[dropcap letter="W"]
What adds value to the latest generation smartphone we carry in our pocket? The sum of the unit cost of its material components or the technological research behind the services it makes available to us? The whole world is living in a full transition towards a knowledge economy where the key to the progress of companies and the prosperity of society as a whole lies increasingly in the R&D departments of corporations, university classrooms, and research center laboratories.
And in this context, Catalonia starts from the privileged position of being a leading knowledge hub in Southern Europe. The weight of a dynamic economy connected to the world (1.6% of GDP and 1.9% of community exports with a population representing 1.5% of the EU) is accompanied by an excellent knowledge system, made up of 12 universities, 61 research centers, 22 science parks, 26,402 researchers, and 46,000 people dedicated to R&D&I.
First-class universities and internationalized research centers that translate into undeniable indicators of institutional success and scientific production: with 0.1% of the world's population, Catalonia produces 1.3% of scientific articles, 39% of which are in high-impact scientific Q1 journals; three Catalan universities are ranked among the top 50 in the world with less than 50 years; Catalan research centers occupying the top global positions in their fields, such as CRG, ICIQ, or ICFO; or the capture of 2.7% of European funds for competitive H2020 programs, among many others. A Catalan knowledge model, in short, fully aligned with the European Commission's proposals for open science, internationalized research, and open innovation, with active participation from all actors, including companies.
One of the most successful instruments to facilitate interaction between industry and academia is found in the Industrial Doctorates PlanIn the opinion of the Director General of Research of the Generalitat, Joan Gómez Pallarès, "Catalonia is undoubtedly one of the main research benchmarks in Europe; we have excellent universities, centers, and researchers with international standards and a high capacity to attract talent from all over the world. But it is necessary for us as a country to take a step forward to transfer this knowledge to society and the productive fabric, so that this quality research translates into innovative companies and quality employment." The Catalan government deploys knowledge and technology transfer policies based on empowering people to participate in the transformative impulse of knowledge, facilitating the arrival of knowledge to the market, and legally incentivizing the transfer process to companies. A smart specialization strategy that strengthens the links between the agents of the R&D&i system in those areas where Catalonia is most competitive.
One of the most successful instruments to facilitate interaction between industry and academia is the Industrial Doctorates Plan, an initiative of the Government to improve the competitiveness of Catalan industry by providing a gateway for future doctors to develop R&D&i projects within the framework of a company. Industrial doctors act as true bridges for knowledge transfer between Catalonia's industrial fabric and universities and research centers. Since the program was launched in 2013, 437 doctoral projects have been undertaken in 269 companies and institutions from all fields, representing a public-private investment worth more than 60 million euros.
In parallel, the Knowledge Industry Program has demonstrated its effectiveness by fostering the development of new science-based companies (spin-offs) derived from research carried out in universities and research centers. Integrated into the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart Specialization of Catalonia (RIS3CAT), the plan mobilizes 30 million euros in financial and non-financial aid to some 300 research-based business projects to accompany them from the initial prototyping phase to their introduction to the market.
The Government also emphasizes the incentive for knowledge transfer through the FEDER Operational Program of Catalonia 2014-2020, which determines the basic lines for the programming and execution of FEDER funds in Catalonia. Funds are allocated for cooperative projects for the acquisition of scientific equipment and for projects of valuation and transfer units of Catalan universities or research results transfer offices, in several calls for aid that have amounted to 132 million euros to different programs and actions in this area.
NATIONAL PACT FOR THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY
The horizon of affirming Catalonia's transition towards a knowledge-based society involves making innovation a structuring pillar, as contemplated in the National Pact for the Knowledge Society (PNSC), the reference framework for the design of future policies in universities, research, and innovation promoted by the Government for this legislature. An agreement with a transversal and consensus-based vocation that was born to integrate and give voice to all agents involved in the generation, transmission, and application of knowledge: the higher education system, the research and innovation system, and, of course, the social and business fabric.
The underlying will of the PNSC is ambitious: to imagine the Catalonia of the future. And here the country has room for improvement. In a future focused on innovation, investment in R&D&I must progressively increase to reach the strategic objective of dedicating 3% of GDP. This will be the true cornerstone to guarantee the country's integration into the European elite of economic, cultural, and social development. The journey to reach this milestone is equivalent to practically doubling the current investment, a joint public and private effort that especially involves the business world, while public investment must increase by 0.2% to reach the standards of excellence of the most prosperous territories. That of the business fabric has a path to travel of 1.2 percentage points. It is therefore necessary to encourage the private sector in its dual role as a recipient and contributor of innovation.
Add The New Barcelona Post as your preferred Google source for free
Stay informed with the latest news.
