university–enterprise cooperation

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Training 2010 program and it is implemented
through the open method of coordination
and indicators and provides support to the
exchange of experiences and good practices.
The Bonn Declaration - also appeals for the
empowerment of all stakeholders throughout
can be built the effective and sustainable
university-enterprise cooperation. By this
declaration there is a need for structured
dialogue and decision, within and between
relevant interested groups, and a better
understanding of the dynamics of the
knowledge society. By Bologna Process the
position of higher education is in a crossroad
of research, education and innovation, and
in this position lays the competitiveness of
Europe Community.
Additionally, at the informal meeting at
Hampton Court in October 2005, and at
the 2006 Spring European Council, it was
highlighted how university plays a primary role
as foundation of European competitiveness,
and how actions were needed by the end of
2007 in the context of the renewed partnership
for growth and employment.
A concrete action of such policy is surely the
Life-long Learning Program 2007-2013
(Erasmus strand) has a specific line for projects
on university-enterprise cooperation.
In the Vision 2020 for European Research
Area (Brussels, 2 December 2008) the
Competitiveness Council stressed the vital
importance of intensified interaction between
policy areas, notably higher education,
research and innovation.
These themes were also recently at the
center of the conference The Knowledge
Triangle: Shaping the Future of Europe
(Gothenburg, 31 August–2 September
2009), focused on the central role the higher
education in the knowledge triangle and for
European competitiveness. The conference
emphasized the need for continued political
decision-making regarding the European
Research Area and for development of the
European Innovation Plan with main focus
on the interaction between education,
research and innovation at national and
European policy level.
3.1.4. Legislation
European Commission has produced several
legal documents on specific fields of EU
activity: legislative instruments, preparatory
acts, case law, etc.
Documentation can be divided according to
specific field of application. In particular, with
regard to university-enterprise cooperation,
five main groups of actions can be identified:
• European Union policy in the field of
research and innovation [46];
• Recognition of diplomas and qualifications
in the European Union [47];
• Employment [48];
• Lisbon Strategy [49].
In particular the first one (research and
innovation policy) collects a number of
legislative instruments, preparatory acts
and court judgments which cover almost all
most important aspects of the issue:
• Establishment of technology institutes;
• Support to small and medium enterprises;
• Founding;
• Management of intellectual property in
knowledge transfer activities;
• Collaborations with extra-European
countries;
• Promotion of creativity and innovation
through education and training;
• Establishment of proper research area
boards and councils.
Also, in agreement with Lisbon strategy,
European Commission stressed that:
• A knowledge-based society and economy
needs an adequate level of key competences;
• Increases in workers’ skills and
competences improve productivity,
since a skilled workforce is better able
to respond to the changes of a dynamic
knowledge economy, while people with
higher levels of skills and competences
are more likely to be socially integrated,
fulfilled and active citizens;
• Economic growth will be influenced by
broadness of actions: investment in skills
and competences has to be extended