Josef Glössl University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

1. Session 2: Aligning Science and Innovation with Global Challenges and Bioeconomy needs - skills for scientists Conference NEW SKILLS FOR A EUROPEAN BIOECONOMY 20-21 November 2012, Brussels Josef Glössl University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria (BOKU University, Vienna) josef.gloessl@boku.ac.at, www.boku.ac.at 1

2. How to align science and innovation activities to address global challenges? • Global Challenges: e.g. • Sustainable management of natural resources • Sustainable production • Improving public health • Mitigating climate change • etc. • Important to consider: • Environmental concerns and sustainability are not just a burden for economy, but can be a source of growth and new jobs. • Education, science and innovation as key drivers for a knowledge-based bio-economy • Important role of universities for the development of new skills

3. Interlinking Natural Sciences, Technology & Socio-Economics: BOKU University – Themes and Competences Water – Atmosphere - Environment Soilandterrestrialecosystems Living spaceandlandscape Development of the Living Space Management of Natural Resources Renewablerawmaterials, resourcesorientedtechnologies Resources andsocietaldynamics Securing Nutrition andHealth Nanosciences & - technology Food – nutrition - health Biotechnology

4. How to align science and innovation activities to address global challenges? Role of universities • Education • Involvement of stakeholders in curriculum development • Research • Excellent fundamental research as a key driver for innovation • Knowledge and technology transfer  Innovation • Inclusion of business skills in curricula • IP (Intellectual Property) strategies at universities • Internationalization: • Development of the university beyond its national boundaries • In its region and globally • Strengthening the development of international cooperative networks with both European and non-European countries (especially in the field of development assistance) • Cooperation with international organisations (e.g. UN, FAO, IIASA)

5. High Potential of Bioeconomy in the Danube Region: The Danube Region: • 20% oftheareaofthe EU • 115 Mill peopleliving in theregion • 3 Mill. students!!! • The Danuberegionisoneoftheregions in Europe withthehighestpotentialforfurthereconomicdevelopment • Biomassproductioncouldbeincreasedbyapp. 30% in a sustainableway

6. What can science, research and academia do? • Synergetic effects within and between the Danube Region universities have to be strengthened • Establishingfirm long-term co-operationsbased on thenevercompletelycut links in academia in theregion • Development ofhighereductioninstitutions • Improvethetechnologicalbasisforeconomicdevelopment • Aimingatimprovingscientificinfrastructureandchancesforyoungscientists • fightingthebraindrainbraincirculation

7. An example: ICA Regional Network for Central and South Eastern Europe (“ICA-CASEE”) • Is a network of Central and South Eastern European Higher Education Institutions relating to the Life Science disciplines (agriculture, food, biotechnology, natural resources, rural development and the environment) • Was founded by BOKU University, Vienna, in 2010 • The objectives of network are:  • to support the development and implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) • to strengthen research, education and University Development in this region • to develop joint research, educational and other projects www.ica-europe.info/casee

8. ICA-CASEE Geographical Coverage

9. Enormous challenges for university development Bologna process Excellence in research, education and university management (increasing competition between higher education institutions!) Reasons for creating the ICA-CASEE network • Specific challenges for life science universities to develop the basis for the future development of mankind  Bioeconomy • Food and water security, environmental protection • Sustainable use of natural resources (soil, bioresources, water,..) • Development of high-end technological methods in biotechnology (biorefinery, renewable energy,....) • Landscape development; urban and landscape planning • And many more.....

10. Joint educational activities in the ICA-CASEE network: „Danube Master“ • Establishing a common master curriculum on “Sustainability of Agriculture, Food production and Food Technology in the Danube Region” • Consortium of 5-6 life science universities in the Danube region • The curriculum will cover topics important for the further development of the region with respect to agriculture and the complete value chain. • Students will stay at least at two different universities and countries • to learn more about regional challenges • to foster the cultural understanding.

11. Specific knowledge and skills stimulated in the „Danube Master“ Focus areas: • Intercultural Learning • Sustainable Rural and Regional Development Policy • Food Safety, Food Technology and Food Quality and Consumer Sciences • Biodiversity, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture • Soil and Water • Biotechnology • Regional Specialities • Sustainable Energy Systems

12. DRC – Danube Rectors Conference • Established in 1983 • Members: 54 higher education institutions from 13 countries • General aims: • improvement of higher education in teaching and research in the region • advancement of member universities by establishing and facilitating bilateral and multilateral contacts between the universities • DRC Presidency changes annually • Annual DRC Conference: • Nov. 2011: at BOKU, Vienna • Nov. 2012: at CULS, Prague • Involvement in the Priority Area working groups of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region http://www.d-r-c.org

13. CDR - Centre for Development Research at BOKU University • The CDR is a multi-disciplinary scientific unit located at BOKU, founded 2009 • It brings together a multidisciplinary network of over twenty scientists from BOKU • The CDR engages in national and international networks such as the AGRINATURA (The European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development) and the Commission for Development Studies (KEF) • The CDR collaborates with a wide range of partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America • It conducts applied development research and training in areas related to sustainable natural resource management. • The CDR works towards poverty reduction, food security, and well-being for the most vulnerable population • www.cdr.boku.ac.at

14. General Conclusions: • The developmentof a European Bioeconomyrequiresnewsciencepoliciesandimportantnewskills, fostering: • Integrated approachesofresearch,educationandco-operation Academia - Industry innovationprocess • Complementarypartnershipsbetweenuniversities, researchcentres, … • jointcurricula • Inter- andmultidsiciplinaryapproaches • ….. • Knowledgeandtechnologytransfer • Development ofsustainabilityas a bigchanceforeconomicdevelopment: •  Multidisciplinaryintegrationof traditional approacheswith high-end (bio)technologiesisa keyissue in thedevelopmentof a European Bioeconomy • Public awareness, communicationscience – society

15. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU)University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Prof. Dr. Josef Glössl Vice Rector for Research and International Research Collaboration josef.gloessl@boku.ac.at www.boku.ac.at 15