The project "Regional Universities as Catalysts for Economic Development: Their Role in Fostering Knowledge, Innovation, and Graduate Employment" aims to strengthen the collaborative links between two universities with similar research interests and problems in Greece and Norway - the University of the Aegean and the University of Applied Sciences of Western Norway - to exchange experiences, know-how and best practices on the role of non-central/regional universities in reshaping their innovation ecosystem and in creating employment opportunities for graduates at the regional level .
The proposed bilateral cooperation is implemented through the following activities:
- A review of the current state of play regarding the role of regional universities as knowledge providers and the identification of the drivers, barriers and constraints of young graduates for the choice of residence and employment in regional areas, with emphasis on the experiences of the two regions under study (the Greek North Aegean region and the region of Western Norway (Vestland region).
- Visits to Norway for meetings and exchange of good practices between members of the two universities and other regional actors. Greek participants have the opportunity to witness the recent developments in the regional innovation ecosystem in the Vestland region and exchange know-how with their Norwegian counterparts regarding support mechanisms and internship programmes that enhance the placement of students and graduates for the region's benefit.
- A final workshop in Greece with representatives from Norway and Greece, regional policymakers, businesses, local government, and civil society, where participants exchange knowledge, experiences, and good practices on how regional higher education institutions can contribute to regional innovation and development.
- Formulation of appropriate policy proposals on how Greek partners can promote co-creation processes between education, research and innovation to increase the local impact of the research output of the University of the Aegean on the Aegean Archipelago and benefit from the entrepreneurial dynamism of the young graduates.
Project Partner: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
