UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation University Chair on Innovation Centro METID WP5 Visit to MEDA Universities: Cairo University May 2009 WP5 Planning This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation WP5: EU – MEDA Virtual Environment Centro METID is going to lead Task Group 5* in WP5: Developing an EU – MEDA Virtual Environment and Strategy for University – Industry Cooperation in Innovation The EU-MEDA Virtual Environment is aimed at ensuring the following aspects: internal and external dissemination communication between universities sustainability of the innovation chair initiative Partners involved: * Task Group 5 is composed by: Centro METID and MEDA Universities staff Centro METID in Unchain project: WP5

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation WP5 is composed by the following main activities:  5.1 Enhancement of the IT infrastructure of the MEDA universities  5.2 Design and customization of the online tools  5.3 Technological/methodological training in e-cooperation for enhanching  University (UE and MEDA) – Enterprise networking  5.4 Online activity management, creation of an University – Enterprise online knowledge sharing system Centro METID – WP5 activities (FY M1 – TY M12)

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation WP5. 1: Enhancement of the IT infrastructure of the MEDA universities Objective: enhancing the IT infrastructure necessary to support the MEDA universities in the use of the e-learning and e-cooperation tools developed in the project Activities: preliminary analysis of the available IT infrastructure; establishment of 3 computer labs at 3 different MEDA Univ. (Cairo, Hassan II, Aleppo); upgrading and adding more IT tools to the existing computer labs (other MEDA Univ.) Staff involved: The MEDA universities will have to order the required IT equipments after consulting Centro METID. One staff member from Centro METID will be available at the MEDA universities during the installation to provide technical support. Centro METID: technical support; MEDA Univ.: IT team of Cairo (Egypt), Hassan II (Morocco) and Aleppo (Syria) Univ: Resp. for lab installation (PC,server and network), Resp. for ICT purchases other MEDA univ: : Resp. for lab installation (PC,server and network), Resp. for ICT purchases Centro METID – WP5.1 activities (FY M1 – FY M8)

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation WP5. 2: Design and customization of the online tools Objectives: implementing a customised mix of e-cooperation platforms (communication, interaction and cooperation between all the actors involved about the innovation topics) developing frequent interactions among all the subjects involved (professor, industry representatives, students, etc.) to support interpersonal exchange of experiences for the creation of a common strategy definition Activities: Context analysis (local technological facilities, usage rate of distance cooperation tools, normative rules which could affect the project activities, needs of cooperation actors both on the University and the enterprise sides) Adapting the established/available computer laboratories, where necessary Design and installation of software facilities necessary to the network (synchronous and asynchronous platforms and web2.0 tools). Staff involved: Centro METID: wp5.2 responsible MEDA Univ.: participating to achieve process’ good practices Centro METID – WP5.2 activities (FY M3 – FY M8)

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation Today: First trips/ meetings (1/2 day+ 1 day+1/2 day) Staff involved: -Centro METID -MEDA Univ: - 1 Thecnical (responsible for lab installation and upgrading) - Staff en charge of project activities - anyone else considered by PM MEDA Univ. important to be involved at this stage of the project Activities: - Inspection of locations for labs installation (Cairo, Aleppo, Hassan II) - Inspection of existing labs (Sekem, S. Joseph, Sfax) - Inspection of distributed IT station (PC of professors, researchers, students,other staff, etc.) - Interview to staff involved to point out the following aspects: contex of the project activities, users needs (specific for the project), previous experiences of MEDA univ. Staff in e-cooperation, on line communication, internet use, etc All relevant information for WP5 project activities Centro METID – WP5.1 and 5.2 activities (FY M1 – FY M8)

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation Next Steps WP5. 3: Technological/methodological training in e-cooperation for enhancing University (UE and MEDA)- Enterprise networking Objectives: supporting the outcomes of the project: University Chair activities (output 1), re-skilling program (outcome 3) and MSc twining program (outcome 3). Representatives for the three programs will be selected to be trained under this activity creating the basis of a sustainable and durable e-cooperation among European Universities, MEDA Universities and Enterprises operating in all MEDA Countries, through an effective and efficient exploitation of ICT resources and web 2.0 e-cooperation tools Activities: set of blended course (face to face and online meetings) to train the selected group on e- cooperation initiatives development of a dialogue between universities and universities - enterprises Staff involved: Centro METID: wp5.3 responsible MEDA Univ.: participating to the proposed training activities (target groups) Centro METID – WP5. 3 (FY M9 – SY M3)

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation WP5. 4: Online activity management, creation of an University-Enterprise online knowledge sharing system Objectives: spreading the results of the cooperation activities pushing the growth of more interesting collaborative projects and discussions stressing on the necessity to establish a university chairs on innovation in the MEDA region Activities: -supporting the work group during the identification of projects that require collaboration (as the MSc twinning program) and cooperation of university Chairs to trigger virtuous mechanisms that enforces the exchange of reciprocal experiences; -follow up the work group during both the planning of the activities to be performed through the use of tools placed at disposal and the coordination and management of the same activities; -monitoring and evaluating the experiences of exchange between Universities and Enterprises developed in order to rise out significant interaction models that incorporate methodological and technological choices; -collecting and sharing in an online knowledge sharing system all the contents and projects developed by Universities and Enterprises involved by putting in evidence good practices developed Staff involved: Centro METID, Task Group 5, EU/MEDA representatives involved in the project Centro METID – WP5. 4 (SY M1 – TY M12)