Berlin – (business wire) — A major innovator in science has urged European universities and higher education institutions to revolutionize their innovation efforts to effectively tackle climate change. Dr. Riam Kanso, founder and CEO of Conception X, will be the keynote speaker at his INNOVEIT Stockholm: Innovation in Higher Education on September 15th. The event is coordinated and led by He EIT RawMaterials, the world’s largest consortium on raw materials funded by the European Union Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT).

INNOVEIT Registration for in-person or virtual attendance in Stockholm is now open.

A net zero carbon footprint by 2050 means that new innovations in technology and energy are urgently needed. These innovations primarily come from universities and higher education institutions. The EIT Higher Education Institutions Initiative (EIT HEI) provides funding and support for higher education institutions to grow their research and development capabilities, foster entrepreneurship activities and synergies with industry players. Many of them are aimed at accelerating deep tech and energy innovations coming to market (start-ups and spin-offs).

The EIT HEI Initiative, titled ‘Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education’, is a unique model that connects researchers and higher education with industry/business. This initiative is a major goal of the EIT as part of his new seven-year strategy for 2021-2027. The program supports higher education institutions with expertise and coaching, access to the EIT innovation ecosystem, and funding to increase capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship activities in European higher education institutions.

Dr. Kanso: Urgent Advancement Needed for Innovation in Higher Education

Dr. Kanso’s company, Conception X, has a mission to complement the EIT HEI initiative. Conception X is an independent not-for-profit organisation, working closely with over 30 universities across the UK to identify and train aspiring PhDs from leading research institutes and provide innovation grants, awards and incentives. We help you qualify for venture capital funding. Through a nine-month deep tech venture program, PhD students explore ways to commercialize their research while at university.

Dr Kanso says such a new model is needed to unlock Europe’s potential as a hotspot for meaningful innovation. Especially as Europe’s 2050 net-zero emissions deadline is fast approaching.

Dr. Kanso said: However, the current system of disseminating this knowledge by publishing papers can hinder progress. Research and innovation must come together to create a model that reinforces and advances each other. ”

Bernd Schäfer, CEO of EIT RawMaterials, emphasizes: Our His EIT HEI initiative was founded to enable higher education institutions to become engines of innovation and foster sustainable growth and employment. The initiative will bring together European education, research and industry leaders to strengthen innovation in higher education, with the aim of solving some of the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change. ”

Commenting on the EIT HEI initiative, Dr. Kanso said: The more allies you have and the stronger your connections, the easier it will be to achieve. Network initiatives like EIT HEI are very important. ”

INNOVEIT: Stockholm – Focus on Innovation in Higher Education

This hybrid event highlights the ongoing work of the EIT’s HEI initiative. The discussion will focus on how the EIT HEI initiative ties in with EIT-labeled education programs for advanced innovation and talent, and enhanced innovation capacity building.

All active projects selected in both EIT HEI cohort 1 (starting in July 2021) and cohort 2 (starting in July 2022) will participate in the event. The HEI Initiative Network has 23 active Cohort 1 projects and 26 active Cohort 2 projects. The Cohort 1 project will share best practices and methodologies learned so far to enhance innovation capacity in European higher education institutions.

Dr. Tamer Abu-Alam is the Project Coordinator of CloudEARTHi, one of the Cohort 1 projects funded by the EIT HEI Initiative, and an academic at UiT, Artic University in Norway.

Dr. Abu Alam said the EIT HEI initiative and initiatives like this event are very important. Because we can only decarbonize Europe if industry, research and higher education work closely together.

“No solution to the climate crisis can be achieved without stakeholders coming together. We are all tackling the same problem, but from different perspectives. And that is why the Stockholm event is so important, because it allows everyone to come together, present their perspectives, innovate on this basis, and work together to tackle this challenge.”

The CloudEARTHi project guides students on how to create business plans in line with the European Green Deal and how to use big data to address gaps in business models. In just two months, one student has started a business recycling her computer components. This activity will help provide the EU with the specific raw materials needed for the transition to the environment.

Dr. Tamer Abu-Alam will also participate in the panel discussion “EIT HEI Initiative: Good Practices for Building Innovation Capacity”.

The event is an integral part of INNOVEIT WEEKS, a series of events showcasing how EIT, Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, offers unique opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs, empowering solutions to global challenges. It’s a part.

INNOVEIT Registration for in-person or virtual attendance in Stockholm is now open.

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Note to editors

European Institute of Innovation Technology (EIT)

The EIT is an EU institution and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation. The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT knowledge and innovation communities among leading companies, research institutes and universities. EIT is Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem and he brings together nearly 3,000 partners from top business, research and education organizations in his 200+ hubs across Europe. Over 3,800 students have graduated from EIT-labeled masters and doctoral programs, and over 100,000 students have attended entrepreneurship training in his EIT community.

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EIT HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education

The EIT HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education is a joint EIT community program led by EIT RawMaterials, one of EIT’s knowledge innovation communities. The initiative aims to support higher education institutions with expertise and coaching, access to the EIT innovation ecosystem, and funding to develop innovation action plans tailored to the needs of individual higher education institutions. I’m doing it. In July 2021, 23 projects started their activities after the EIT HEI Initiative Pilot Call. The EIT HEI initiative aims to support 550 higher education institutions by 2027 to foster European innovation in higher education and drive the twin transition to a more sustainable, digital and competitive Europe. I am aiming.

eit-hei.eu

EIT raw materials

The aim of EIT RawMaterials is to ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials by promoting innovation, education and entrepreneurship across the European industrial ecosystem. By connecting business with academia, research and investment, EIT RawMaterials provides a collaborative environment for disruptive and breakthrough innovation. We also invest in the next generation of innovators in the raw materials sector through initiatives ranging from student education to higher qualifications for industry professionals.

The company is committed to supporting Europe’s transition to a circular, green and digital economy while enhancing its global competitiveness and securing jobs. Based on this foundation, EIT RawMaterials has been mandated by the European Commission to lead and manage the European Materials Alliance (ERMA).

EIT RawMaterials – Developing raw materials into a leading European strength. Connection is key!

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