Public conference: Universities as Engines of Place-Based Innovation

Universities, policymakers and industry leaders discuss how universities drive place‑based innovation and boost Europe’s competitiveness. High-level executives from UnILiON member universities, European policymakers, and industry representatives will convene to showcase how universities act as key drivers of place-based research & innovation ecosystems, skills development, and more broadly, how they contribute to Europe’s competitiveness and impact alongside the four policy windows of the next Horizon Europe as well as the ECF. Particular attention will be given to the wide range of instruments available to universities including strong partnerships and cooperation with industry, access to cutting-edge research and technology infrastructures, guidance by expert groups, university alliances and many others. Speakers will also be invited to outline their needs and present their vision for tackling competitiveness challenges in future programme planning and implementation. Proposed programme 14:30 Opening by UnILiON Chair 14:35 Presentation from the Experts Session 14:40 Opening Keynote: Henna Virkkunen, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT (2024-2029), Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, (tbc) 15:10 Keynote: The stakes of the ERA Act and the role of universities to contribute to ERA and innovation by Jean David Malo, European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Simplification & Financial Instruments (RTD.PA02) Q&A, interaction with the audience 16:00 Panel discussion with speakers from European Commission DG GROW, DG CLIMA, UnILiON member university rector Sophie Gabut, Safran, Eleonor Hedström, Director of Wärtsilä Next Business Lab and head of Innovation, Wärtsilä 17:10 Closing Keynote by Lithuanian Presidency Keynote speech by Tadas Tumenas/Birgita Serafinaviciute (TBC) 17:25 Closing remarks by the Chair of UnILiON 17:30 End of Public Conference