In the Master School and the Doctoral Training Network integration of the industry and cities is critical to secure relevance and to achieve Knowledge Triangle Integration. We have a number of ways to realize this integration but need to secure a lasting and perceived value and commitment by involved parties.
In other areas outside EIT Urban Mobility we see examples where such initiative over time do not live up to set ambitions. The reason seems to be either an unbalanced distribution of generated value or that the partnership and involvement becomes too resources intensive to handle. However, when such partnerships do work, the experience seems to be that the created value goes beyond the initial ambitions and that additional ways to cooperate are developed.
Do you agree with the statements above? How significant is this issue or risk? What may the reasons be causing this issue?
We should here focus on trying to understand the nature of the problem, so please try to avoid to discuss concrete solutions, even if it is difficult. Potential solutions will be discussed in the next step of the process.
EIT Urban Mobility Academy Calls 
I would agree with the statement. Could it come down to leadership? Meaning: someone always have to take “lead”?
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I agree with it. One of the reason is that cities/ industries lose the sense of relevance of being involved after a while. They are simulated (by academic institutes) to join an initiative at the beginning and then along the way the communication diminishes and sometimes entirely disappears. One solution is to set a clear value proposition for each party from the outset and set assessment indicators to measure the extent of delivery of those values over the time.
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Especially in public domain, organizations are usually under resourced. That is why we are also training new people. In addition, public and private sector have often been treated by academia as a source of data or money only – not as a partner for long-term learning. So we have to think about how to we have phases of this cooperation? Neither side can and should expect high investment, high return from day one. In all our cooperation processes, it has taken a vision of people to stay in the cooperation process for many years, only to see benefits of learning after year 3 or 4. So, I would rather ask – what can academia do to change its own expectations too?
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In order to keep a long-lasting relationship between industry and academia, two formal instruments should be adopted. One the one hand, there should be an instrument through which the academy can explore the potential social needs, develop ideas, and experiment in the borderlines of current knowledge. And, on the other hand, there should be an instrument which allows the industry to absorb academy talents by offering adequate working conditions.
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In the triangle of knowledge where cities, industries and academia / research converge, it is important to understand that the objectives of each of the parties are different as well as the rhythms of work.
Cities seek solutions to their problems but that are capable of managing with their limited resources and within their bureaucratic and public financing processes.
Companies seek innovation, research, talent, but also learning and motivation for their own teams, all in a sustainable model at an economic level that responds to the problems of the market, of cities, of people.
On the other hand, academia need to have industry and cities as a complementary and fundamental part of their learning processes that unites theory with the real world.
Shaping processes in which an impact problem is engaged, in the sense that each one feels from their position that it contributes to generating a positive change in the society and that at the same time can respond to each of their needs is the great challenge . The subject is complex … and exciting.
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As stated lastly, this is “complex … and exiting”. There seems to be a consensus regarding the need and challenge, but this does not seem to be enough for a separate call focus area. This need and solution rather need to be integrated on a horizontal level and included wherever a multi stakeholder approach is taken. In all cases there need to be a balance in terms of value creation and inputs. A topic and requirement to stress when required.
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