1. Regions for Economic Change: Innovating Through EU Regional Policy Workshop 2B Developing Poles of Excellence: Partnerships Between Research Institutions and Businesses Dr John H Smith EUA Deputy Secretary-General Brussels, 12 June, 2006

2. …2… Brief Profile of the EUA Established in 2001 in Brussels 750+ University Members 34 National Rectors Conferences Members Independent Voice for the University Sector

3. …3… Starting point for EUA Views on Innovating Through EU Regional Policy The Glasgow Declaration (April 2005) Third EUA Convention of Higher Education Institutions « Strong Universities for a Strong Europe ». On Excellence in Research and Innovation, the Declaration stated: « Universities must exercise their own responsibilities for enhancing research and innovation through the optimal use or resources and the development of institutional research strategies. Their diverse profiles ensure that they are increasingly engaged in the research and innovation process, working with different partners at the regional, national, European and global level.»

4. …4… Enhancing the Role of Universities in Fostering Regional Innovation EUA has welcomed the European Commissions commitment to achieving greater complementarity between FP7 and the European Research Development Fund with a view to strengthening existing university-based innovation networks (university/industry/SME partnerships) and developing new ones. EU Research Framework Programmes have had a major positive effect in fostering research collaboration across universities, research institutions and business enterprises. EUA is engaged in the current debate to ensure that universities are able to benefit from the FP7 new proposals to reimburse direct and indirect eligible research costs on the basis of a « level playing field » across Europes regions. EUA has been involved in the development of the « Responsible Partnering Guidelines » as a voluntary code of conduct reflecting established good practices on research collaboration between universities, public research organisations, industry and business enterprises.

5. …5… Partnership Collaborations between Universities and Businesses Four Main Challenges 1. Collaborative research needs to be treated as part of university excellence. 2. Recognition is needed of different partners legitimate interests. 3. Investment should be made in strategies that develop professionalism in collaborative research. 4. Change of « Mindset » is required: Young researchers are key to the change process.

6. …6… Contribution from University Partners Strong potential to collaborate with industry for European economic success Cutting edge research Human capital: talent and skills Ability to change mindset on collaborative research: education programmes for entrepreneurship and innovation

7. …7… University Partners: Main Benefits from Collaborative Research with Business Universities as institutions Excelling in research and innovation Proximity with business as a driver for innovation Diversifying funds for research Professors and Senior Researchers Attracting and re-training good professionals Early Career Researchers Developing a wider range of professional careers and opportunities

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9. …9… Responsible Partnering in Practice Ten Actionable Guidelines Collaborative Research Agreements Check-list for self-assessment tailored to the distinct needs of Universities, RTOs and Companies Voluntary approach with Entry, Expert and Strategic levels

10. …10… Universities - Tackling the challenges Key messages of the RP Initiative Strong bottom-up collaboration between University- Industry-RTO-Government necessary to foster European innovation Universities are key players in innovation as well as in research and education Through adopting the Responsible Partnering guidelines, universities build best practices into their collaborative research with business

11. …11… www.eua.be www.responsible-partnering.org