University research, R&D and business co-operation

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President Ritva Laakso-ManninenHAAGA-HELIA University of Applied

Sciences Helsinki, Finland

Research and R&D Research

Basic scientific research, the purpose of which is to increase our understanding of the many phenomena of our world and society

Emphasis of which is on an international level and also it is more often supported by international research funds

Research and Development Applied research geared toward the needs of business

and industry, the purpose of which is not only to understand but also to be applied in day to day business operations

It often has a regional emphasis, and it is supported by national research funds and corporate funding

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The position of traditional universities and UAS in the knowledge infrastructure

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Applied research is growing rapidly, major drivers: Meeting the needs of a knowledge-based economy Boosting regional innovativeness Focus on SME’s Relevance for professional education Relevance for professional practice

Applied research is itself a driver for the development of business and society as a whole

(EDUPROF 2009: Research in UAS in Europe)10.04.23

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Major challenges Defining basic research and applied research in

practical situations is not an easy task Applied research is sometimes seen as having of

less value Applied research requires increased speed in order

to keep up with the operating rhythm of companies Companies (especially SME’s) are interested in

research co-operation, but they are not very keen on paying for it

(EDUPROF 2009: Research in UAS in Europe)

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Private University of Applied Sciences Student enrolment 10 000 (1000 int.

students), 6 campuses Personnel 650/450 teachers Bachelor’s and Master’s level

education International Degree Programmes in English,

Finnish and Swedish 180 international partner institutions

www.haaga-helia.fi 23.2.2009

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Facts of HAAGA-HELIA

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Fields of education

BusinessHotel and restaurant

Tourism management

Information technology

Journalism

Management assistant training

Sports management

Vocational teacher education

R&D at HAAGA-HELIA

Our aim is to support the competitiveness of business

The needs of companies are the base for our R&D operations

We focus on the following strategic areas: Service concepts and sales New business opportunities and ICT supporting

business New learning solutions

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Criteria of a good project at HAAGA-HELIAThe project…has a genuine business orientationis one of HAAGA-HELIA’s strategic focus areasis based on joint planning and operation with corporate partnershas external fundingincludes student participantspools expertise from different units and has participants from across HAAGA-HELIA

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Case example:Workplace communication R&D project

Project objectivesto investigate what communication is like in knowledge-based organisations today what kinds of expectations are targeted at such organisationsand also to develop methods for communication planning, implementation and assessment.

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Workplace communication: Project phases

1) Research of the situation in Finnish companies 2) Analysis of results together with experts from diverse companies 3) A book on the results (Juholin 2009: The Revolution in Communications )

4) Development of a measurement tool for communication assessment (ComBaro)

5) The communication assessment tool was licenced to a corporate partner who is implementing it with its customers.

6) Research in internationally operating companies The project included HAAGA-HELIA’s experts and students. Students

have participated in project tasks and completed theses on various aspects of the project.

Cooperation with companies has been tight, more than 800 participants from over 70 organisations.

The project has been funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund, several companies and HAAGA-HELIA.

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To summarize

Up-to-date research and R&D are core elements in advancing modern society, they both contribute to the development of business and society as a whole

Both basic and applied research are necessary, they both have a special role to play

The key element in national innovation systems is to integrate research, R&D and business

Also all higher education should be tied to research and R&D

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Thank you!

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