Nordic Higher Education Institutions’ Perspectives for the 2024–2029 European Parliament and Commission
Tuesday 19 March 2024, 13:00–20:00
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, Brussels (Polak room)
How can we harness the full potential of Nordic higher education institutions (HEIs) in fortifying the EU’s resilience on the global stage? Why is the entire HEI value chain, from basic to applied research, crucial for securing the EU’s future competitiveness? What are Nordic higher education institutions’ perspectives on the EU’s strategic autonomy?
Join us for thought-provoking conversations with many speakers playing key roles in shaping the EU’s research & innovation landscape. From Helsinki EU Office member organisations Isto Mattila, R&D Director, Laurea University of Applied Sciences will discuss HEIs’ perspectives on the Arctic and Eastern EU external border, defence and security in research and development, and Kai Lehikoinen, University Researcher, University of the Arts Helsinki will address HEIs’ role on economically and socially sustainable states fostering an equal and resilient EU.
With the dawn of the new EU legislative term, the timing is ideal to address the challenges facing the union and explore potential solutions. The event will place a spotlight on the crucial role Nordic higher education institutions can assume in bolstering the EU’s competitiveness and resilience.
We will hear insights from speakers such as Manuel Aleixo (Head of Unit, ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, DG RTD), Barbara Kauffmann (Director for Employment and Social Governance, DG EMPL), Ilias Iakovidis (Adviser, Digital Aspects of Green Transition, DG CNCT), Eduard Auer (Head of Division, Regional Eastern Partnership, Regional Cooperation and OSCE, EEAS), Jonas Cederlöf (Policy Officer, DG DEFIS), and other esteemed representatives and experts from the EU institutions and Nordic higher education institutions. The event will be moderated by Caroline Sundberg, Brussels representative & Senior EU Policy Officer of Lärosäten Syd, Universities in South Sweden.
This event is organised in the context of the EU R&I Week(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun) by Finnish higher education institutions engaged in advocacy work in Brussels, including HEIs from Helsinki, Turku, Oulu, Lappeenranta and Lahti regions, together with our Nordic partners.
Register here by 18 March(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Programme:
13:00-13:30 Registration
13:30-13:35 Opening words by the Moderator
Speaker: Caroline Sundberg, Brussels representative & Senior EU Policy Officer, Universities in South Sweden
13:35-13:45 Welcoming words: Gear up for action – charting the course for a resilient and competitive Europe
Speaker: Kalle-Antti Suominen, Vice-Rector for Research, University of Turku
13:45-13:55 Keynote: Why we need the entire value chain on board to secure the EU’s competitiveness and resilience – from basic research to applied research and beyond
Speaker: Manuel Aleixo, Head of Unit, ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, DG RTD, European Commission
13:55-14:05 Keynote: What kind of FP10 do we need to ensure the EU’s excellence in research, security and resilience?
Speaker: TBC, Member of the European Parliament
14:05-14:50 Panel I: HEIs’ role in the future of EU open strategic autonomy
Speakers:
TBC, Member of the European Parliament
Manuel Aleixo, Head of Unit, ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, DG RTD, European Commission
Thomas Ekman Jørgensen, Director, Policy Coordination and Foresight, European University Association
Vesa Taatila, Rector and President, Turku University of Applied Sciences
Taina Pihlajaniemi, Vice Rector for Research, University of Oulu
14:55-15:45 Panel II: HEIs’ contributions to green and digital transitions while securing the EU’s leading role in critical technologies
Speakers:
Ilias Iakovidis, Adviser, Digital Aspects of Green Transition, DG CNCT, European Commission
Marja Matinmikko-Blue, Research Director, University of Oulu
Kim Wikström, Professor of Industrial Management, Åbo Akademi University
Ellenor Devine, Head of Office, Research, Sweden’s Research and Innovation Office in Brussels (SWERI)
15:45-16:15 Coffee & networking break
16:20-17:10 Panel III: Perspectives on economically and socially sustainable states fostering an equal and resilient EU
Speakers:
Barbara Kauffmann, Director for Employment and Social Governance, DG EMPL, European Commission
Mikko Niemelä, Professor, INVEST Flagship, University of Turku
Kai Lehikoinen, University Researcher, University of the Arts Helsinki
Charlotte Eide, Head of Brussels Office, University of Bergen (UiB)
17:15-18:05 Panel IV: HEIs on the Arctic and Eastern EU external border – defence and security in research and development
Speakers:
Jonas Cederlöf, Policy Officer, DG DEFIS, European Commission
Eduard Auer, Head of Division, Regional Eastern Partnership, Regional Cooperation and OSCE, European External Action Service
Eija Tanskanen, Director, Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu
Petteri Laaksonen, Research Director, LUT University
Isto Mattila, R&D Director, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
18:10-18:30 Closing remarks: Nordic HEIs’ key messages for the 2024–2029 European Parliament and Commission
Speaker: Kalle-Antti Suominen, Vice-Rector for Research, University of Turku
18:30-20:00 Networking reception
