HEInnovate Towards more entrepreneurial and innovative HEIs

Academic Cooperation Association What's new in Brussels? Recent developments in European Policies and Programmes

Brussels, 3 February 2015

Why is there a need for more entrepreneurial and innovative HEIs?

1. Changing nature of an HEI

2. Unemployment and underemployment of graduates

3. Internationalisation

4. Budgetary constraints

5. From knowledge transfer to knowledge exchange

6. From passive interdependence to active stakeholder engagement

7. From „why“ to „how“ in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through education

• European Commission University Business Forum 2011 - need for guidance and a clear framework for HEI's wishing to be more entrepreneurial

• Value of a common European framework to guide HEI's in this process

• European Commission convened an external expert panel in collaboration with the OECD

• An online self-assessment tool was developed – HEInnovate

• Launched in November 2013

Background

• A self-assessment and reference framework for HEI's who want to explore their entrepreneurial and innovation potential and further develop it;

• Based on solid policy evidence and experience;

• Open to all HEI's worldwide;

HEInnovate is NOT:

• a survey;

• a ranking system;

• a benchmarking system;

HEInnovate IS:

HEI:

– Can assess and gauge internal perceptions in a systematic manner;

– Diagnose strengths and weaknesses; contrast evolution over time;

– Access high-quality learning materials (case studies, guidance notes etc)

Policy:

– establishes a reference framework for a more entrepreneurial and innovative higher education institution;

– flexible and adaptable tool;

– a means to create awareness among HEIs;

Benefits

Structure & Scope – 7 Dimensions

• Leadership and Governance • Organisational Capacity, People and Incentives • Entrepreneurship Development in Teaching and Learning • Pathways for Entrepreneurs • University – Business / External Relationships for Knowledge

Exchange

• The Entrepreneurial HEI as an Internationalised Institution

• Measuring the Impact

Results so far

• More than 600 HEIs have undertaken a self-assessment up to date;

• Wide geographical coverage;

• ~ 20 HEInnovate workshops: HR; DE; SE; ES; PL; HU; CY; RO; IE;

• Multiple independent HEI-led initiatives across EU;

• 1 OECD National Policy Reviews 2014 (Bulgaria);

• 3 OECD National Workshops (Lithuania, Italy, Portugal);

• HEInnovate Group of facilitators set up;

What users say about HEInnovate…

"Entrepreneurship in higher education can be seen as a complex and diverse field. […] This self-

assessment will help the institutions to design strategies for becoming more entrepreneurial in

a comprehensive manner." ---Torild Nilsen Mohn, Higher Education

Coordinator, JA-YE Norway

"I enjoy using HEInnovate because it takes a holistic approach to the development of the whole institutions and the surrounding entrepreneurial eco-system."

---Mikkel Trym, Director of CIEL, Denmark

What users say about HEInnovate…

"Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tallaght and Institute of Technology Blanchardstown are coming together and seeking to create Ireland’s first Technological University in the Dublin region. The HEInnovate self-assessment tool is being used to track stakeholder perceptions of how entrepreneurial the new institution is as the transformation project unfolds.

---Pat O’Donnell, TU4Dublin, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Ireland

What users say about HEInnovate…

"Using HEInnovate is a great tool for taking stock of where an institution currently is on its journey to becoming more entrepreneurial. It challenges perceptions, initiates dialogue and encourages action."

--- Professor Paul D. Hannon, Director, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Swansea University, Wales, UK

What users say about HEInnovate…

Next steps

• Improvement of HEInnovate based on feedback and consultation;

• Explore role of HEInnovate for supporting HEIs through Structural Funds;

• 5 OECD National Policy Reviews:

– Ireland, Poland (2015) + three more Member States;

• Further dissemination and promotion;

• HEInnovate flagship conference planned for early 2016;

Thank you. Any questions?

HEInnovate.eu

What is an entrepreneurial HEI?

A working definition by A Gibb (2013)

The entrepreneurial HEI is …

• designed to empower students and staff to demonstrate enterprise, innovation and creativity in teaching, research and third mission

• its activities are directed to enhance learning, knowledge production and exchange in a highly complex and changing societal environment

• as an organisation, it is dedicated to create public value via processes of open engagement