University

Innovation and cooperation in the Alps-Adriatic region: new agreement between Ca’ Foscari, the University of Klagenfurt, Unioncamere Veneto and the Carinthian Economic Chamber

Antonio Santocono, Ada Pellert, Tiziana Lippiello, Jürgen Mandl

Strategic cooperation between academia and the business community in the Alps-Adriatic region is being strengthened through a high-level partnership. On Friday 11 September, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Sala Rimoldi in Venice by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the University of Klagenfurt, Unioncamere Veneto and the Carinthian Economic Chamber. The ceremony was attended by the heads of the four institutions: Rector Tiziana Lippiello, Rector Ada Pellert, President Antonio Santocono and President Jürgen Mandl.

The Memorandum was signed at the conclusion of the workshop “Open Universities and Regional Stakeholders Driving Cross-Border Innovation”, which brought together research communities and representatives from the business sector. During the event, facilitated by PInK, Ca’ Foscari’s technology transfer office, participants and institutional representatives explored the key themes underpinning the agreement, combining reflections on the current state of play in both countries with practical workshops aimed at developing approaches and solutions that can foster synergies between academic research and the business community across borders.

The initiative stems from a shared commitment to addressing global challenges through structured cooperation, harnessing the opportunities offered by the Alps-Adriatic region and seeking to create an integrated ecosystem in which universities and businesses can work together to promote innovation, competitiveness and regional development.

The agreement focuses on three key pillars designed to ensure tangible impact:

  • Support for start-ups and spin-offs: the creation of a cross-border hub – both digital and physical – to share infrastructure and innovation services and facilitate networking and mentoring initiatives.
  • University-business collaboration: the promotion of applied research projects, industrial PhDs and “innovation challenges” designed to connect research communities, students and businesses.
  • Internationalisation and talent: strengthening student mobility through cross-border internships and more effective mechanisms for matching academic skills with labour market needs.

To ensure that the agreed objectives are implemented, the Memorandum also provides for the establishment of a Steering Committee comprising representatives from each institution, tasked with monitoring the progress of activities and overseeing project management.

The three-year agreement provides a flexible framework for cooperation. Individual initiatives will be governed by specific agreements, allowing the partnership to adapt as the economic and scientific landscape evolves.

Francesca Favaro