Office of Science & Technology - European Institute of Technology – More of the Same or a Promising Tool to Fight the European Innovation Paradox?
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Vol. 11: Letter from Brussels

European Institute of Technology – More of the Same or a Promising Tool to Fight the European Innovation Paradox? Print E-mail

bridges vol. 12, December 2006 / Letter from Brussels

by Martin Schmid

 


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Schmid_Martin_small The report is clear: Europe has a strong economy and a strong science base, but in turning innovation assets into innovation Europe clearly lags behind its global competitors. This is what is now called the European Paradox from which politicians and policy experts all over the Union are searching for an escape.

Against this background, the European Commission on October 18 submitted a proposal to the European Legislature to establish a European Institute of Technology (EIT) with the aim of bringing together higher education, research, and innovation. The general idea is that universities, research organizations, and companies together create joint ventures - so-called Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) - to jointly perform education, research, and innovation in a certain area.


The name is somewhat misleading, since the idea was originally inspired by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology ) as an example for Europe for combining education, research, and innovation and being successful by creating a critical mass. However, the concept of creating a large institution was dropped in the course of the discussion. The approach finally chosen will have only a small institution setting the rules and choosing KICs which would be awarded the EIT label. The education, research, and innovation will be carried out solely by KICs. The creation of KICs, which could consist of up to 1000 people, would be a bottom-up process. The participants would set up a research agenda, create a joint venture, and then apply for the EIT label which would be awarded on the basis of criteria set forth by the EIT's governing board.

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