Bridging the EU innovation divide

On 10 April, the VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands) andNeth-ER will organise the networking event ‘Bridging the EU Innovation Divide'.   16.00-16.30 Welcome coffee/tea 16.30-16.40   Opening by Elmer Sterken, Rector Magnificus University of Groningen Welcome address by Ronald van Roeden, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the European Union 16.40-17.25     Panel discussion moderated by Elmer Sterken, Rector Magnificus University of GroningenStanislaw Kistryn, Vice-Rector Jagiellonian University KrakowMagda De Carli, Head of Unit for Spreading of excellence and widening participation, DG Research and Innovation Ronald de Bruin, Director COST Member of the European Parliament (tbc) 17.25-17.50 Matchmaking sessions  17.50-18.00 Wrap-up and closing remarks 18.00-19.00 Reception Reaching across the divide Excellence in R&D knows no boundaries and is therefore not confined to any geographical area. As Dutch universities and research institutions, we feel committed to actively engage in new collaborations with stakeholders from all over Europe. We need to build the knowledge base of Europe as a whole and not just in specific regions. However, in the EU we see an innovation divide between regions and countries. More R&D collaboration to bridge this divide would strenghten the European Research Area and would enable pockets of excellence to reach their full potential. Therefore, with this event we aim to build bridges where needed.  For whom? This networking event aims at connecting researchers, policy advisors and other staff of knowledge institutes with representatives from countries that are eligible under the Horizon 2020 Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation actions. In addition, national and regional authorities from these countries are cordially invited as well.   Register here