Q- As a professor at the School of Telecommunication Engineering, now at the Computer Engineering School, and a former UPM delegate in Asia, as well as founder and Director of the Xiji Incubator in Shanghai, could you share more about your experience in these roles? How has your time in China shaped your approach to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship?

A- For the past twenty years, I have been teaching, researching, and publishing on tech-driven innovation, a natural convergence of my expertise in both engineering and economics. However, it was my time spent in China and Asia that prompted deeper reflection on the relationship between disruptive innovations—often rooted in deep-tech—competitiveness, economic productivity, and ultimately, international dominance or even hegemony. This narrative has shaped public discourse in China for at least the last decade, and is now, finally, emerging in Europe, most notably through the recent Draghi report, which I largely support, especially in terms of the call for urgent and immediate action. In fact, through EELISA, we have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this paradigm shift.

Q- You are not only an advocate for digital policies but also a co-founder of the EELISA Community Tech Diplomacy, aimed at positioning EELISA as key mover of EU technoscience diplomacy. Do you believe geopolitics play a crucial role in shaping the engineering landscape today?

A- The world order of the past seventy years has already shifted toward what increasingly resembles a multipolar structure, akin to a digital and interconnected version of the Cold War—tragically punctuated by instances of actual conflict, particularly in or near Europe. It would be naïve to assume that decisions regarding technology and innovation have only national consequences, especially in an open economy like Europe’s. As a direct outcome, it is urgently necessary for technologists to recognize the lack of neutrality in their choices concerning innovation pathways, and the significant impact these decisions may have on societal values and the shaping of future societies. 

Q- As a Jean Monnet Chair, you focus on providing students with a deeper understanding of EU policies and institutions. How do you see this role contributing to the broader dissemination of EU knowledge outside academia, such as in public policy and civil society?

A- I must say I am a committed Europeanist. Only by remaining united can Europe face the increasingly complex challenges ahead. However, it’s not just about policies and institutions; what I encourage students and the broader public to reflect on is what truly defines us as Europeans—our core, shared values. Among these, the respect for and empowerment of civil society in contrast to market forces and authoritarian governments is fundamental. Therefore, I strive to guide tech-related students toward understanding that their future decisions, as managers and key decision-makers, can help keep Europe united and strengthen its civil society and values.

Q- In your role as Rector’s Delegate for Entrepreneurship and Acting Director of the Innovation Support Center, what are the key challenges facing aspiring entrepreneurs? How do you envision EELISA contributing to overcoming these challenges?

A- There are no hidden secrets to successful entrepreneurship and innovation within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); it relies on talent, risk-taking capital, and a supportive framework, both hard and soft. Talent is abundant across EELISA. The real challenges lie in Europe’s risk-averse culture when it comes to seed funding, particularly for deep-tech ventures, and the absence of a truly unified European market as a foundational framework. In my view, EELISA should demonstrate that addressing these two challenges will lead to the successful transfer of knowledge from HEIs to the European economy and society—not just isolated national markets. Achieving this will require EELISA to adopt an ambitious approach, potentially establishing an independently governed entity for tech transfer, raising a deep-tech seed fund, and creating a robust, European-scale entrepreneurship ecosystem centered around EELISA.