In 2008, the University of Cyprus was awarded with a project funded by the European Social Fund. The project is titled “Development of Liaison Offices between Academia and Industry in Cypriot Universities” with its budget rising up to €3.500.878,00. This project was the first of its kind where all Cypriot Universities public and private participated in a Consortium under a common cause, from 2008 to 2015.The project was coordinated by the University of Cyprus, the main public university in Cyprus. The remaining six universities included the, Cyprus University of Technology, Open University of Cyprus, University of Nicosia, European University-Cyprus, Frederick University and the Neapolis University.
The project had two main priorities; the first being the development of specific services for employment, training and support in connection with restructuring of sectors and enterprises, and develop systems to anticipate economic changes and future requirements in terms of jobs and skills, whereas the second was the design and further dissemination of innovative and more productive ways of organizing work.
The collaboration was based on common interest of forming closer links with industry for collaborative projects while promoting the upgrading of industrial research and infrastructure and supporting young placements and internships in industry for students and young researchers.
As the connection with industry both in the research and training areas is limited in Cyprus, the project also aimed to improve the adaptability of businesses and employees to the fast changing market environment by fostering closer connections with academia. The initiative focused on supporting the restructuring of industry and academia for enabling them facing future labour market challenges as well as the development of innovative methods of structuring business and employment practices at a national level.
At the European level, the project contributed positively to the creation of more and better jobs for graduates, improvement of skills of students and a new approach on innovation towards a goal to development, adaptation of education and the introduction and development of training systems matching the new needs for skills that have arisen.
The target groups were Cypriot businesses coming from , all sectors of the economy at national level, Cypriot researchers and students and Cypriot Higher Education Institutions.
UCY had a leading role in this innovative nationwide network (consortium) comprised of University Business Liaison Offices linking the academic to the business world.
Besides knowledge exchange, promotion of entrepreneurship and technology transfer, the network focused on introducing actions that would enhance and enrich the employability of students, either during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies or even after graduation.
As a tool, targeted to facilitate this interaction, a portal (software program) has been designed and developed, where Business and Universities respectively posted Internship openings and Internship applications as well the interest of Companies for specific entrepreneurial/innovative needs to be answered by researchers and academics. The system automatically matched needs to offers, needs to expertise and vice versa opening up new possibilities to the parties involved.
The active network of the 8 Universities have also cooperated to investigate the needs for technology transfer as presented by the Industry and made an assessment how these needs can be met by the academic world. Its role also extended in promoting and developing methods of cooperation aiming to bring about mutual economic and social benefits to both sectors and to the stakeholders as well as the society at large.
The Network of Unis has produced and accomplished significant results and valuable statistics. However, most of all, it has brought about a notable change of culture among all stakeholders. For the student population, it is now apparently clear and expected that students need to gain professional experience, expand their horizons, search for adequate professional training, acquire real life skills and get their Institutions assist them in the improvement of their employment and career prospects.
The Project has involved many stakeholders (Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the National Federation of Industry and Commerce, many Professional Bodies as well as an array of Associations and Non for Profit Foundations).
The educational material prepared was shared and had a direct impact on the promotion of a new entrepreneurial culture in Cyprus.
Données de contact des acteurs impliqués
- Nom et Prénom : Gregory Makrides
- Qualité : Director of Research and International Services
- Organisation : University of Cyprus
- Adresse : 1, University Avenue, Nicosia 1678
- Téléphone : +357 22 894288
- Email : makrides.g@ucy.ac.cy
- Site web : www.ucy.ac.cy
- Nom et Prénom : Elena Zomeni
- Qualité : Senior Officer, Research and Liaison with Business Sector
- Organisation : University of Cyprus
- Adresse : 1, University Avenue, 1678 Nicosia
- Téléphone : +357 22 894365
- Email :zomeni@ucy.ac.cy
Ancrage dans son contexte
The aim of the project can very well be applied in other countries that wish to promote an entrepreneurship and innovation culture. A network of institutions joining forces can materialise the aims of the project and their impact can be maximised.
Universities, Research Institutions, Business and Professional Associations, Youth Associations and non for profits can collaborate to achieve positive results that will contribute to a great extend on the Economy, the skills of the students and their professional readiness to match the needs of the jobmarket. This is a multi faceted initiative that has been tested and succeeded and there is no doubt that similar results could be achieved in other Med countries.
Visibilité de l’action
- Webpage
- Billboards on busy roads in all cities
- TV Spots
- Exhibition stands in Education and Job Fairs
- Info Points at all Universities
- Leaflets and pamphlets
- Round Table Discussions
- TV presentations
- Participation in conferences, seminars and other activities organized by national and local bodies
Transférabilité
As mentioned before the model can most certainly work in other countries provided there is a willingness for active cooperation. As a pre requisite one must not lose sight of the fact that through active cooperation the culture of the young (students) and professionals (Business) will change by converging
Durabilité
This was an ESF funded Project and although it has ended the University Business Liaison Office will remain and operate with all its infrastructure, learning resources, connections and valuable databases all of which are shared with other UCY units.
Caractère Innovant
It is the first time a Consortium of Universities was formed in Cyprus. It worked in an exemplary manner and produced results which under the circumstances are significant.
Internships were successfully introduced to many programs of study on undergraduate and graduate levels.
The innovative character of the Project has changed the culture in the respect that students now know that they are no longer able to secure a good position (Ibefore of after graduation), unless they have some degree of experience.
Internships provide valuable transferable skills as well as real life skills as well which are required in the workplace.
In addition researchers have cooperated and consulted Companies on specific issues, signed bi lateral agreements and opened up new channels of collaborations.
Impact
Both industry and academia need to focus on a closer and more structured cooperation when it comes to the transfer of research, knowledge exchange as well as the professional engagement of students. The opportunities provided are not only valuable to the students but for business as well as they improve the adaptability of businesses and employees by strengthening their ability to adapt to an ever changing market environment.
For the Business sector in the Med countries, a closer connection with academia is expected to play a decisive role in the restructuring of both Industry and Academia who will prepare and work together for future labour market challenges, the development of innovative methods of structuring business and employment and apply those practices at the national level.
At the European level the initiative will contribute to the creation of more and better jobs, improvement of skills and innovation with a goal to development, adaptation of education and training systems to the new needs for skills. Cyprus as a small country with a national project could become a model for regional practices in larger European countries.
