ECIU Magazine, 2018
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European Consortium of Innovative Universities NO. 01/2018 Challenging conventional thinking COLOPHON ECIU is the leading international tingham further strengthen the compe- FOREWORD consortium of research intensive titive position of the network. ‘Challen- universities, with collective ging conventional thinking’, as we call emphasis on innovation, this redefinition process, already leads creativity and societal impact, THE FUTURE OF to future-proof universities, you might driving the development of a say. There is, however, a big concern: knowledge-based economy. Europe has to make clear political choi- UNIVERSITIES ces in education, research and innova- www.eciu.org tion in order to stay competitive and give talents room to flourish. This, in our ECIU Magazine is a publication The university of the future, what does it opinion, has to lead to radical changes of the ECIU PR-Group and look like? Or, to put it in another way: do in budget priorities. We are making sure was created in collaboration universities, as we know them today, still this is heard in Brussels. with U-Today, the independent have a future? One thing may be clear, journalistic medium at the for a start: society’s expectations are sky So far so good. Mission accomplished, University of Twente. high. They should be. We have to offer you might say. But let’s be honest: isn’t study programmes that match trends that conventional thinking as well? I Editorial team like digitalization and large-scale availa- already mentioned the changes in the U-Today & PR-Group ECIU bility of knowledge. Current and future way young people deal with knowledge This edition was created by generations of students simply have and creativity. Add to that the rapidly Maaike Platvoet (editor-in-chief a different approach to learning and changing labour market and a growing at U-Today), Sandra Pool (editor knowledge. We have to do research with need for lifelong learning, and you at U-Today), Rik Visschedijk, an impact that goes beyond citation in- might raise the question if there is still Michaela Nesvarova, Rense dices. Society expects us to play a deci- a future for universities with their fixed Kuipers and Jelle Posthuma sive role in the sustainable development programmes and structures. Innovative (editorial team of U-Today), goals of the United Nations, for example. frontrunners like the ECIU universities Katrin Dircksen (Secretary ECIU), For this, we have to build networks with shouldn’t be afraid of questioning the Hinke Mulder (Strategic PR industry, governments and NGO’s, in our university system as a whole. After 20 Manager UT) own region as well as worldwide. years of existence, we simply can’t sit back and relax: we would lose our com- Coordinated by The members of the European Consor- petitive edge in very short time. We will Sandra Pool & tium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) have to stay sharp. Katrin Dircksen are all the living proof of this vision. They introduced new teaching models This magazine shows some great exam- Design and layout by and, by doing so, inspired each other ples of the way ECIU universities work, Marloes Jansink, within the network. They all act as engi- innovating teaching and research and design agency Vanille nes of regional transformation, intro- enhancing academic leadership. (www.ikwilvanille.nl) ducing new technology and innovative Challenge us! business in their respective regions. Printed by New partners like Tampere University of Victor van der Chijs, SMG Group Technology and the University of Not- President, ECIU (www.smg-groep.nl) 12 UNIVERSITIES Aalborg Universitat Tampere Kaunas University Tecnológico University Autònoma University of University of of Twente de Monterrey de Barcelona Technology Technology Hamburg Linköping Dublin City University University University of University University University of Aveiro of Nottingham Technology of Stavanger Photo Rikkert Harink CONTENT 4 QUESTIONS ABOUT ECIU 04 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STUDY 06 ECIU OFFICE BRUSSELS 10 STAFF EXCHANGE 12 INFOGRAPHIC 14 THE RUNIN PROJECT 16 EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION 19 ENTREPRENEURSHIP 22 20 YEARS OF ECIU 24 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 26 7 THEMES Innovation Cooperation Education Regional Science Entrepreneurship Mobility development A success story of like-minded friends What do they represent? What is their key focus and where do they find each other? Four questions for Katrin Dircksen, ECIU Secretary General, about the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. What is ECIU all about? Why is this collaboration ‘It is a consortium of twelve young so important? universities that share their core values. ‘We speak with a single voice and pro- Innovation and entrepreneurship are in tect our interests together, for example the DNA of our members. We all come in our dealings with the European Union. from regions where the economy came Universities are hardly heard as a single under pressure following the decline of institution. Instead, they have a voice traditional sectors such as textile and with impact as a member of a group of shipping. The universities are the result likeminded universities. The advantage of a regional need to have highly educa- for policy makers is that they speak to a ted people for the economy of the futu- group of universities across Europe with re and to develop new industries. That a long track record in regional innova- is why all partners have very close ties tion, entrepreneurship and innovative to their region and the industry, while teaching. This lobby allows us to put also having an international mindset.’ important themes on the agenda and promote our expertise.’ What does the consortium do? ‘We know each other very well. We What does the future learn from each other about governan- hold for the ECIU? ce, the structure of our education and ‘The world around us is changing rapidly entrepreneurship. We all value mobility and we face new questions from society and internationalisation and we encou- and industries. We want to create signifi- rage our employees and students to cant impact on society. That is why seek out collaboration. We do that by we embrace our role as life-long edu- offering shared minors, joint masters, cators. With interdisciplinary research, and travel grants for researchers. Pro- open innovation and international edu- ject- and problem-based learning are at cation we link our universities to society. the core of the ECIU universities’ educa- In ECIU our shared background and tion. Students combine theoretical and values are crucial for our collaboration. practical aspects so they are optimally We will continue our efforts to make a prepared for the world of tomorrow.’ difference at regional, national and inter- national level.’ Text Rik Visschedijk Photo A success story of Gijs van Ouwerkerk like-minded friends ‘We have a voice with impact’ Make the most of your study Text Rik Visschedijk Students from the ECIU partner universities can Anthony Liew make the most of their studies by choosing one Anthony Liew is enrolled in the joint master Cities & Sustainability at the of the two available joint masters: Cities & Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He travelled all the way from Australia Sustainability or Global Technology and Innovation for this master’s programme. Management & Entrepreneurship. You study at Why did you choose this master? ‘Our world is becoming increasingly different universities of your choice. Two students connected. That is especially true for my studies. I love the fact that you study talk about their experiences. and work together with people from different cultures. That expands your ho- rizon. As an Australian, I always wanted to go to Europe. This master’s program- Malte David Krohn me gives me the opportunity to make it more than just a holiday. I have already Malte David Krohn of the Hamburg What did you do? made a ton of new friends from all kinds University of Technology (TUHH) finished ‘Half my lectures were in Hamburg. of cultures. It has enriched my life.’ the Global Innovation Management (GIM) During my second year, I attended the master’s programme last year and is now University of Strathclyde in Scotland. The Would you recommend a PhD researcher in Hamburg. international aspect made this a remarka- this programme? ble learning experience. This programme ‘Just go for it,’ he says. ‘It challenges you Why did you choose this master? is not only unique because of the contact to bring out the best in yourself. It can ‘I have a bachelor’s degree in engi- you have with other international stu- only be good for you to enrol in a study neering and I wanted to do something dents, but also because of the broader programme in a new field. On top of different for my master. In the end, I perspective on innovation management that, you develop a whole lot of new chose this programme. I do not regret that it instils.’ social contacts.’ my decision, although it was not an ob- vious choice per se. Tuition fees in Ger- Would you recommend ECIU partners Cities & Sustainability: many are very low, which was not the this programme? Aalborg, Aveiro, Barcelona case for the GIM master’s programme. ‘Yes. As a PhD, I am now working on the and Hamburg. The fact that I still chose this program- follow-up to this master’s programme, me proves how motivated I was. It was together with five partner universities. ECIU partner Global Technology and In- clear that my fellow students shared This will make the programme even bet- novation Management & Entrepreneur- this intrinsic motivation.’ ter and more comprehensive.’ ship: Aalborg, Kanaus and Hamburg. Mechanical Engineering Alonso, Guillermo and Saul came all the way from Mexico to Stavanger to study mechanical engineering. They are pioneers in a new, tailor-made exchange programme for ECIU students. ‘The way of teaching is different’, says Guillermo Mortera.