Abstract

The European Universities initiative aims to transform the European higher education sector through ambitious and in-depth transnational collaboration. As bottom-up networks stretching across the EU, the European University alliances contribute to the development of an internationally competitive and attractive European Education Area (EEA). However, we often forget that European Universities also aim to amplify research and innovation (R&I), steering us in a common direction that will create a foundation for democratic, resilient, and inclusive societies, and advance the key European values of academic freedom, openness, and scientific integrity (1). This is also reflected in the dedicated Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe budgets to the European University pilots, that have topped up the Erasmus+ funding to specifically develop the R&I dimension.

The current 44 European Universities typically underline the importance of service to society in their mission. For example, partnerships are created to boost innovativeness, build an entrepreneurial university, enhance engagement with citizens, promote social change, and foster outreach within European regions. This mirrors the widely adopted quadruple helix model of innovation that combines the dynamic interactions between academia, industry, government, and civil society to constitute key elements in fostering both economic and social development.

Compared to many research-intensive universities, universities of applied sciences (UAS) are well-equipped to address societal challenges by translating research into benefits for society. Due to their problem-oriented and practice-based approach to R&I, UASs often work together with business partners, especially SMEs, citizens, and public institutions on both regional and national levels. Still, only one in four of the current European Universities have involved this type of partner(s). Among the around 340 higher education institutions involved, there are currently 14 UAS from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Latvia, and the Netherlands. In addition, there are 11 other vocational institutions of higher education with a comparable status, such as polytechnic institutes from Portugal, institutes of technology from Ireland, or university colleagues.

This session aims to initiate a discussion on the development of the R&I dimension in the European University alliances, focusing on exchanging ideas and experiences based on existing collaboration but also building a shared understanding of future directions. As a case example, we present the European University alliance Ulysseus and Haaga-Helia UAS from Finland. The main questions to be addressed in the discussion are: How important is the R&I dimension for European Universities? What role could or should UAS and other vocational institutions of higher education occupy in these alliances?

(1) See Rome Ministerial Communiqué on the European Higher Education Areas, 2020.