Conference

NEW SKILLS FOR A EUROPEAN BIOECONOMY

20-21 November 2012, Brussels Session 2:

Aligning Science and Innovation with Global Challenges and Bioeconomy needs - skills for scientists Josef Glössl University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria (BOKU University, Vienna) [email protected], www.boku.ac.at 09.07.2012

How to align science and innovation activities to address global challenges?

Global Challenges

: e.g.

 Sustainable management of natural resources  Sustainable production  Improving public health  Mitigating climate change  etc.

Important to consider:

 Environmental concerns and sustainability are not just a burden for economy, but can be a source of growth and new jobs.  Education, science and innovation as key drivers for a knowledge based bio-economy 

Important role of universities for the development of new skills 2

Interlinking Natural Sciences, Technology & Socio-Economics:

BOKU University – Themes and Competences

Soil and terrestrial ecosystems Water – Atmosphere Environment Living space and landscape Development of the Living Space Management of Natural Resources Resources and societal dynamics Nanosciences & - technology Securing Nutrition and Health Renewable raw materials, resources oriented technologies Food – nutrition health Biotechnology 3

How to align science and innovation activities to address global challenges?



Role of universities

   

Education

 Involvement of stakeholders in curriculum development

Research

 Excellent fundamental research as a key driver for innovation

Knowledge and technology transfer

  Inclusion of business skills in curricula

Innovation

 IP (Intellectual Property) strategies at universities

Internationalization:

 Development of the university beyond its national boundaries  In its region and globally  Strengthening the development of international cooperative networks with both European and non-European countries  (especially in the field of development assistance) Cooperation with international organisations (e.g. UN, FAO, IIASA)

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High Potential of Bioeconomy in the Danube Region:

The Danube Region:

    20% of the area of the EU 115 Mill people living in the region 3 Mill. students!!!

The Danube region is one of the regions in Europe with the highest

potential

for further

economic development



Biomass 30%

production could be increased by app. in a sustainable way

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What can science, research and academia do?



Synergetic effects

within and between the Danube Region universities have to be strengthened   Establishing

firm long-term co-operations

based on the never completely cut links in academia in the region  Development of

higher eduction institutions

 Improve the

technological basis

for economic development  Aiming at improving for 

young scientists



scientific infrastructure

fighting the brain drain  and chances

brain circulation 6

An example: ICA Regional Network for Central and South Eastern Europe (“ICA-CASEE”)

 Is a network of Central and South Eastern European Higher Education Institutions relating to the Life Science disciplines (agriculture, food, biotechnology, natural resources, rural development and the environment)  Was founded by BOKU University, Vienna, in 2010  The

objectives

of network are:    to support the development and implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) to strengthen research, education and University Development in this region to develop joint research, educational and other projects www.ica-europe.info/casee

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ICA-CASEE Geographical Coverage 09.07.2012

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Reasons for creating the ICA-CASEE network

 Enormous challenges for

university development

  Bologna process Excellence in research, education and university management (increasing competition between higher education institutions!) 

Specific challenges for life science universities

the future development of mankind  to develop the basis for

Bioeconomy

   Food and water security, environmental protection Sustainable use of natural resources (soil, bioresources, water,..) Development of

high-end technological methods in biotechnology

(

biorefinery, renewable energy,...

.)   Landscape development; urban and landscape planning And many more.....

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Joint educational activities in the ICA CASEE network: „Danube Master“

 Establishing a common master curriculum on

“Sustainability of Agriculture, Food production and Food Technology in the Danube Region”

   Consortium of 5-6 life science universities in the Danube region The curriculum will cover topics important for the further development of the region with respect to agriculture and the complete value chain. Students will stay at least at two different universities and

countries

 to learn more about regional challenges  to foster the cultural understanding.

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Specific knowledge and skills stimulated in the „Danube Master“

    Focus areas:    Intercultural Learning Sustainable Rural and Regional Development Policy Food Safety, Food Technology and Food Quality and Consumer Sciences  Biodiversity, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture Soil and Water Biotechnology Regional Specialities Sustainable Energy Systems

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DRC – Danube Rectors Conference

   Established in 1983 Members: 54 higher education institutions from 13 countries General aims:  improvement of higher education in teaching and research in the region  advancement of member universities by establishing and facilitating bilateral and multilateral contacts between the universities   DRC Presidency changes annually Annual DRC Conference:   Nov. 2011: at BOKU, Vienna Nov. 2012: at CULS, Prague  Involvement in the Priority Area working groups of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

http://www.d-r-c.org 12

CDR - Centre for Development Research at BOKU University

 The CDR is a multi-disciplinary scientific unit located at BOKU, founded 2009  It brings together a multidisciplinary network of over twenty scientists from BOKU  The CDR engages in national and international networks such as the AGRINATURA (The European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development) and the Commission for Development Studies (KEF)  The CDR collaborates with a wide range of partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America  It conducts applied development research and training in areas related to sustainable natural resource management.  The CDR works towards poverty reduction, food security, and well being for the most vulnerable population

www.cdr.boku.ac.at

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General Conclusions: The development of a European Bioeconomy requires new science policies and important new skills, fostering:

  Integrated approaches of research, education and co-operation Academia - Industry   innovation process Complementary partnerships between universities, research centres , …  joint curricula Inter- and multidsiciplinary approaches  …..

 Knowledge and technology transfer  Development of sustainability as a big chance for economic development:  

Multidisciplinary integration of traditional approaches with high end (bio)technologies is a key issue in the development of a European Bioeconomy

 Public awareness, communication science – society

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Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU)

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

Prof. Dr. Josef Glössl Vice Rector for Research and International Research Collaboration [email protected]

www.boku.ac.at

09.07.2012

09.07.2012

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