Abstract:

The knowledge-based economy is the model of the future European economy. This high-tech economy is also the driving force behind present structural changes in universities, research and the resulting natural habitat for many new innovative entreprises.
These entreprises need well-trained and skilled employees, a stable and forward looking management and investors, and, if possible, research results from universities and research centrers that can be easily converted to patents and innovative products and services.
Mr. Jean-Marc Rapp, president of the European University Association (EUA), stated "Universities are the key integrating environment of the European Research Area (ERA), providing key input that drives the process and its implementation. The key challenges hereby are :
- Strengthening the links between teaching and research in curricula development and employability
-The development of specific European research profiles supporting this university-enterprise cooperation
- International competition and cooperation of student and research exchange programs in universities and industry
- Building models of university-business cooperation and partnerships.
Using the playground and examples in a TEMPUS proposal between University College Ghent (UCBG), other (western) European universities, industry-organisations and research groups, Russian, Ukrainian and Kazachstan partners in University Educational-Research-Innovative centers we measure and enhance the operational efficiency of the knowledge triangle. This effect is supported by organisation standards, dynamic concepts and technological interfaces. Interoperability is enhanced by best practices for knowledge transfer, renewed standards and better integration.
Examples from self-sercies services, value creation of ICT in business and excellent University-Enterpise will help to renew the models of the excellent action and will create higher margins and higher Operational efficienty in the neigbourhood. Some East-European countries are very eager to get a new clear law, and bigger participation in this personnel friendly environment.
We will make the analogy with western European higher education.

UCG and partners have an important TEMPUS, European and local experience in innovative environments. They advise how to enable this type of interoperability and cooperation in higher education.

Keywords:

Conceptual frameworks, standards for interoperability, TEMPUS, research triangle, ERICs Education, Research, Industry Centers, entrepreneurship, research.