UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND

1
Innovation through Research Opportunities

• Ágúst H. Ingthórsson
• Michael Dee

2
Background

• Regional Innovation Systems (RIS)
• National analysis, using a proven EU model of
  identifying challenges
• Identified key issues
• Economic growth though improved competitiveness
  of Latvia
• Knowledge and culture at the core
• EU added value Accelerating development by
  working together

3
Overview

• Three schemes developed after a dialogue between
  Iceland, Ireland and the Latvian partners
• Competency Centre
• Innovation Culture
• Skills Centres
• At the suggestion of LIAA took the form of
  programme proposals

4
Competency Centre Proposal

• Wish to improve competitiveness
• Understanding the fragmented research base
• Understanding and recognising a lack of
  cooperation between key innovation actors
• Tension between a regional and a national
  perspective
• Tension between industry driven agenda and
  academic agenda

5
Resulting in

• A Competency Centre Programme Proposal that will
  have significant impact on the national economy
• Key national players in few Centres
• International standards in evaluation of
  Scientific quality
• Important joint research and development and
  infrastructure projects

6
The INTRO experience

• The linear picture of knowledge transfer is not
  accurate
• The analysis of the problems had already been
  carried out
• The role of the external advisor is to be a
  facilitator in a national (alien) context
• EU projects must be flexible and non-linear
  this we have tried in INTRO
• We have learned a lot from this project

7
Innovation Culture

• Motivated by an understanding that culture
  affects competitiveness
• Risk adverse rather than entrepreneurial
• Lack of self-confidence
• Lack of cooperation between actors
• There is a need to build up a social
  infrastructure that supports innovation culture
  in Latvia

8
Innovation Culture Programme

• Local, regional and national structure to support
  actions
• Supportive financial institutions and government
  departments
• Knowledge Transfer from Education to Enterprise
  is well developed
• Widespread media coverage of entrepreneurial and
  innovative companies

9
Skills Centre Motivated by ...

• Lack of training skills to meet the needs of
  industry low productivity
• Significant gap identified in the wood-working
  and metalwork sectors in Latvia
• Need to develop human infrastructure to ensure
  increased research
• Lack of motivation in the private sector to
  invest in education and training infrastructure
• No national certification of skills

10
Resulting in ...

• Skills Centre Programme proposal that has the
  potential to provide a wide range of services to
  the labour market
• Training Retraining
• Designated Apprenticeships
• Recruitment Services
• Employment Schemes
• Placement Guidance Services
• Assistance to Community Groups