NEWS
RUN-EU is Shaping the Future of Food and Biotechnology
1 June 2024
Two RUN-EU events were held in May at the Häme University of Applied Sciences in Hämeenlinna, Finland: the European Programmes Academy – Exploratory Mission (EPA-mission) in Food and Biotechnology, and the Science for Business seminar.
For both events, nearly 100 university and business representatives from across Europe gathered to discuss the future of food and biotechnology education and research.
RUN-EU will co-create 140 learning opportunities over the next four years that meet the needs of the regions and build the skills of the future. These learning opportunities will take the form of short joint learning opportunities, such as flexible study units and open online courses, or joint programmes.
This will strengthen the competitiveness of RUN-EU higher education institutions and their surrounding regions and develop regional innovation ecosystems in line with regional needs and close cooperation with regional stakeholders.
In addition to regional cooperation, RUN-EU will focus on promoting the interaction between research and education, so that joint research activities and their results are reflected in the scientifically innovative content of learning opportunities.
Future learning opportunities in food and biotechnology at RUN-EU
The European Programmes Academy – Exploratory Mission (EPA-mission) is a powerful platform for identifying learning opportunities. It brings together RUN-EU teachers, researchers, technical staff and students to develop innovative learning opportunities for RUN-EU learners and a joint RUN-EU education portfolio.
RUN-EU offers a wide range of learning opportunities, including short joint learning units and open online courses, as well as joint programmes. The week was all about food and biotechnology.
RUN-EU’s second EPA-Mission took place at HAMK in May. Teaching and research staff and student representatives from seven partner universities were present. The discussions were focused on the future learning opportunities for RUN-EU in the fields of food and biotechnology.
Furthermore, the institutional Future and Advanced Pedagogy Skills Academy (FAPSA) members joined the EPA-Mission to ensure the pedagogical implementation of the EPA-Missions and the pedagogically innovative aspects of the learning opportunities.
During the breaks, RUN-EU staff, students and regional businesses learned about the most cutting-edge research conducted at RUN-EU.
International research in partnership with the RUN-EU regions
RUN-EU organises ‘Innovation Meets Regions’ events to increase dialogue between regional actors and RUN-EU. These events are a key part of our research strategy. One such event was the ‘Science for Business’ seminar, which took place at HAMK at the same time as the EPA-Mission. The event was attended by representatives of companies and staff, students and stakeholders of RUN-EU universities, especially in the fields of bioeconomy, circular economy, food and biotechnology.
Mari Pantsar, a leading advocate of climate, nature and circular economy solutions, delivered the keynote address. Furthermore, several presentations were delivered by key experts from RUN-EU member universities.
Mari Pantsar, Partner at Kari & Pantsar Co., explained how the circular economy and bioeconomy can help businesses overcome major crises and explore new opportunities, and presented concrete examples of how companies can benefit from these new approaches.
Ricardo Ferreira Simões, Head of Innovation, at the Northern Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N), discussed the role of interregional networks such as the European Innovation Hubs and European universities such as RUN-EU in supporting partner regions.
The two RUN-EU events, held simultaneously, significantly enhanced the collaboration between education and research and the RUN-EU regions.
The two RUN-EU events, which took place simultaneously, significantly enhanced cooperation between education and research in the RUN-EU regions.
The more intense dialogue between education, research and regions serves the needs of RUN-EU regions more comprehensively and strengthens the international networks of the regions. Furthermore, the events promoted joint research activities and the use of research findings in the content of RUN-EU learning opportunities in the future.
RUN-EU will create education and research that builds the skills for the future and serves and develops the needs and competitiveness of the RUN-EU regions. The fact that all eight member higher education institutions (HEIs) are located outside metropolitan areas makes this a clear and unambiguous commitment.
