On 27 November 2023, TRAIN4EU+ hosted a webinar entitled 'Transfer from academia to business and society'. The webinar, organized and hosted by Sorbonne University TRAIN4EU+ and 4EU+ local team, gathered high level representatives from 4EU+ member universities, European Commission officials, valuable socio-economic partners and more than 50 participants from across the consortium.
The webinar aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaboration and successful interactions between academia, the business sector, and society. It also offered thematic discussions on this transfer process, specifically on SSH transfer, entrepreneurship training and relations with SME’s. Focal areas included:
A dedicated session highlighting successful transitions from academia to business within 4EU+ member universities.
Distinguished speakers offering nuanced perspectives and in-depth insights on academic-business transfers, including a focus on social sciences and humanities (SSH), entrepreneurship education, and productive collaborations with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Full programme of the event
The successful event provided empirical evidence and qualitative assessments of transfer from academia to business and society, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the symbiotic relationship between academia and business. The event also served to boost a reinforced deployment of the research and innovation axis of the 4EU+Alliance.
Prof. Guillaume Fiquet
Vice-Rector International affairs, Sorbonne University
"We still have to develop and to promote the networks within the Alliance...[with the idea] to use the 4EU+ Alliance to upscale transfer research at the European level […] and to make it more efficient.”
Success stories: the event showcased multiple success stories and case studies illustrating successful academia-to-business transfers within 4EU+ member universities. These examples provided practical insights into effective collaborations and strategies utilized in the transfers.
Guidelines & policies: the discussions in the thematic approaches session may contribute to the development of frameworks or guidelines aimed at enhancing academia-business collaboration. These frameworks could include recommendations for smoother knowledge transfer and improved interaction models such as joint doctoral networks. Insights from the event could also be used to influence the development of policies or programs at different levels to promote stronger ties between academia, business, and society.
Increased Awareness: Sharing success stories and discussing collaborations through various channels contributes to raising awareness about the importance of academia-business partnerships. This increased visibility will help attract more interest and boost participation in future initiatives.