Experience of Ventspils University College in offering business oriented studies environment Prof. Dr. Jānis Vucāns, Ventspils University College, Latvia
Hanseatic city of Ventspils (43 ths. of inhab.) 190 km from Riga
Free Port of Ventspils VHTP
VCC
VUC Ventspils Technology Competency Development Story (1st part) 1997 – Ventspils University College (VUC) started educational operations 2000 – the first VUC study program in technologies (IT) started 2004 – Research institute “VIRAC” (former Soviet army secret military basis in the county Irbene, near the Ventspils) became the structural unit of VUC 2006 – state level project on the re-development of the electronic industry in the frame of actvities of European Reconstruction and Development Fund started in Latvia, VUC was one of project partners 2006 – establishment of Ventspils High Technology Park (VHTP) in the frame of mentioned electronic industry re-development project, VUC – one of foundators of VHTP, strong organizatorial support and financial contribution from Ventspils City Council Ventspils Technology Competency Development Story (2nd part) 2006 – Business Incubator (BI) started operations under the roof of VUC, VHTP – official operator of BI, big part of enterprises in BI created by VUC students 2008 – the first study program in electronics in VUC started 2008 – Ventspils City Council established the Committee on Technologies Development in the city of Ventspils, with participation of all main players 2011 – creation of the state level Space Data Processing Center with the VUC as the leading partner, and VHTP – as one of partners (together with University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, etc.), VHTP - also a possible place for further development of research and industrial infrastructure in the city of Ventspils. Special form of cooperation on the local level - in 2008 Ventspils City Council established the Committee on Technologies Development in the city of Ventspils, with the participation representatives of all main players: • Administration of Ventspils City Council • Enterprises with the intensive use of modern technologies (Ventspils Electronic Factory, Ltd; Dendrolight, Ltd; Bucher- Schoerling, Ltd, etc.), and through them the corresponding state level Business Associations • Ventspils Free Port Authority • Ventspils University College • Ventspils Branch of Riga Technical University • Ventspils Vocational School (study areas - electronics, electrotechnics, metalworking, etc.) • Department of Education of Ventspils City Council • Ventspils High Technology Park • Business Incubator of VUC, operated by VHTP • Research Institute “VIRAC” of VUC Development of Innovative Entrepreneurship
Education and ResearchIzglītības un institutions pētniecības iestādes Creation of human resourcesCilvēku and resursu sagatavošanas un researchpētniecības services pakalpojumi
Creation of Business Incubator Biznesa inkubators value added in Support to new COOPERATION techologyAtbalsts jauniem, orientated tehnoloģiski businessesorientētiem uzņēmumiem
Entre- preneur- Technology Park Tehnoloģiju parks ship Support to growing techologyAtbalsts orientatedaugošiem, tehnoloģiski orientētiem Business Incubator & Technology Park businessesuzņēmumiem VUC strategy VUC strategic goal is to become the internationally recognized center of studies, research, innovative businesses with high competition potential, with ability to make a considerable contribution in economic development of the region. Ventspils Augstskola - Ventspils University College Year 2013 6 bachelor level study programs in the areas of IT, Electronics, Business Year 1997 Administration, Translation and Interpreting, Intercultural relations 3 bachelor level 4 master level study programs study programs 2 doctoral (Ph.D.) programs 2 study 3 faculties + 1 study department departments 2 research institutes 870 students 100 students 70 (teaching) +30 (research) academic staff 15 academic staff members members Lifelong learning department Education and research laboratories Modern library Regional Technology Transfer Center Business Incubator Campus with 600 places in Students hostel More than 40 International partners Partners - foundators of Ventspils High Technology Park (VHTP) • Ventspils Free Port Authority • Ventspils University College • Industrialas Investicijas, Ltd. • Latvian Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry Association • Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Companies • Siemens, Ltd. • Zernike Group Holding B.V.
Legal form of VHTP – foundation (NGO). VHTP main activities: • promote Park’s competitiveness by incorporating knowledge and competence of the VHTP founders; • support companies specializing in field of information technologies, telecommunications, electronics, mechanic engineering, industrial automation, computer aided design and space technologies, and willing to start-up or develop activities in Ventspils city; • in co-operation with the Park’s investors, plan and facilitate construction of necessary engineering communications, access roads and industrial and office buildings for hi-tech companies; • facilitate the Park’s management, involve providers of public utility services and promote availability and quality of services for hi-tech companies; • in co-operation with educational and scientific bodies, promote and support in the form of projects the development of educational programme and scientific capacity in Ventspils; • provide business incubation services to hi-tech companies; • organise co-operation among VHTP founders, municipal services, manufacturing companies and port companies through mutual work and projects; • co-operate with Ventspils municipality in the development and implementation of the City Development Plan; • promote internationalisation of local and regional economy; • promote social and economic development of Ventspils and beyond. Examples of Companies operating in Ventspils HighTechnology Park
“Siemens”, Ltd. Business Incubator (BI) In 2006 Ventspils High Technology Park in collaboration with Ventspils University College (VUC) and Ventspils City Council had established Business Incubator (BI) to support high-tech companies at the beginning of their operational activities (not older than 3 years). Particularly the development of companies that are planning to work in the field of information technologies, telecommunications, electronics, engineering, industrial automation, computer aided design and space technologies is promoted. BI promotes establishment of new commercializing ideas and companies and their development in Business Incubator, offering business start-ups qualitative infrastructure and office services on reduced tariffs, business consultations of development, financing and organization, and also effective collaboration net for sales of the generated ideas. Incubated companies have all preconditions to develop rapidly, increase turnover and enter the local and global markets via collaboration net of the Incubator. Big part of enterprises in BI are created by VUC students (mainly - master level students). Examples of projects of VHTP
Unified ICT Network for Innovations (ICT DCnet) The project connecting Tartu, Riga and Venspils ICT demonstration centres in a Demo Centre network similar to ones existing in Scandinavia. The participating centres will provide rotating exhibition of ICT hardware prototypes and software applications. Synchronizing of the study program module “Artificial intelligence” is also among the project objectives.
“Utilizing the existing and emerging potential of Nordic-Baltic dimension in critical satellite technologies and applications” VHTP is one of consortium partners in this project (NordicBaltSat), financed by European Commision. Examples of projects of VHTP Cooperation between Ventspils and Tartu in Space Technology Research and Training On August 2009, the VHTP as the leading partner started the implementation of the project „Cooperation between Ventspils and Tartu in Space Technology Research and Training”. The project has received support from Norway through Norwegian government bilateral financing instrument.
”SIB Net - Small Innovative Business Promotion Network” Aims of SIB Net project: To promote new innovative high growth firms (e.g. “gazelles”) by encouraging entrepreneurial creativity, providing needed support and evaluating needs for early stage risk finance. Project aims to solve identified common for partner regions (Kurzeme, Riga and South Estonia) market failure to release innovative spinouts from regional research centres and Higher Education Institutions fuelled by partnership, mutual learning and mobility activities, and required external competence. Special area for further development of joint competency of VUC and VHTP – space technologies, based on data processing and analysis. Basis for it - scientific infrastructure and human capital of VUC and its Research institute “Ventspils International RadioAstronomy Center” (“VIRAC”). One of 9 national level research centres in Latvia Research area - ICT and signal processing Expected 5 M LVL (7,5 M EUR) investments in the next 2 years
Informācijas, komunikāciju un signālapstrādes National Level tehnoloģiju Valsts nozīmes pētniecības Research Center centrs on ICT and Signal Processing
KDAC
Sub-Center on Space Data Processing Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre”: HISTORY
In the 1950-years Soviet army initiated the creation of the secret military basis “Zvezdochka” („Little Star”) in the county Irbene near the Ventspils. In the years 1960th – 1970th two parabolic radio telescope antennas with the primary mirror diameters 32 and 16 m were constructed. 1994: Latvian Academy of Sciences after the withdrawal of Soviet army from Latvia took over of non- functioning radio telescopes (completely damaged electrical part, motors, all technical documentation eliminated) and established the Research Institute “VIRAC”. 2004: VIRAC became a part of Ventspils University College as a scientific structural unit – research institute. Aim – to become an internationally recognized research organization. 2010: realized preconditions to achieve the task – to create the Space Data Processing Centre as the National Level Research Center, working for the needs of economy. 2013: by attracting significant investments, is planned to finish the first stage of creation of the Space Data Processing Centre. Aim – to become a global research services provider. Achieved until 2010
New: Internet 30 km RT32: reconstructed, equipment, RT16 is reconstructed, put in (1 Gbps), electric, water working area, roof repairs, thermo- motion supply, heating, sewerage insulation Rooms for research, international cooperation and training Personal: 11 scientists, 23 scientific staff, total 47 (doubled, in comparison with 2007) Up to date attached funds for human resources and infrastructure development (since 2004 ): more than 7,5 M EUR from different sources 19 Former military infra – significant and recognized worldwide science component
Very Long Basis Interferrometry (VLBI) global network Irbene FP6 and FP7 projects at VLBI network
New investments will provide • 10 GBps • Real time measurements, data acquisition • Automated and remote administration of radio telescopes • Data storage, buffering, pre- processing, transfer and high computing capacity in real time.
Source – ESFRI - European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures “VIRAC” focusing on applied space technologies
Satellite Competence Centre project: Collaborative applied research More than 12 companies involved.
Satellite association / cluster project: First meeting took place at February 2008 in Ventspils
Technology platform – industrial cluster project: State aid program to support industrial clusters to promote knowledge intensive and high value added businesses VUC Research Institute “VIRAC” Development Strategy Key Main Use of space technology derivatives in every home investment Personal outputs areas Ventspils as a center of region technological growth
Technical equipment Space engineer – automation and problem solutions
E-infrastructure Businessmen’s take a part in space orders fulfillment , overflow
Organizational resource Service sector is growing Research Competencies of Ventspils University College’s Research Institute “VIRAC” and possible fields of their application RT-32: fundamental astronomy research
Research in astrophysics and radioastronomy : multi antenna observation programs with real time measurements; Galaxy optical image reception of radar signals of dangerous space Galaxy image, objects, asteroids and space debris in radio obtain using VLBI interferometry (astronomy research technique) regime; research of cosmic molecule; solar radio astronomical observation.
*VLBI – very long base interferometry observations, where observations at the same Molecular cloud time by a number of remote Sun radio telescopes Pulsārs RT-32 – unique services worldwide
Time/frequency coverage of microwave solar observations Sample: Solar activity measurements RT-16:satellite technologies Applied engineering electronics
Research in astrophysics, output research: Applied engineering electronics*: maintenance of geodesic and GPS research of “intelligent houses” supporting systems; technology, including digital TV; research and application of satellite technologies (including Venta-1), fast prototyping; system-engineering; antennas' engineering solutions. analysis and processing of satellite images; *partly is included in the planned activities of space telecommunications SDPC Development of AIS Satellite and its Services- Cooperation with Latvian partners High-performance engineering calculation
mechanical properties of materials; real time space data correlator as perfomer of net calculations; research of hydrodynamics and aerodynamics, turbulence; electromagnetic applications, thermodynamics (Switzerland, accelerator)* engineering of geology* optimization of business processes * * is not included in the planned activities of SDPC. First Latvian satellite: Venta-1
MISSION: AIS satellite design and its services AIS (AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM) SPACE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT NEW NANO SATELLITE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT FOR TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS
LAUNCH: planned in 2013 (India, Russia, or EU) CLASS: NANO SATELLITE WEIGHT: 5-12KG (depending on load) ORBIT: 600 KM TYPE: COMMUNICATION, NAVIGATION APLICATION: MAIN: AIS DATA RECEIVER SECUNDARY: LOW RESOLUTION CAMERA, SATELLITE-LASER RANGEFINDER, GPS RECIEVER High performance computing: MEGAPIE target: Paul Sherer institute High perfomance computing: new materials
Applications: combustion chambers, aerospace industry Rapid prototyping: ceramics, elastomers, metals Mathematic modeling division Financial engineering
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