University- Industry Partnership in Research and Engineering Education

1. University- Industry Partnership in Research and Engineering Education Assoc. Prof. Seferin MIRTCHEV, stm@tu-sofia.bg ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL REALIZATION OF YOUNG ENGINEERS July 11th 2011 POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, Romania 11.07.2011

2. . http://ceec.fnts-bg.org/english/index-eng.html 11.07.2011

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7. Scientists study the world as it is; engineers create the world that has never been. — Theodore von Kármán Hungarian-American aerospace engineer and physicist , 1881 – 1963 11.07.2011

8. Introduction • Research, Education and Innovation • Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 • Future Challenges . Outline of the presentation 11.07.2011

9. Following the guidelines of important European documents – Lisbon strategy and Bologna Declaration, the higher education is on the way to Knowledge society. According to the European Commission, Europe has to become a truly knowledge-based and innovation-friendly society. This requires in particular a reallocation of resources to education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), research and to the creation of high value jobs and growth. . Introduction 11.07.2011

10. Quite a number of challenges can be identified, if Europe is to become this highly competitive, innovation-friendly knowledge society, envisaged by the political leaders. • Increasing interest in science and technology among the youth; • Increasing public understanding of the influence of technology; • Enhancing sustainable development with technology. . Introduction 11.07.2011

11. . Research, Education and Innovation 11.07.2011

12. The research system can be regarded asan important part of the innovation system which overlaps with it toa certain extent, but also includes a number of aspects which do nothave direct impacts on innovation activities. • The research system generally rests on three pillars: • - Research in higher education institutions, • - Private-enterprise research, connected to industrial development; • - Non-university public researchcarried out in governmental research or private non-profit organisations. • Education is an important means to transfer knowledge derived from research and innovation to society. . Research, Education and Innovation 11.07.2011

13. The headline targets by 2020 at European level are defined as following: 1. 75 % of the population aged 20-64 should be employed; 2. 3% of the GDP should be invested in Research and Development (R&D); 3. The "20/20/20" climate and energy targets should be met including up to 30%emissions reduction compared to the current emission values; 4. The share of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of theyounger generation should have a tertiary degree; 5. 20 million less people should be at risk of poverty. . Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 11.07.2011

14. . Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 11.07.2011

15. . Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 11.07.2011

16. . Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 The export potential if Bulgaria 11.07.2011

17. The current National Strategy of Scientific Research aims at: - Contributing to the transformation of the Bulgarian society into "knowledgesociety"; - Contributing to the development of a national economy based on ecotechnologies; - Formulating national science policy that will provide opportunities and defineprospects for achieving the targets set forth in the Europe 2020 Strategy, and - Contributing the creation of integrated European research area. . Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 11.07.2011

18. The Main Objectives: 1. CONSTRUCTION OF COMPETITIVE NATIONAL RESEARCH NFRASTRUCTURE AS AN ELEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA. 2. IMPROVEMENT OF THE SERVICE AND CONTROL OF THE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE IN BULGARIA. 3. STRENGTHENING THE INTEGRATION BETWEEN THE SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTES AND UNITS OF THE PUBLIC SCIENTIFIC ORGANISATIONS AND UNIVERSITIES IN BULGARIA AND THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE BUSINESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PUBLIC PRIORITIES. 4. RAISING THE SCIENTISTS’ STATUS IN SOCIETY. . Bulgarian National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020 11.07.2011

19. A lot of efforts are necessary in order to respond to EU focus on university-business collaboration, and the new role considered for universities. Bulgarian researchers need to strengthen their capacity for innovation, management and technology transfer, as well as obtain entrepreneurial, science communication skills, etc. A focus of BSc and MSc programmes on building interdisciplinary skills and the skills needed for the knowledge economy and society might be a further challenge for universities and researchers. The links with industry need a lot of changes in order to meet the needs of the knowledge economy. . Future Challenges 11.07.2011

20. In research, there should be established more structured contacts for joint research projects, exchange of staff, internships and joint supervision of PhD students, knowledge brokerage events, etc. Higher transparency of research results might be a first step towards better collaboration with industry in research. A regular communication with industry and business organizations will further support the establishment of strong intersectoral collaboration and linkages. . Future Challenges 11.07.2011

21. Thank you for your attention! 11.07.2011