HELSINKI, FINLAND
2-3 JUNE 2016
The University-Business Forum, supported by the European Commission (DG Education and Culture), held almost every year since 2008, brings together:
higher education institutions,
companies,
business associations,
intermediaries, and
public authorities.
It gives them a chance to meet at European level to discuss, network and exchange ideas and good practice. The Forum looks at the current situation in university-business cooperation and at what policy initiatives and programmes are needed to support this.
The past event (Vienna, 25-26 February 2016) was a joint effort of the European Commission (DG Education and Culture), the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy. Around 520 participants from all over Europe jointly develop ideas and formed creative collaborations.
Besides plenaries sessions with high profile speakers, participants had been activated by lively exchange during interactive breakout sessions, informal networking opportunities and debates about:
How can cooperation between business and universities be structured to best drive innovation? How can we scale up models such as “dual studies”?
How can an entrepreneurial mind-set among students,teachers and researchers be encouraged? How can science, business and policy support start-up creation?
How can a university operate in an entrepreneurial way? What is the role for universities when it comes to lifelong learning, knowledge exchange and regional growth?
For more information on past and upcoming University-Business Forums, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/university-business_en.htm.
During the forthcoming Forum, an electronic Platform to support knowledge creation and further interactions between all stakeholders in universities, businesses, and relevant organizations of the innovation ecosystem, will also be presented.
The platform, which is open for all interested stakeholders, is available : www.yammer.comuniversitybusinesscooperationnetwork
The Platform has been developed by a consortium composed of EFMD, ECORYS, EIESP and DTI.