Innovation for European Regions

UAS4Europe is a network of 450 universities of applied sciences from 24 European countries that has committed itself to promoting innovation in European regions.

This week, the fundamental document for the initiative was presented in Brussels. Hannes Raffaseder, CEO of the St. Pölten UAS, was a member of the expert group responsible for the paper’s development.

The Importance of Universities of Applied Sciences

The “UAS’ers Guide to building innovative ecosystems” sets forth the central role played by universities of applied sciences in the establishment and strengthening of innovation in regional ecosystems.

It is in the training of young talents, the development of promotional framework conditions for the foundation of businesses, and in the networking between relevant players and stakeholders in the regions that this comes into particular effect.

The power of universities of applied sciences as platforms for networking and collaboration is emphasised strongly in this context – according to the guide, it is universities of applied sciences, above all, that make it possible to establish new national and international networks and opportunities for collaboration.

Making Use of Synergies

Within the framework of the event, Hannes Raffaseder also presented the European University E³UDRES² under the auspices of the St. Pölten UAS. United under the title “Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions”, nine European universities have come together for long-term cooperation.

The objective is to support small and medium-sized European towns in becoming “smart and sustainable regions”: regions that are fit for the future, that offer their citizens the best possible quality of life, and that stand for a progressive European society. Raffaseder understands universities of applied sciences as “platforms for collaborative innovation”.

“Universities of applied sciences are tightly anchored in their environment. Due to their size, they can react flexibly to economic and societal developments. In other words, we are closer to the needs of the people, which enables us to work on solutions to future problems”, explains Raffaseder.