Are you a dynamic and forward-thinking person with a unique ability and ambition to bring education and business together? Then, you might be interested to know that the deadline to submit candidacies for the “EELISA Industrial Chair” call has just been extended.
The figure of the “Industrial Chair” plays a pivotal role in fostering mutually beneficial partnerships, driving collaboration, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. This position calls for someone with a passion for cultivating relationships, a keen understanding of the evolving landscape of both education and business and the ability to strategize innovative initiatives that will enhance the synergy between these two spheres. If you are a proactive and strategic thinker who thrives on building bridges, we invite you to apply!
Q. How do you envision the specific role of this “EELISA “Industrial Chair?
A. An Industrial Chair, also known as an Industrial Research Chair or an Industrial Professorship, is a prestigious academic position that involves a close partnership between a university or research institution and an industry or a consortium of industrial partners. The primary objective of an Industrial Chair is to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation between academia and industry. The EELISA Industrial Chair can facilitate hands-on collaboration between academia and industry, involving multiple partner institutes to harness their collective expertise and resources for the advancement of research and innovation.
If the EELISA Industrial Chair is defined as an agreement between a university and a company rather than an individual, the portfolio would take a different form. Instead of showcasing an individual’s qualifications and experiences, it would involve the documentation and details of the agreement itself, highlighting the collaborative framework and the intended outcomes. A clear statement must be made of the shared objectives and goals of the collaboration between the university and the collaborating company. This should include a description of the intended research areas, innovation targets, and mutual benefits. It must explicitly name at least two EELISA partner institutions the chair would collaborate with.
Q. Can you tell us about potential activities what would be developed under this Chair?
A. The Industrial Chair can organize hackathons or innovation challenges that bring together teams of students and researchers from multiple EELISA partner institutes to solve real-world industry problems. These events encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and result in innovative solutions. Hosting joint research symposia or conferences that involve researchers and experts from at least two EELISA partner institutes. These events provide a platform for sharing research findings, discussing emerging trends, and exploring potential research collaborations with industry.
Q. How do you think this Chair will enhance the collaboration between academia and industry?
A. The EELISA Industrial Chair can develop internship programs where students from one EELISA partner institution can work on industry projects hosted by another partner institution. This allows students to gain practical experience while promoting cross-institutional collaboration.
Further activity can be organising networking events, such as industry-academia mixers or roundtable discussions, where representatives from industry and academia from different partner institutions can connect, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaboration opportunities.
Q. How will contribute to the outreach of EELISA’s mission as a whole?
A. The EELISA Industrial Chair serves as a crucial link between academia and industry, enhancing the outreach of EELISA by actively fostering collaborations. Through joint research projects, publications, and industry engagement, the Industrial Chair amplifies EELISA’s visibility, positioning it as a hub for innovative solutions and impactful industry-academia partnerships. The Chair’s involvement in conferences, student engagement, and policy advocacy further contributes to EELISA’s influence, showcasing the consortium’s commitment to driving technological advancements and addressing real-world challenges. In summary, the Industrial Chair plays a pivotal role in expanding the network, visibility, and impact of EELISA within the academic, industrial, and broader research communities.
Q. And finally, what are the eligibility criteria to become a nominee?
To maintain the flexibility and adaptability of the EELISA Industrial Chair nomination process, the eligibility criteria may vary depending on the chosen model within each member university. However, certain fundamental principles should be adhered to:
Nominees should possess expertise, experience, and qualifications commensurated with their role within the chosen model (e.g., industry professional, professor, or representative of a company).
Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to fostering collaboration between industry and academia. For the formalized agreement model, both the university and the company should be willing to actively engage in collaborative initiatives.
Balázs Bokor