HIVE project’s “Handbook of good practices for network development and knowledge exchange” successfully delivered

Throughout Phase 1, partners shared their participation in different networks and identified good practices of networking and knowledge exchange and discussed practices of network establishment and management. In addition, three HIVE Networking Webinars, organised during 2022, facilitated the exchange, discussion and networking between HIVE partners.

Defined as a multi-node and multiple partners’ network, more than 80 active networks were identified and shared within the consortium. This Handbook comprises networking efforts related to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurial capacities, improving commercialization innovation ecosystems, and exchanging related knowledge and good practices. The identified networks include relevant regional, national, transnational, European and global collaborations and co-operations.

The Handbook also covers experience of the HIVE partners in dealing with the EIT Health Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) network, underlining the EIT KICs’ vision of a network of networks by connecting with cluster initiatives and business support organisations and regional associations. Shown along with the EIT’s (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) Knowledge Triangle of education, research and business, the collected network and cooperation activities demonstrate the important role of education and entrepreneurship in the development and application of research and education to solve specific societal problems. The networking activities of the HIVE partners broadly reflect observations and trends towards a capacity building of entrepreneurship and innovation activities in European Higher Education Institutions.

Among the networks presented in the Handbook, two widely accepted and acknowledged networks in the higher education sector in Europe stand out particularly: the European University Association and the Observatory Magna Charta Universitatum.

With members from more than 850 universities and national rectors’ conferences in 49 European countries, the European University Association (EUA) presents itself as providing unrivalled opportunities to share best practices by participating in projects, events and other mutual-learning activities, playing a crucial role in the Bologna Process and in influencing the EU policies on higher education, research and innovation. Several HIVE partners are members to the EUA, including the Czech University of Life Sciences, Bukovinian State Medical University, ESSEC Business School, University of Coimbra, University of Latvia and Dnipro University of Technology.

960 universities from 94 countries have signed either or both of the Magna Charta Universitatum drafted in 1988 and 2020, including TED (Turkish Education Association) University, Bukovinian State Medical University, Riga Stradiņš University, University of Coimbra and University of Latvia. This allows them to work together ensuring the integrity of intellectual and scientific work in institutions and society, thus reinforcing trust in relationship between universities and their communities.