Abstract:

In this paper we present non-traditional, radical university arrangements that we implemented in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at FAU in order to create an entrepreneurial university. In the present state of the economy, research funding has been drastically reduced – these are chances for universities. However, universities can only effectively become incubators of entrepreneurship and innovation if they themselves practice entrepreneurship. This “re-conceptualization” involves non-traditional, often radical university arrangements. In this presentation, we describe our entrepreneurial, research and innovation strategy in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, which we implemented during the last several years. The backbone of our new concept is the NSF-sponsored Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement with 25 industry members, a more than 20 applied research projects. In addition, we implemented an innovation leadership program for the best students, providing courses in entrepreneurship, business, and communications. The university has created Research Park at university premises with more than 30 high-tech companies; as part of our strategy we established various kinds of collaborations with these companies. We also have a strong Industry Advisory Board with 25 industry executives who advice us in running our engineering programs. Finally, we created joined industry/university laboratories, in which our faculty and students work jointly with industry scientists and engineers in creating innovative systems and products. We also present several research projects and its applied results in the area of multimedia and big data.

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial university, industry/university cooperative research center.