’

Manuel Heitor the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal gave his full support for the initiative of the European ENGAGED University. Portugal has the presidency of the Council for the European Union the next half year and the focus lies on strengthen linkages between science and employment; open collaborative research area (ERA) aiming at more inclusiveness of European universities and development of research carriers. Polytechnical institutes and universities of applied sciences are a changing factor in skilling for employability and contributing to development of knowledge triangle: education, research and innovation. View this Commission meeting.

Webinar ENGAGED challenge based module

The webinar for student and teachers took place in the afternoon. Partners presented regional societal challenges inviting students to contribute finding solutions to tackle them. The ENGAGED challenge based module was further explained and discussed by Pro-President of IPB Vera Ferro-Lebres and moreover it was explained how students are able to apply for this special EEU module. This module is designed by the six partners of the European ENGAGED University. Several challenging assignments were presented by stakeholders and entrepreneurs from the ENGAGED regions in Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Romania and the Netherlands. View the webinar.

Did you miss it or want to watch it again? You can still watch both events on the IPB YouTube channel.

​Six progressive higher education institutions (HEIs) which will establish the European ENGAGED University will sign an outline agreement on Wednesday December 2 2020. This formalises the alliance to start a new kind of university in Europe. The main goal of which to prepare students for the future economy.

Engaged in the region and beyond

The partners are all universities or institutions which are very involved in their region and beyond. They want to contribute to a sustainable future and resilient economy and are driven by societal challenges. All of them work closely together with divers stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, small and bigger companies, governmental institutions, and civic society organisations.

The official settlement of the alliance took place virtually during the online commission meeting on Wednesday December 2 2020 hosted by lead partner Hanze UAS.

Partners

The partners are Hanze University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (Portugal), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland), Bremen University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi (Romania).