The Role of Universities for Economic Development in Urban Poles 1 st Open Conference 9 th February 2009, Gateshead, UK Clive Winters, Lead Expert, RUnUP

Contents Introduction State of the Art Baseline Study Partner Reports Network Synthesis Contact Details

INTRODUCTION

RUnUP Overview Cities are widely recognised as playing a fundamental role in the promotion of the knowledge economy 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. Such cities are recognised within European Union policy as playing a vital role in the implementation of the Lisbon agenda.

RUnUP Overview The network has addressed 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. 9 partner medium-sized European Cities in the Knowledge Economy Gateshead (UK)Barakaldo (ES)Campobasso (IT) Patras (GR)Solna (SE)Dunkirk (FR) Potsdam (DE)Leszno (PL)Agueda (PT)

STATE OF THE ART

The Knowledge Economy – What is the Knowledge Economy – Engaging Industry in the Knowledge Economy The Role of Universities – The traditional role of Universities in the competitiveness of the local economy – The role of Universities aligned to economic transformation The State of the Art

The role of medium-sized cities in the Knowledge economy Best Practice approaches highlighting the role of Universities in Urban Poles Conclusions The State of the Art

The Role of Universities in Economic Transformation CREATING NEW INDUSTRIES Research and Development Entrepreneurship Communication TRANSPLANTATION Education Personnel Development Supply Chain Development DIVERSIFICATION Infrastructure Partnership Development Communication MODERNISATION Personnel Development Consultancy and Knowledge Transfer Research and Development

The Role of Universities in Economic Transformation RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Technology Licensing Forefront Research ENTREPRENEURSHIP Promote/Assist entrepreneurial businesses Cultivate ties between academic researchers and local entrepreneurs COMMUNICATION Industry Identity, Standard Setting Evangelists, Conferences, Workshops, entrepreneurs forums etc

The Role of Universities in Economic Transformation EDUCATION Responsive Curricula PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT Education/Manpower development SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT Technical Assistance for sub contractors, suppliers

The Role of Universities in Economic Transformation INFRASTRUCTURE Structural Gaps PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Bridging between disconnected actors COMMUNICATION Industry Identity, Standard Setting Evangelists, Conferences, Workshops, entrepreneurs forums etc

The Role of Universities in Economic Transformation PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT Education/Manpower development CONSULTANCY AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER Problem Solving for Industry through Contract Research, Faculty Consulting etc. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Global best practice scanning Convening foresight Exercises Convening user supplier forums

BASELINE STUDY VISIT REPORTS

Baseline Report Structure Introduction Overview of the Municipality Economic Structure Role of Universities and Knowledge Transfer Partners Synthesis Moving Forward

The understanding of the concrete needs of each partner city in relation to its existing economic base and the ‘absorptive capacity’ of its firms, allowing us to map out strategies for the partner cities each with different economic starting positions. The alignment of university activity to economic transformation. Focusing on the practical role that local authorities can play in Small and Medium-Sized Cities as the vital interface between the needs of economic actors and the knowledge base. Baseline Report Structure

NETWORK SYNTHESIS

Universities are positioned as mechanisms for research and development and subsequently licensing, patenting and spin-outs (and this is reinforced in European and National policies); although this may not be where their potential for supporting local economic development truly exists. Local Government organisations see Universities primarily as vehicles for Education and Research & Development (see above) and expect them to support the development of their local economy by default although universities operate in regional, national and international markets and are not entirely (if at all) aligned to local priorities. Network Synthesis (1)

An industrial perspective examining the needs of the local economy, its modernisation, transformation, transplantation and new sector creation establishes common ground where local priorities can be articulated and the role of the university in this context can be openly explored and suitable knowledge transfer approaches defined in support of triple-helix development. Network Synthesis (2)

Creating New Industries Solna, Barakaldo, Gateshead, Campobasso, Patras Leszno New Industry Transplantation None Diversification of Industry Dunkirk, Leszno, Gateshead, Campobasso, Patras Modernisation of Industry Leszno, Gateshead, Campobasso, Barakaldo Network Synthesis (3)

Moving forward at a local level it is recommended that the partners in the Run UP network need to enhance their individual and organisational knowledge of their local and regional knowledge based institutions. In parallel with this the partners as a prerequisite to the design of new schemes and approaches for university–industry interaction need to consider defining their sector priorities and the state of industrial transformation. It is recommended that the partners with the inclusion of URBACT Local Support Group Members need to be taken to see models of best practice highlighting the new approaches of certain European Universities to university-industry interaction Network Synthesis (4)

RUnUP Moving Forward The alignment of university activity to economic transformation. Recognising that the traditional linear model of seeing universities as producers of knowledge from research and conversion into technology transfer and developing spin-outs is extremely limited. Universities can undertake much wider roles in local economies many of which are more aligned to the focus of small and medium-sized cities. The activities of RUnUP will extend and highlight the range of alternatives regarding the role of Universities in such environments. Focusing on the practical role that local authorities can play in Small and Medium-Sized Cities as the vital interface between the needs of economic actors and the knowledge base. Focus on improving the capacity of business to apply knowledge “Absorptive Capacity” from engagement in Business Support to Knowledge Transfer.

CONTACT DETAILS Dr Clive Winters Assistant Director Coventry University Enterprises Ltd The Technocentre, Puma Way Coventry University Technology Park Coventry CV1 2TT, UK Tel +44 (0) Fax +44 (0)