BAB 033/20: Enhancing capacity of universities to initiate and participate in clusters development on innovation and sustainability principles (ERASMUS Project UniClaD)

Initial situation

Participation in clusters enables higher education institutions to provide students at different performance levels with practical activities in various projects. In addition, the link to specific projects also creates prospects for subsequent employment for students. In addition, applied research can be better geared to the real needs of companies and may also attract additional financial resources. Many higher education institutions are already involved in cluster structures, but these often only have theoretical links and no real activities. They often only exist as associations within individual sectors, are thematically and spatially very limited and do not follow the actual purpose.

Objective

The overall objective of the project is to develop the potential at higher education institutions for increased participation in clusters with agribusiness enterprises. This is to take place at various educational levels (Master's, PhD). Companies, science and education are to be sensitized in this regard in order to create interesting educational offers within clusters. This also requires adapted administrative structures, research work that is adapted to real needs as far as possible and organizational forms that promote innovation and are based on sustainability principles.

Status of the project

Following the preparations and the development of theoretical foundations in the first year of the project, the planned work processes were specified and work was carried out on the planning of study tours, workshops, the necessary foundations for the establishment of expertise centers and pilot projects as well as the development of study courses. As in 2020, there were particular challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so some activities based on face-to-face meetings were postponed to 2022. As a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, the activities that had already been planned in detail could not be carried out again. The project was suspended until December 2022 and continued from January 2023. Planned study tours for the project participants from Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova were carried out in several countries. A one-week study tour was also organized in Austria, where guests from Ukraine were introduced to practical activities and theoretical approaches. A project steering committee meeting was held in Spain as well as several online meetings to coordinate the work.

Work 2024

In 2024, participation in workshops and steering committee meetings in Poland, Moldova and Azerbaijan is planned, as far as the political situation there allows. Documents for these are to be prepared as well as work on publications on the project results.

Schedule

Project start: 01/2020
Project end: 12/2024

Documents on the project:

Report on the Austrian Study Tour:
UniClaD AT Study Tour

Information on the project:
UniClaD: http://uniclad.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniClaDErasmusplusKA2/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnicladE

Newsletter:
Newsletter UniClaD April 2020  http://uniclad.net/sites/default/files/Newsletter/UniClaD%20newsletter%201%20April%202020.pdf
Newsletter UniClaD Oktober 2020 http://uniclad.net/sites/default/files/Newsletter/UniClaD%20newsletter%202%20October%202020.pdf
Newsletter UniClaD April/Mai 2021  http://uniclad.net/sites/default/files/Newsletter/UniClaD%203rd%20Newsletter%20April%20May%202021.pdf