Universities of Applied Sciences Netherlands
UASNL
UASNL is a collaboration of 18 Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), who work together to strengthen their European research profile.
ID: 131055136026-06
Lobbying Activity
Meeting with Antonius Manders (Member of the European Parliament)
28 Sept 2022 · Healthy education
Response to A New European Innovation Agenda
10 May 2022
As Universities of Applied Sciences Netherlands (ww.uasnl.eu), we welcome the European Comission’s effort to streamline different European policies through the lens of innovation. In our view, innovation includes novel methodologies and technologies in all fields affected by the green and digital transition. In addition, improved health, well-being, reduced social inequalities and European values should go hand in hand with the next wave of technological advancement. Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are already recognised for fostering entrepreneurial talent. However, our role in innovation ecosystems goes beyond education. Our partner institutions connect education with applied research in interdisciplinary professional settings. Thanks to our rich networks of regional public and private stakeholders, we bring knowledge into practice.
Access to finance:
We believe that the described limitations of investment rounds are not the only financial limitation for the scale-up process. In a broader sense, SMEs, industry and societal stakeholders require shorter time responses in financial instruments. UAS are well-positioned to support these stakeholders through short cycle applied research projects. Moreover, seed-financing funds within the UAS will help to bridge the gap between post-research activities and prototype development up to the point that the IPR and prototypes can be either sold or a sustainable business development can be implemented.
Framework conditions, including legislation:
We underline the Commission’s statement that innovation calls into question traditional approaches to regulation. Applied research to tackle the green and digital transition asks for all kinds of pilots, using new materials, energy sources and innovative learning environments. Therefore we welcome the creation of regulatory sandboxes in coordination with national, regional and local governance levels.
Fragmentation of the EU innovation ecosystem:
We have multiple strong examples of innovation ecosystems in the Netherlands where UAS connect stakeholders in quadruple helices, the Dutch Centres of Expertise. In the absence of operational funding to set up and maintain ecosystem infrastructures, our existing success stories rely on visionary individuals who dare to take a leap of faith. Although an innovative mindset will continue to be a prerequisite for successful innovation, we believe that funding to support ecosystem infrastructures and stronger synergies between existing funding schemes will enable more innovation ecosystems to flourish.
Innovation performance:
We welcome the support of the Commission to connect ecosystems between different parts of Europe. However, in our experience, a strong innovation ecosystem is often place-based and strongly rooted in local partnerships. Therefore, we emphasise the additional need for synergies between European and regional innovation strategies.
Talent:
A skilled work force is as much of a precondition as finance to scale-up innovations into society. UAS are crucial stakeholders in building Europe’s innovative human capital. Through our connections between education, research and the work field, we provide students with (value-based) entrepreneurial and multidisciplinary thinking and applied research skills. UAS generally draw in a more diverse student population that research-intensive universities. Inclusion deserves ongoing attention and UAS have a mission to let no talent remain untapped. In addition, UAS can play a role in reskilling and upskilling the current generation of workers in an increasingly changing labour market, as many curricula are under revision to include the necessary skills for the twin transitions.
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