Workshop on Universities in regional innovation ecosystems: coherent policies for Europe beyond 2020 Organised by EUA in collaboration with Universities Estonia and Universities Finland Hosted by University of Tartu, Estonia 17 October 2017 Preliminary Programme Background 2017 marks a crucial year for universities engaged in regional innovation. European policy -makers, the university sector and many other stakeholders are taking stock of past achievements in Research and Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) with a view to defining the priorities for the post-2020 period. While the negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework are slated to start at the end of 2017, the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020 has advanced and is already paving the way for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation ( FP9 ). Organised in the framework of the activities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the goal of the workshop on universities in regional innovation ecosystems: coherent policies for Europe beyond 2020 is to develop a series of recommendations for actions to improve the effectiveness of European regional research and innovation funds, both at governance and operational levels. It will also serve as a forum to strengthen the strategic role that role of universities play in their regional innovation ecosystems, and to contribute to the shape of RIS3 beyond 2020. The workshop is addressed to university leaders (rectors, vice-rectors, heads of administration, etc.), municipal, regional and national policy-makers, and all other stakeholders interested in regional innovation. The workshop is the third in a series of workshops jointly organised by National Rectors Conferences and the European University Association on RIS3.
Tuesday 17 October 9.00-10.30 09.00-09.15 Welcome Addresses Volli Kalm, Rector of the University of Tartu, Estonia Jari Kuusisto, Rector of the University of Vaasa, Finland Peter Haring Bolívar, Chair EUA Expert Group on RIS3; Vice-Rector for Research, University of Siegen, Germany 09.15-09.45 Setting the scene: Visions for research and regional innovation in multilevel governance settings from regional to EU priorities Charlina Vitcheva, Deputy Director General, JRC, European Commission Maarit Palonen, Counsellor, Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland 09.45-10.15 Strategy and Governance in Tartu region Rein Ahas, Tartu University and Mayor Urmas Klaas, Tartu City Government 10.15-10.30 This session will focus on visions for research and regional innovation in multilevel governance settings and it will feature perspectives of policy-makers from the regional, national and European levels. Chair: Volli Kalm 10.30-11.00 Coffee break 11.00-12.15 Programming and implementing RIS3 lessons learnt and desiderata for the future 11.00-11.05 Lidia Borrell-Damian, EUA Director for Research and Innovation 11.05-11.20 Niko Kyynäräinen, CEO, Turku Science Park Smart Specialisation in Southwest Finland 11.20-11.35 Jaume Carot, Member of the EUA Expert Group on RIS3; Vice-Rector of Research and Internationalisation, University of the Balearic Islands RIS3: The Spanish Experience 11.35-11.50 Francesco Molinari, Polytechnic of Milano Thinking Smart Project: Supporting HEIs in RIS3 2
11.50-12.15 The discussion on this topic will focus on how Smart Specialisation agendas are used as a vehicle to promote regional innovation; on specific barriers and drivers of RIS3; and on the lessons learnt and desiderata for the future regarding the role of universities in the design and implementation of smart specialisation. Chair: Lidia Borrell-Damian 12.15-13.15 Lunch 13.15-14.30 13.15-13.20 The human factor in RIS3 enhancing talent creation, attraction and retention Ray O Neill, Vice-Chair EUA Expert Group on RIS3; Vice-President for Research and Innovation, Maynooth University 13.20-13.35 Jan Axelsson, Director of Collaboration and Valorization, Linköping University, Sweden Visual Sweden: A knowledge hub for R&D 13.35-13.50 Tanja Risikko, Director, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius Biovalley: Combining the expertise in Chemistry, Bioeconomy and Mineral Economy 13.50-14.05 Frédéric Benhamou, Former Vice-President for Research & Innovation, Nantes University Territorial Connections - proposal for a European programme to work in favour of ecosystems 14.05-14.30 The discussion on this topic will focus on how universities create, attract and retain talent in their innovation ecosystems through smart specialisation and on the challenges and opportunities universities face when adapting their educational, research and innovation activities to RIS3 priorities. Also, potential future visions for universities as pilot actors of interregional cooperation will be presented. Chair: Ray O Neill 14.30-15.00 Coffee break 3
15.00-16.15 15.00-15.05 Co-creation and public outreach embedding innovation ecosystems in society Peter Haring Bolivar, Chair EUA Expert Group on RIS3; Vice-Rector for Research, University of Siegen 15.05-15.20 Richard Davies, Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University Presentation on Bay Campus 15.20-15.40 Kyösti Väkeväinen, Vice-President, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Vantaa and Johanna Juselius, Senior Advisor EU Affairs, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council Co-creation and public outreach - embedding innovation ecosystems in society: Helsinki Smart Region 15.40-15.55 Kristjan Vassil, Vice Rector for Research, Tartu University Presentation on public outreach activities of Tartu University 15.55-16.15 The discussion on this topic will focus on the topic of collaboration between universities and other stakeholders across different European regions; on embedding universities and innovation ecosystems in society and on how universities can co-create and strengthen regional innovation through involvement of civil society. 16.15-16.45 Coffee break Chair: Peter Haring Bolívar 16.45-18.00 Roundtable discussion on the future EU Budget, the role of RIS3 and the shape of post-2020 policies for research and regional innovation in Europe Markku Markkula, First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions Indrek Reimand, Deputy Secretary General for Higher Education and Research, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research Matthias Weber, Head of Business Unit, Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna Tiit Land, President Universities Estonia The roundtable discussion will focus on the future of the EU Budget, the role of RIS3 in it and general outlines of post-2020 policies for research and regional innovation in Europe. The discussion will bring together views from the university sector and from regional, national and European politicians and policymakers. The opening keynote framing the prospect for the European future for the roundtable will be delivered by Markku Markkula. Chair: Rolf Tarrach, EUA President 4
18.00-18.15 Conclusions and final remarks Indrek Reimand, Deputy Secretary General for Higher Education and Research of Estonian Ministry of Education and Research 18.15-18.45 Networking drinks Workshop rapporteurs: Rita Morais and Kamila Kozirog (EUA) 5