Transcript Slide 1
THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE SET-PLAN Prof. Torbjørn Digernes, NTNU Dr. Lidia Borrell-Damian, Director for Research and Innovation, EUA Prof. Johan Driesen, KU Leuven Side Event #5 SET-Plan Conference 2014 Rome, Italy 11 December 2014, 13.00-14.30 THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE SET-PLAN Introduction Prof. Torbjørn Digernes, NTNU Agenda 3 A sharp rise in R&D is needed to realise the SET-Plan objectives • 20-20-20 Goals: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission down 20%, 20% renewable energy, 20% reduction of energy use • Energy Roadmap 2050: Reduction of GHG emissions by 8095% SET-Plan as the technology research and development pillar There is a massive need for new talent, and upgrade of the existing competencies in society for this development Candidates from the knowledge triangle - education/research/innovation can be the change agents that society needs 4 The Challenge and Need for the Coordination of Research, Education and Training Systems • • • • 5 Recruiting the best young talent for careers in the energy sector – a global market and global competition Responding to labour markets evolution – continuing education of the existing work force Making state-of-the-art education programmes with the latest knowledge available widely in Europe Integrating education, cutting edge research, and a rich innovation environment at sufficiently many locations Human resources as the limiting factor 6 • Providing forecasts of workforce requirements over the next 20 years needs new methodological approaches • Relative competiveness of technologies and of the world regions’ manufacturing sectors, as well as politically based incentives, are difficult to predict • In the first years, it will be the ability to recruit that will be the limiting factor, not the capacity to educate Work force capacity needed 7 • Successful recruiting is about showing that there is a demand for these competencies • Industry and the public sector must communicate that the sector offers attractive career opportunities • Governments must strive for good quality education and support it by providing necessary funding THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE SET-PLAN Introduction to UNI-SET Dr. Lidia Borrell-Damian, Director for Research and Innovation, EUA Prof. Johan Driesen, KU Leuven The European University Association (EUA) • EUA acts as an independent stakeholder for Europe’s Universities. • Based in Brussels as a non-governmental membership organisation. • EUA membership represents 34 European Rectors’ Conferences and over 850 individual research based higher education institutions across 46 countries. • Dual-fold role: I. II. 9 providing a forum for debate and mutual-learning though conferences and workshops, projects and specific services for the membership, and bringing empirical evidence from universities’ experiences and activities across their missions to inform the policy-making process in developing new instruments that help their strategic development and enhance their performance in addressing social, economic and civil society needs and goals. EUA’s Involvement in the SET-Plan Process • • • • 10 • European Commission Strategic Energy and Technology Plan Communication (SET Plan, 2007) announcing the creation of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) and the European Industrial Initiatives (EIIs). EUA signatory of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) as an observer – October 2008 – following a decision of the EUA Council. EUA convened a first meeting with representatives designated by the EUA National Rectors Conferences – March 2009: The European Platform of Universities Engaged in Energy (EPUE) was created. 2010: Inviting universities to enrol through a survey – 170 responded 2012: EPUE Inaugural Meeting in Delft, the Netherlands. Characteristics of the EUA-EPUE today • • • • • • 11 EPUE is an open platform for all members of EUA It entails a large group – so far 170 have announced interest in the EPUE Reaches out into all corners of the EU28 member states The survey of the enrolment process has identified over 1400 groups constituting more than 20 000 persons Within each of the SET Plan thematic areas, there are 20 to 100 active universities There is a multitude of educational programs, at all three cycles of university education (900 Master Programmes identified) EUA-EPUE Input to EC Energy-Related Policy Consultation Processes • • • • 12 SET Plan Energy Education and Training Initiative (13 Working Groups set by the European Commission) EUA-EPUE proposed the Commission to create the horizontal group on “Coordination of Education and Training Systems” (WG 13) Coordinated the creation of university Mirror Groups in all Working Groups within EUA. SET-Plan Integrated Roadmap How universities can further contribute to the energy transition • Human resource needs in numbers • • 13 Low carbon field employs approximately 9 mio people today By 2020: an additional 5 mio researchers, engineers, technicians will be needed By 2030: an additional 6.3 mio people Annually approx. 1.1 mio graduates in STEM fields Beyond STEM: legal and regulatory experts, project managers, policy-makers etc. with in-depth, energy-related knowledge are essential for a successful transformation of the energy system Universities offer Master programmes, Doctorates, and conduct energy-related research Untapped potential: Universities in Europe can mobilise their research and educational capacities Objectives of UNI-SET 14 • Strengthen strategic basic research in Europe’s universities – “use-inspired” basic research in energy • Build bridges between basic research and innovation • Integrate education, research and innovation activities • Develop cross-national education and training programme • Develop continuing education and training for the existing workforce • Foster multidisciplinary research in areas such as system integration and socio-economic aspects. • Enhance the contribution of universities in the SET-Plan at EU policy level Project consortium • • • 15 European University Association, main beneficiary/coordinator KU Leuven (project partner) representing the universities in KIC InnoEnergy Funded as an FP7 Coordination and Support Action UNI-SET: Work packages 2015 2016 2017 16 2nd phase 2014 1st phase Total of 36 months 09/2014 – 08/2017 UNI-SET Activities • Gather data on Master, Doctoral and research programmes (number of programmes, students, disciplines, SETPlan areas, etc.) • Develop web-based maps of university research and education in the energy field. • • Identify professional profiles Organise at least five clustering events to provide a basis for discussing further development of energy-related curricula and study programmes on the Master and Doctorate level. Convene a critical mass of research capacities for new collaborative and multidisciplinary research activities across Europe. 17 (Example) KIC InnoEnergy in UNI-SET 18 KIC InnoEnergy in UNI-SET • • • 19 Strong in university-business links and collaboration Contribution: identify professional profiles in the energy field in six different thematic fields Taken together with the university mapping, UNI-SET will provide unique insights into current labour market requirements and education offered at universities Profile identification Master programmes Doctoral programmes New insights into energy labour market Potential strategies to close the ‘skills gap’ Expected impact of UNI-SET (I) • More universities to educate candidates for the industry and the public sector programmes with curricula informed with recent research-based knowledge engaging with industry and research institutes • Education programs for new multidisciplinary competence profiles prepared to address • 20 energy system integration societal aspects related to the energy system transition University networks engaging in cooperation in long term ‘use-inspired’ basic research for energy Expected impact of UNI-SET (II) • • • • • 21 Coordination of input for policy development and external dialogues Advocacy and dialogue with the European Commission and other European policy stakeholders Cooperation with the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Strengthen cooperation with industrial partners Assisting development of international (outside-EU) cooperation Discussion 22