UNCHAIN With the support of three EU Universities and the UN Industrial Development Organization, the aim of the UNCHAIN project is to increase the success rate of innovations through implementation of Industry - University cooperation to apply science and technology. The network will strengthen the role of higher education institutions in society; addressing the "knowledge triangle" of education, research and innovation at university level; and to encourage links between higher education institutions and the labour market, including the promotion of entrepreneurship and the creation or support of business start- ups in the MEDA region. Joint theses should cover the needs of businesses Product Innovation This activity under the UNCHAIN project is devoted to strengthen the ability of MEDA Universities to solve problems that occur in the businesses of their country. The problems should be raised by the companies, the methodology and the project design will be made in a cooperation of the companies, the MEDA and the European University. Process innovation A reduction of production costs goes hand in hand with the minimisation of emissions, if innovative changes are made in production processes. UNCHAIN aims at a more effective use of water, chemicals and energy while improving the product quality at the same time. Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Strategies Energy is one of the key issues in industry, and in every country. Energy efficiency and the utilisation of renewable forms of energy will be designed and evaluated in the joint theses. This regards to production processes (drying, cooking, pasteurisation, cleaning, …) as well as for heating and cooling in general. Innovative products are needed to fulfil the needs of the population in the participating countries. Recent projects showed that there is a need especially in household products, packaging and transport. Professor Joseph Mezher

UNCHAIN In Lebanon please contact Professor Joseph Mezher Saint Joseph University Campus des Sciences Sociales Rue Huvelin, BP Mar Mikhael Beirut Tel SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER It is planned to twin master students from each MEDA university with students of the same level in EU universities to tackle a R&D topic relevant to the MEDA country. The consortium will help the MEDA universities to elaborate R&D areas for the development of the twinning programme and assess the industry partners that are put forward on the basis of that for suitability Twinning of MSc projects. The experiences from the three EU Universities can act as a blueprint for similar successful cooperation between Industry and University in the region. A suited documentation of the processes should help to improve the efficiency and number of projects and to establish a sustainable cooperation. All the previous activities will enable the regional Universities to gain experiences regarding: - University-Industry problems in the region - Difficulties in establishing and handling Technological Transfer Offices and Industrial Business Incubators - Best practices of MSc twinning program - Strengths and weaknesses of the re-skilling program The virtual environment developed will be an excellent tool to facilitate the communication and reporting activities. Please contact the Chair of Innovation at your University. UNIVERSITY CHAIR OF INNOVATION Promoting Industry – - University Collaboration Your local University provides: Access to the latest knowledge, equipment and technologies Access to national and international networks First choice in recruiting bright new minds An advantage over your competitors Insight into new trends and market possibilities