Abstract

Innovation is essential for universities to fulfil their missions as knowledge creators, students’ educators and to remain competitive in addressing societal challenges and adapt to an ever-changing world. Innovation is an integral part of higher education, enabling universities to drive progress, contribute to knowledge, and prepare future generations for a rapidly evolving landscape.
Never before has innovation been seen as important as it is now, with the need to stand alongside the two traditional pillars of research and education.
It is needed to drive a transformation in the university approach by transitioning from the mere use of research and education indicators to a results-driven paradigm anchored in innovation indicators and incentives.
Faculty of Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has developed a strategy and implementation plan, the “Let’s Talk Innovation” that revolves around the development of an innovation-centric culture: involve, lead, communicate, encompassing a large number of complementary mechanisms, including innovation competitions for bachelor and masters, innovation scholarships targeting Ph.D. candidates, short courses, and immersive innovation boot camps to name a few.
Central to our approach is the organic development of innovation culture and competencies, grounded in a bottom-up approach through tailored pilot programs, strategically calibrated to the particular needs identified within various departments and leaded by the departments itself – 8 pilots with yearly targets, evaluation and budget.
The main aim of this presentation is to showcase the pilots, their aim, their approaches and their outcomes, lessons learned and the way forward. We hope that these cases will offer some inspiration and examples of how to develop the innovative mindset of researchers in any Research Performing Organization.