Runup Thematic Network
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RUnUP Thematic Network RUnUP Thematic Network 2 RUnUP Thematic Network 3 RUNUP THEMATIC EVENT EXPLORES HOW CITIES CAN HARNESS THE TRIPLE HELIX AS A MOTOR OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT Cities are widely recognised as playing a fundamental role in the promotion of the knowledge economy, but most research and policy has focussed on large cities with World-class educational and research institutes and advanced clusters of economic activity. There are clear and significant gaps in the knowledge of how smaller sized cities, with different levels and types of knowledge institutions and different levels of economic activity, can compete within the Knowledge Economy. Yet such cities are recognised within European Union policy as playing a vital role in the implementation of the Lisbon agenda. The RUnUP network undertook its first Thematic Network Event in June 2009, in the partner city of Águeda in Portugal. RUnUP addresses in a uniquely different way the fundamental issues of how universities should engage with their local communities, with a particular focus on medium-sized cities; the role of local authorities and municipalities; and the importance of triple helix structures for supporting economic development and encouraging entrepreneurship. As Mayor Gil Nadais highlighted in opening the conference, “RUnUP provides an important mechanism for understanding the triple-helix, connections to universities and entrepreneurial conditions, and for enhancing the quality of life within the city”. The Mayor was actively supported in the opening ceremony by Ricardo Abrantes from the Business Association of Águeda , who also highlighted the importance of the theme of triple helix and the fundamental role of the University to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship within this time of knowledge. From the university perspective, the Pro-Rector of the University of Aveiro, Professor Artur da Rosa Pires stated the importance of the triple helix theme and the need to “build a relationship with the future”. Águeda is doing this and the University has been specifically challenged by the Mayor to locate in Águeda. For the University of Aveiro and its activities, he highlighted five key issues: 1. For the University to be aware of its dynamics and skills and ability to undertake other activities, and to do things in a new way 2. To be aware of the work of new companies, what they do and the requirement to develop new competencies 3. To understand the needs of society and how the University can meet these needs RUnUP Thematic Network 4. To reflect changes in public policy, the gathering of skills and doing things in a different way 5. The importance of partnerships developed on a global basis 4 In conclusion, the Professor highlighted that RUnUP as a network will transcend itself, gathering knowledge outside of the network as well as benefiting from partner knowledge. In concluding the opening ceremony, Vitor Campos, General Director of the Cabinet of Territorial Planning and Urban Development , highlighted the importance of URBACT as “a significant instrument for consolidating and communicating territorial development approaches within the Lisbon strategy”. He highlighted the need for innovative approaches to territorial development and the active participation of Águeda and 11 other Portuguese cities in the URBACT II programme. ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN URBAN POLES One of the successes of the thematic event held at the School of Technology and Management of Águeda (University of Aveiro), which attracted 150 delegates, was the participation of stakeholders from across Portugal who were keen to discuss how they can more actively use the principles of the triple helix in a practical way at a local level. Because of the importance of understanding how knowledge is transferred into the economy, RUnUP has bought together nine cities from across Europe under the URBACT II programme. As specifically outlined in the presentation by Chris Wilson, RUnUP Project Manager from Gateshead Council, these cities need to develop with partners from their URBACT Local Support Groups their own local action plans. For RUnUP, this will include mechanisms that support the capability of companies to acquire knowledge through connections with external organisations (including Universities) in line with the industrial transformation of the economy. Linked to this in his presentation, the Lead Expert for RUnUP, Clive Winters, explained how in moving forward into the implementation phase of the network, that the partners need to “enhance their individual and organisational knowledge of their local and regional knowledge based institutions.” Clive highlighted the importance of the role of cities in the knowledge economy and the state of the art in the role of universities in Urban Poles. In this context, Alicja Szczepinska from the town of Leszno in Poland provided a background to the economy of Leszno and its work in RUnUP. In particular, this has included mapping the state of economic transformation, establishing a focus on the metal/ machining industry; construction; food industry; and entrepreneurship. A key development has been the agreement by stakeholders of a mission for the town, based on the knowledge economy and a declaration of co-operation between key stakeholders to create and develop triple helix partnerships. FOSTERING THE TRIPLE HELIX AT A LOCAL LEVEL The URBACT II programme recognises the urban contribution to growth and jobs and that cities are home to innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth. Priority axis 1 of the operational programme in particular recognises the important themes of promoting entrepreneurship and improving the innovation and the knowledge economy, with the development of triple helix structures as catalysts to promote innovation structures and entrepreneurial spirit. RUnUP Thematic Network Promotion represents a key activity in technology transfer operations and the University of Aveiro in this context are promoting collaborative research, which includes working with research units and associated laboratories; the identification of competences among researchers, academics and 5 students; the valorisation of research; prototype development; and research and development activities. In addition, while technology transfer can occur from research, it can also occur from the development of entrepreneurship and result in the creation of spin-outs and start-ups. For the University of Aveiro, technology transfer and knowledge valorisation represents a critical activity. Jose Paulo Rainho of the University's Technology Transfer Office presented on their approach for supporting business innovation, technology based entrepreneurship, intellectual property management, collaborative research, technology licensing, and spin-outs and start-ups. The university deliver entrepreneurial courses, seminars, and conferences to students, academic members of staff, and researchers, to create a change in cultural mindset. Following this, the stimulation of entrepreneurship is facilitated through an ideas competition, business planning, and completion of feasibility studies. Over a three-year period, this activity has engaged with 394 participants, including 50 research units and 40 business mentors - generating 58 business plans, 7 entrepreneurial projects and 3 license agreements. Supporting this, intellectual property management is a significant activity that will include knowledge dissemination, investment management, cost benefit analysis, commercialisation of intellectual property, and formal IP protection. Beyond this, technology licensing represents the generation of income with market research consisting of a licensing plan and licensing negotiation. The theoretical perspective on the Triple Helix and its linkage to innovation development at the local level was explored by Associate Professor Domingos Santos from the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco . He addressed four key questions: 1. Why the triple helix is important 2. How triple helix models are organised RUnUP Thematic Network 3. The barriers for success 4. What policy measures can be adopted strengthen relations in the triple helix The importance of the triple helix was positioned within the context of regional innovation, where 6 the quality of human capital, research activity, innovation performance, and the ability of companies to absorb knowledge is particularly important. In this environment, the dialogue between business, higher education, and government is critical. Associate Professor Santos explained that traditional approaches were either demand-side or supply-side oriented; focussed on clusters or value chains linked to the end market or based on the scientific or technological interests of business. However, there are a range of private sector and public sector barriers that hinder the successful adoption of triple helix strategies. In conclusion, it is fundamental that there is leadership at a regional level with power delegated to local and regional governments, and that a platform exists for regional and local actors to come together so that the challenges of the wider community of SMEs that make up the economic fabric in most cities, are addressed by triple helix partnership. In closing the second parallel session, Associate Professor Rui Gama from the University of Coimbra highlighted the importance in society of information, knowledge, learning, and the organisation at a strategic level of supporting such activities. The production of knowledge