Project promoting University-Business sector cooperation at Regional level: Knowledge Transfer
Finland , 2006 to Ongoing
Compendium: University Business Forum (UBF)
Background
The regional development project (Korkeakoulut seutukunnissa) coordinated by the Centre for Extension Studies of the University of Turku supports regional development and strengthens SMEs’ competitiveness through improving availability of higher education, research and development services of the seven higher education institutions located in Turku. The project looks for structural and operational models to enhance regional engagement of the HEIsAims and targets
The 7 higher education institutions in Turku area joined forces to promote regional development in the following four areas set out in the Strategy for Regional Development 2006 – 2012:- Social responsibility: the HEIs work together to improve well-being, social and cultural capital and the prospects for sustainable development in the region
- Internationality: the HEIs promote internationalisation of the region and develop international cooperation
- Entrepreneurship: the HEIs work together to further entrepreneurship in the region
- Cooperation between HEIs: the HEIs strengthen their mutual cooperation for the benefit of the region
Strategy and actions
The main practice has been to integrate HEI services offered to SMEs (R&D, continuing education, laboratory premises etc.) with public business services relating to taxation, funding, starting business etc. Close cooperation with regional business advisors has also been fruitful. Knowledge management and operational models inside the HEIs: the identified need is to build the knowledge management system focusing on quality and quantity of business cooperation beside the traditional academic structure that gives quantitative information on doctoral thesis, graduated students and scientific publications. Researchers work quite individually according to their own interests and then the business cooperation is either involved or not. It is difficult to handle all this information at the university level. This kind of system should also identify the innovations that match with the business challenges as quickly as possible.Monitoring and evaluation
Funding/Cost effectiveness
- Financing by the city of Turku in 2007: €45.000
- Financing by the Ministry of Education in 2008: €30.000
Sustainability/Transferability
The approach is well embedded in the operations of the HEIs, and there is a long-standing co-operation network with similar activities involving Turku and West Estonia.Outcomes/impacts
Achievements
The central outcome of the project has been the network of sub-regional higher education coordinators. These post-holders coordinate issues relating to higher education and research within the sub-region, and transfer education and research needs of the SMEs, municipalities and communities to the relevant contacts in higher education institutions. The higher education coordinator acts as a single contact point in the sub region in respect of issues of higher education. This person is a “middle-man” between the entrepreneur and academic society, trying to solve communication and cooperation problems rising from different starting points and viewpoints. The project has emphasised face-to-face meetings and personal consultancy between sub-regional higher education coordinators and local entrepreneurs.p>Success factors
One success factor has been the clarity of the role of the project in identifying and developing synergies, benefits and new operational models out of partners’ current activities and aims.Unintended impacts
Strengths and weaknesses
The cooperation between HEIs brings synergy, reducing overlap in education and research. The needs of the regions can be met as education, research and development work can be specially tailored to fit those needs.
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