Commission fleshes out plans for European Institute of Technology

Citation

(2006), "Commission fleshes out plans for European Institute of Technology", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448eab.011

Commission fleshes out plans for European Institute of Technology

The proposed European Institute of Technology (EIT) will bring new opportunities for the commercialisation of research because “the integration of teams from universities, research centres and companies will give it an edge over traditionally-organized universities, where outside links come as an add-on”, says the European Commission. In a report entitled Implementing the Renewed Partnership for Growth and Jobs. Developing a Knowledge Flagship: The European Institute of Technology, the Commission outlines the proposed mission of the EIT and the results of a year-long consultation on the project.

Two clear schools of thought emerged from more than 700 responses received from across Europe: that the EIT should be a new stand-alone single institution, performing research, training and innovation activities; and that the EIT should have more of an enabling function for research, training and innovation activities. The Commission should:

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  integrate teams from universities, research centres and companies in its structure;

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  have resources seconded (not just networked) from existing organizations, so that they become legally part of the EIT; and

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  have an independent and self-renewing governing board, drawn from the scientific and business communities.

The Commission believes that the EIT will provide a greater concentration of resources, and that it will complement existing initiatives. The Commission proposal states that the EIT would “develop a strong brand that would be recognized on a global scale”. The EIT’s proposed mission is “to develop excellence in education, research and innovation in its fields of work, to encourage an entrepreneurial dimension in its education and research, and to bring science and business closer for the benefit of society and the economy in Europe”. It would award MAs and PhDs, carry out research and develop strong links with the business community.

The proposed structure is not a single institution, but based around a single governing body and “knowledge communities” that would “perform the research, training and innovation activities based on a selection procedure defined by the governing board”. Knowledge communities would be formed of teams from various organizations across Europe, which would legally become part of the EIT for a certain period. The EIT would not be like a network of excellence, because “participants in networks of excellence simply agree to co-operate; the EIT involves a much closer relationship”. The governing board would consist of eminent scientists and business people, with direct responsibility for setting the EIT’s strategic priorities, managing and allocating resources, and awarding EIT degrees. The Commission proposes that the EIT would be a separate legal entity, free from national regulation, although it would be accountable to EU institutions.

The Commission is likely to propose the EIT’s legal structure by the end of this year, for adoption in 2008. The earliest substantial expenditure is expected to take place in 2009-2010.