Getting the best out of national innovation systems
University presidents and innovation leaders from Canada, Israel and Germany share ideas for higher education, research and innovation
OTTAWA – An international gathering of university and research leaders in Ottawa this week will discuss national innovation systems and how they help universities drive the advancements that build prosperity. University presidents and innovation experts from Canada, Israel and Germany gathering Oct. 27 and 28 for an international policy dialogue entitled, Optimizing Canada’s Innovation system: Perspectives from abroad, hosted by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
“Universities are an integral part of the innovation systems that improve quality of life and drive economic growth,” says Professor Peretz Lavie, president of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. “Sharing successes and lessons learned through this kind of dialogue will help us enhance how our countries support medical breakthroughs, solutions to social challenges and the commercialization of research.”
The two-day conference focuses on three major themes: increasing risk-tolerance in research funding; catalysing international research collaboration; and facilitating new forms of collaboration between universities, the private sector and their surrounding communities.
Enno Aufderheide, secretary general of Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, an agency that funds international research collaboration,sees the meeting not only as a place to share insights and ideas, but also to build and strengthen partnerships. “Our countries already have successful collaboration in research and innovation, but there’s more we can do. This is a welcome opportunity to reach beyond our own institutions and create the alliances, partnerships and initiatives needed to address the challenges facing our world.”
David Barnard, president of the University of Manitoba and chair of AUCC, says the gathering will help strengthen existing partnerships among Canada, Israel and Germany in the areas of research and innovation, and forge new ones as well. “There is growing international recognition that advanced research must be collaborative, and that achieving research excellence in any field demands drawing together world-wide expertise.”
The policy dialogue is part of AUCC’s continuing series of international conversations about higher education, research and innovation. It builds on an inaugural policy dialogue held in June 2013, which brought together higher education leaders from around the world to examine the forces shaping universities’ academic and research missions.
AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, representing the interests of 97 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university degree-level colleges.
-30-
About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.
Media contact:
Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
[email protected]
Related news
-
BCDI 2030 launches second round of funding for scholarship projects for study in Canada
-
Universities are advancing technology through international partnerships
-
Universities Canada's response to Minister Miller's announcement on international student caps
-
How international research partnerships are helping us tackle world health issues
