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St Wojcik's BlogSt Wojcik's BlogSt. Wojcik has responsibility for supporting the transfer of innovation activities into the SME community within the Brussels-Capital Region. He is also responsible for the marketing of new technologies and innovation developed fro 
Articles
Brand valuation of Brussels
2007-10-27 18:29:00 Cliquez ici More About: Brussels , Brand , Valuation
Doctoral Programmes in Europe’s Universities: Achievements and Challenges
2007-10-14 17:48:00 A new report published this week by EUA gives an important insight into the state of doctoral education in Europe .It highlights the latest trends in this key sector of higher education, such as, the introduction of new organisational structures to manage doctoral education, the increasing focus on learning ‘transferable skills’ and the growth in new types of doctoral programmes such as “professional doctorates”. Equally, it underlines the challenges that Europe faces if it is serious about attracting and retaining the best young research talent.Amongst the findings, EUA’s work underlines that stakeholders (universities and public authorities) must do more to widen participation, to improve mechanisms for supervision and assessment, and to promote the international mobility of doctoral candidates. They must also take steps to ensure professional skills development is an integral part of all doctoral training.The report also shows that national funding po... More About: University , Doctoral
Doctoral Programmes in Europe’s Universities: Achievements and Challenges
2007-10-14 17:48:00 A new report published this week by EUA gives an important insight into the state of doctoral education in Europe .It highlights the latest trends in this key sector of higher education, such as, the introduction of new organisational structures to manage doctoral education, the increasing focus on learning ‘transferable skills’ and the growth in new types of doctoral programmes such as “professional doctorates”. Equally, it underlines the challenges that Europe faces if it is serious about attracting and retaining the best young research talent.Amongst the findings, EUA’s work underlines that stakeholders (universities and public authorities) must do more to widen participation, to improve mechanisms for supervision and assessment, and to promote the international mobility of doctoral candidates. They must also take steps to ensure professional skills development is an integral part of all doctoral training.The report also shows that national funding po... More About: University , Doctoral , Gram , Univers
Should Brussels become a city region ? [2]
2007-09-22 18:09:00 Cliquez ici More About: City , Brussels , City region , Region
Should Brussels become a city region ? [2]
2007-09-22 18:09:00 Cliquez ici More About: Innovation , City , Brussels , City region , Region
What Engineers for a competitive Europe ?
2007-09-21 18:42:00 The Europe an Society for Engineers and Industrialists [SEII] organizes the international round table conference What Engineers for a competitive Europe ?Brussels, November 9-10, 2007The conference will specially tackle the following topics : What is the European industry expecting from Engineers ?How could Higher Education prepare to meet these needs ?The conference is aimed at all those having interest in the Engineering profession : Industrial companies and their federations Universities and other institutions of higher education in Engineering Engineers and their representativesMore on >> More About: Competitive , Petit , Rope
Growing fields in engineering
2007-09-08 16:10:00 The 2008 edition of US News' Best Graduate Schools currently identified two hot areas of engineering for the future...1. Environmental Engineering - It's a growing field, and engineers are needed to clean up existing pollution problems and prevent future ones.2. Service Science, Management, and Engineering (SSME) [1] - This emerging discipline is getting a big push from industry, including IBM and Hewlett-Packard. SSME combines engineering, computer science, economics, and management to improve the service sector.[1] Service Science, Management, and Engineering (SSME) is a term introduced by IBM to describe Services Sciences, an interdisciplinary approach to the study, design, and implementation of services systems – complex systems in which specific arrangements of people and technologies take actions that provide value for others. More precisely, SSME has been defined as the application of science, management, and engineering disciplines to tasks that one organization... More About: Growing , Fields , Grow , Erin
Should Brussels become a city region ? [1]
2007-09-01 16:48:00 Cliquez ici More About: City , Brussels , City region , Region
The role of Higher Education Institutions in the knowledge economy
2007-08-16 20:35:00 Laura Williams, Senior Researcher with The Work Foundation, investigated the role of Higher Education Institutions in the knowledge economy in UK. Looking at what the knowledge economy means for Higher Education Institutions and cities, she challenged some of the myths that contribute to confusion.Myth 1 – The knowledge economy is only about graduatesBroadly, the knowledge economy is what you get when you bring together highly trained workers and powerful computers. Successful Cities – those that are thriving in the knowledge economy, such as Manchester, London and Edinburgh – tend to have a broad mix of skills. The growth of an affluent and mobile knowledge workforce stimulates demand for services, retail, leisure, housing and schools, meaning that a successful knowledge city needs more than a critical mass of graduates, it also needs people with other skills to work in these important sectors.Myth 2 – A University is an essential 'ingredient' of a knowled... More About: Economy , Knowledge , Role
Recommendations for Business Incubators, Networks and Technology Transfer f
2007-07-04 17:48:00 A report published by the EU funded Nanoforum initiative makes recommendations on how Europe can improve the transfer of technology from its research results, including in the field of nanotechnology. This report is the result of the two day workshop "Nano2Business " held at Warsaw University of Technology on 7th and 8th February 2007. The main focus of the discussions was on the best organisation for technology transfer incubators, technology transfer networks, and on identifying the main barriers to technology transfer.The report highlights the importance of education, and especially university education, which could teach business skills to scientists. It also calls for the people involved in the commercialisation of nanoscience and technology to benefit from special education following their scientific degree so as to develop management skills and understand marketing and financial issues. "The management team must be able to act as an effective technology translator. Technology ... More About: Networks , Transfer , Comm
The European Research Area : New Perspectives [Green paper]
2007-06-02 16:51:00 With the Green Paper on the European Research Area (ERA), the European Commission launches a broad institutional and public debate on what should be done to create a unified and attractive European Research Area, which would fulfil the needs and expectations of the scientific community, business and citizens. The debate is open to everyone with an interest in the realisation of a European knowledge society. In particular, the Commission expects to receive responses from research institutions (including universities), researchers, industry, civil society organisations, national and regional public authorities as well as the general public. The Commission will use the results of the debate to prepare initiatives that will be proposed in 2008. How to participate in the debate?The best way to engage in the debate is to express your views in the on-line consultation linked to the Green Paper. We are interested in receiving your views on the overall priorities for ERA, as well as on six m...
Brave New Interfaces. Individual, Social and Economic Impact of the Next Ge
2007-05-27 19:23:00 On April 26th 2007 an exclusive mixture of engineers, academic and corporate researchers, curators, artists, corporate managers from the pharma and health care sector, computer scientists and legal counselors filled the library of Namahn in Saint-Josse in Brussels, to celebrate the release of the 2nd CROSSTALKS book. ‘Brave New Interface s’ is edited by Jan Cornelis & Marleen Wynants and published by VUBPRESS.The topic of exploring existing and future interfaces and their design emerged from numerous discussions on whether some spectacular technological innovations also meant or implied something more than just technological progress. Depending on the gender and the technological literacy of the conversationalists, the answer might be yes, no, or somewhere in between. Another drive behind this publication was the need to find a common language to discuss all things interdisciplinary. Interdisciplinarity has been a major buzzword for a couple of years, but reality proves that differen... More About: Social , Individual , Economic , Econ
Surrealism in Belgium (1924-2000)
2007-05-12 11:20:00 " Surrealism in Belgium (1924-2000) " is the first prestigious exhibition in the brand new Mons museum. This exhibition will present the most complete collection of works and documents regarding surrealism in Belgium.More >> Digg it >> More About: Real , Realism
i-techpartner
2007-05-06 17:25:00 i-techpartner's mission is to join excellent European technology leaders with entrepreneurs and investors, and build value creating relationships by making technology development alliances and investments accessible and effective. Technology transfer in Europe is overall lacking clear processes and focused execution. Support programmes try to overcome these problems by bringing researchers and entrepreneurs together, but this alone has proven to be ineffective. i-techpartner provides a pragmatic answer to Europe's significant innovation challenges. It achieves a high number and high value of investments, partnerships and entrepreneurial commitments between research projects and innovative SMEs throughout Europe, involving investors and corporate partners.More >> More About: Part
Services Research & Innovation Initiative
2007-03-31 14:47:00 As services have become a dominant economic driver, businesses, government and academia must increase service research and innovation.Jointly founded by IBM, Oracle, the Technology Professional Service s Association (TPSA), and the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), the SRI Initiative is a consortium of technology companies, government agencies and universities dedicated to fostering advancements in service research.The organization will accomplish this by raising awareness of this issue through conferences, symposia and the SRINet.com Web site – the informational hub for the effort. Members include HP, Cisco, Microsoft, Arizona State University, University of Maryland, the European Commission and the Fraunhofer Institute. The SRI Initiative is headquartered in the Silicon Valley.Organizations who are interested in participating in and getting involved with the SRI Initiative should visit the Web site for more information - www.thesri.org More About: Research , Search , Innovation
Overall Innovation performance of Belgium is slightly above the EU average
2007-02-25 17:26:02 The sixth edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) has been published on 22 February 2006. The EIS is the instrument developed by the European Commission, under the Lisbon Strategy, to evaluate and compare the innovation performance of the EU Member States.The overall performance of Belgium is slightly above the EU average, with several indicators above the EU25 average and only a couple of indicators below the average.Most recent available data for year 2005 show that the group of Innovation drivers is the better performing with a high participation in tertiary education and a high level of broadband penetration. High level of education in the country positively affects the group application, which shows a consistent concentration of employment in hightech services and manufacturing.Considering the latest available data for each indicator, the group Innovation & entrepreneurship shows high percentages of SMEs innovating in house or cooperating on innovation. The Knowledg... More About: Performance , Rage , Light
The Greatest Innovations of All Time
2007-02-19 05:21:01 Larry Keeley of Doblin Inc. nominates the innovations that have most improved safety, living standards, and quality of life. His choices may surprise. All-time-great innovations ranked by Doblin planners are : 1. Weapons 2. Mathematics and the number zero 3. Money 4. Printing 5. Free markets and capital markets 6. Domesticated animals and agriculture 7. Property ownership 8. Limited liability 9. Participatory democracy10. Anesthetics and surgery11. Vaccines and antibiotics12. Semiconductors13. The Internet14. Genetic sequencing15. Containerized shippingAs pointed out by Larry " you may well disagree with these selections... For the moment I would rather note how very surprising this list is and to try to understand the lessons it offers to anyone who wants to innovate today ".Source : Businessweek.com, February 16, 2007.Digg it >> More About: Time , Great , Innovations , Innovation , Test
Brussels' population rising
2007-02-05 05:10:02 According to Mathieu Van Criekingen the rise in Brussels ' population is due above all to the arrival of foreigners rather than a reversal of urban flight, i.e., the return of former residents who moved to the greener suburbs.Results of the study indicate that, even if gentrification in Brussels is still marked by the gradual mutation of workingclass areas into " trendy " rather than " chic " neighbourhoods, this process is already highly selective in social terms. Indeed, whilst various types of migrant are leaving the inner city, their destinations vary markedly, in line with their socio-economic profiles.Source : Mathieu Van Criekingen, What is happening to Brussels’ inner-city neighbourhoods ? Selective migration from areas undergoing gentrification. Posted on Brussels Studies, Dec. 12, 2006. Digg it >> More About: Pop , Sing , Pula
The engineer in the European Union of knowledge
2007-02-05 05:10:02 International seminar 9th and 10th February 2007, Brussels Within the context of the Lisbon Summit*, this international seminar wishes to emphasize research, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit and to demonstrate the role of the engineer in these three fields. The seminar will provide a forum for :- the industrial world- institutions of higher education- the engineering profession- individual engineers- who have an active interest in the added value of engineers towards the realisation of the Lisbon objectives More details on Council of Associations of long-cycle Engineers, of a university or higher school of engineering of the Euro pe an Union [CLAIU-EU] * The main objectives of the Lisbon Summit are : reach an average economic growth of 3% and create employment for 20 million by 2010. More About: European Union , European
The 10 Riskiest Businesses To Start
2007-01-28 05:07:08 While some two-thirds of small firms make it past the two-year mark, just 44% can hack it for four years, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA). According to Fair Isaac (FIC), the more riskiest are : Transportation Apparel Stores Restaurants and bars Communications Travel agencies and tour operators Food services Personal services Auto repair Trucking Money Services Business esAnd which industries are a better fit for the faint of heart ? Surprisingly, real estate--including landlords, agents and developers--has a relatively low risk profile, according to Fair Isaac's data. Professional services and licensed trades score well, too: Think insurance brokers, doctor's offices and law firms. By Maureen Farrel, The 10 riskiest businesses to start, Forbes.com, Jan. 18, 2007.Full article >> More About: Businesse , Start , Star , Risk
The 2006 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor reports a substanti
2007-01-13 22:58:03 The 2006 Global Entrepreneur ship Monitor reports a substantial decrease of the entrepreneurial “mindset” in Belgium for nascent as well as new companies. The Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) declined from 3.9 % (2005) to 2.7 % (2006). Belgium has now the lowest rate of early-stage entrepreneurial activity and the fifth lowest rate of established business ownership.The 2005 TEA showed a small increase at 3.9 % from 3.5% (2004).Source : Global Entrepreneurship Monitor More About: Report , Port
Innovation you told me, what a mess
2006-12-16 22:37:01 Since more than 20 years the word " innovation " inflated the business media. Due to ambiguous and continuously shifting definitions, innovation is used in a lot of point of view referring to processes, as well as ideas, methods or devices[1] : • The process of making improvements by introducing something new. • The act of introducing something new: something newly introduced. (The American Heritage Dictionary) • The introduction of something new. (Merriam-Webster Online) • A new idea, method or device. (Merriam-Webster Online) • The successful exploitation of new ideas. (Dept of Trade and Industry UK) • Change that creates a new dimension of performance. Peter Drucker (Hesselbein, 2002)As pointed out by Richard Hudson[2], editor of Science|Business, " what is this thing that everybody in business is talking about ? It's the new plot, apparently, to another war-game from Electronic Arts. It's something that dairy farmers in Chile say they want. I... More About: What , Innovation , Hat , Nova , Told
LERU argues case for prioritising public procurement
2006-12-02 16:25:05 The new LERU report Universities and Innovation : The Challenge for Europe issued on Nov. 20, 2006, argues for increasing of public procurement budgets. But this comprehensive document recommends also several interesting points for universities. Universities should :• realistically analyse where their own strengths lie and where they might best achieve excellence and economic and social relevance ;• understand, engage and promote the optimal economic strategy for their region, and understand how their own particular strengths can best be mobilised to support regional and national economic development ;• ensure that academic and departmental structures and their flexibility enhance and do not impede cross-disciplinary efforts ; • ensure that their processes of selecting university leaders and governance mechanisms are well designed to identify and pursue broad institutional goals in their areas of strength whilst encouraging the academic freedom that is the university’s greatest pote... More About: Public , Men , Case , Sing , Proc
The evolution of intellectual property
2006-12-02 16:25:05 Firms endeavor to find the ideal balance between traditional proprietary invention and the new more open collaborative business models. The importance of sharing, protecting and leveraging intellectual property was a consistent theme throughout IBM's Global Innovation Outlook (IBM), a worldwide conversation with 248 thought leaders from nearly three dozen countries and regions, representing 178 organizations. These experts collaborated with IBM'ers to discuss the issues, determine the key characteristics of a properly functioning IP marketplace, and establish a blueprint for meaningful change. The results of the project are reflected in a collaboratively written manifesto establishing the foundation of a functioning marketplace for the creation, ownership, licensing and equitable exchange of intellectual property. Building a New IP Marketplace >> More About: Evolution , Intel , Property , Intellect , Elle
Science / Business news service point of view regarding the
2006-12-02 16:25:05 As reported by Cordis news (Oct.10, 2006), Science / Business news service has launched a nine-point innovation manifesto intended to cut to the heart of where Europe is going wrong with its innovation efforts.It includes recommendations on technology transfer offices, seed investment, fiscal incentives and patents.In his introduction to the manifesto, Richard Hudson, editor and CEO of Science / Business, questions whether the next 'round of tech subsidies' - the Seventh Framework Program (FP7) - with its bigger budget, will be able to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the market place.The manifesto states, among other recommendations, that technology transfer offices (TTO's) should be empowered in order to increase their revenue. Today, European TTO's make only 5% of the revenue made by their US counterparts.This recommendation is in perfect accordance with those I already proposed. See Implementing Innovation Management in an University Technology Transfer Office, 2005... More About: News , Service , View
A broad-based innovation strategy for the EU
2006-12-02 16:25:05 On Sept. 13, 2006 the European Commission has tabled a 10 point programme for action at national and European levels to foster innovation as a main asset of the EU economy. This will form the basis for the discussion by European leaders at the informal Summit due to take place in Lahti, Finland on 20 October 2006.The programme points the way forward to accompany industry-led innovation with public policies at all levels as a core element of the renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. The Commission seeks to develop the concept of "lead markets" where public authorities, facilitate industry-led innovation by creating conditions for a successful market uptake of innovative products and services in a focussed way.Primary targets are areas that respond to societal demands (e.g. areas such as transport or health, internal security, eco-innovation...). The Commission calls upon Member States to make the structural reforms necessary to deliver the results required. The Commission unde... More About: Strategy , Innovation , Trat , Stra , Road
Davantage d'étudiants optent pour l'informatique
2006-12-02 16:25:05 Selon Dries Van Damme [DataNews, 11 Septembre 2006], tout semble indiquer que l'intérêt accordé à l'informatique par les nouveaux étudiants universitaires a l'an dernier atteint son niveau le plus bas. Pour la première fois depuis quelques années en effet, quasiment toutes les universités observent une hausse importante du nombre d'inscriptions en première année d'informatique. Serait-ce un premier résultat de l'enquête d'Agoria (17 mai 2006) révelant que plus de 13.000 postes sont à pourvoir tant dans les entreprises TIC que chez les autres acteurs de la vie économique belge ?Article complet >> More About: Info , Inform , Informa , Dian , Ants
Café des Nattes, Sidi Bou Saïd
2006-12-02 16:25:05 Leaving the beaches of Hammamet, Dominique B. went to Sidi Bou Saïd at the world-famed Café des Nattes. Since August Macke's time (1914) nothing essential has changed either in the exterior or interior of this typical Moorish coffee-house. Built on the 7th century, before it became a bar, it was a Sufi temple and it still keeps the atmosphere among the silent games of dominoes, the flavored narguilés and the mint teas with pine nuts.
Lack of scientists and engineers in Belgium
2006-12-02 16:25:05 Fiers[1] reported last year one common characteristic for the Belgian regions : lack of new graduated scientists and engineers. In 2002, for instance, the number of new graduated[2] was only 20.2% and 17.0% respectively in the Dutch and in the French community versus 26.3% in the EC ! This was not a new fact. Except in emerging countries, since decades Associations of Engine ers are claiming young Europeans have dramatically turned away from engineering.But what seems to be new is that one reason could be identified in UK. In a statement published on August 14, 2006 the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says that problems start at secondary school, and then reverberate up the education system[3].According to CBI Director-General Richard Lambert, the problem lies with the teachers, not the students, who he said work hard to achieve the best possible grades in the system provided. "[I]t is clear we need more specialised teachers to share their enthusiasm for science and fire the ... More About: Belgium , Scientist , Engineers , Scientists
Design week 06, Nathalie Dewez exhibition
More articles from this author:2006-12-02 16:25:05 The Belgian designer Nathalie Dewez participated to the Desi gn week 06 at Vange, rue Américaine, 1060 Brussels (Sept. 8 to 10, 2006) More About: Week , Sign , Exhibition 1, 2, 3 |
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