The Final Conference of the GIENAHS project, which took place on April 26, 2021, and was held online, was successfully completed.
The conference opened with the first session chaired by the Rector of the Polytechnic University of Bari, Prof. Francesco Cupertino, who also addressed the Conference, coordinating the whole effort as well as Mrs. Maria Palladino from the European Commission. Representatives of the collaborating Universities, representatives of the EU commission and EU organizations, policy makers, Academics, Researchers, representatives of the media, associations, and chambers participated with their speeches.
In the second session chaired by Prof. Chrysostomos Stylios, from the University of Ioannina, Greece, were presented the results of the project to enhance the interaction and cooperation between Universities and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). More specifically were presented:
- Best practices between HEIs and SMEs at European level
- A model methodology for the optimal cooperation of universities and SMEs with the aim of co-creating knowledge and innovation.
- An innovative methodological approach to the design of industrial Ph.D. dissertations based on the specific needs of European SMEs.
- The structure of the proposed Industrial PhD.
- The harmonization of European processes and incentives related to the industry in order to support the mobility of researchers in the business.
The proposed observatory of universities and SMEs / Industrial Associations, which aims at constructive cooperation between SMEs, Universities, and researchers, multiplying and creating new attractive employment opportunities and contributing to the promotion of industrial research in European SMEs. The speakers underlined that the Industrial Ph.D. is an opportunity for SMEs, highlighting the benefits of interaction between universities and SMEs and focused on the opportunities that arise for both. In addition, the EU’s emphasis on initiatives focusing on strengthening the link between SMEs and universities across Europe, with the ultimate goal of providing more opportunities for young researchers, was emphasized.
In the very constructive discussion that followed, it was pointed out that the results and proposals that emerged from the GIENAHS project meet the needs of SMEs for innovation and contribute to the interaction of Universities and SMEs, in order to establish a long-term cooperation relationship through the establishment of the Industrial Ph.D.
