University Transformation: Research and Knowledge Transfer

In the fifth section, we look closer at the forms of collaboration which universities are developing with their partners to make optimal use of their complementary roles and needs.

While research collaboration has been at the centre of attention of innovation processes, universities increasingly recognise the importance of coordinating the whole array of their interactions with external stakeholders from research and teaching, to start-up support, continuing education or long-term campus and urban development. Hence, they develop strategic partnerships and framework agreements to build trust and long term perspectives with close partner institutions.

Larger missions and challenges, such as the development of more sustainable urban mobility, can be more easily tackled by closely connected long-term partners who develop and implement a joint agenda for their region, as illustrated by the example from Barcelona.