Opening
The Neth-ER (Netherlands house for Education and Research) officially opened its doors on the 21st of February with a mini symposium about the ‘Europe of Knowledge beyond 2010’ and a reception. Approximately 300 guests participated in the event (see pictures). The symposium started with four representatives of European institutions, Dutch government, education and industry giving their views on the Europe of Knowledge beyond 2010.
The Dutch ambassador to the European Union, mr. Tom de Bruijn, opened the symposium on behalf of the Dutch minister for Education, Culture and Science. He pointed out that Europe of Knowledge requires a broad approach that not only includes a better cooperation in vocational education and training (VET), the creation of a European higher education area (EHEA), the creation of a European research area (ERA) and the link with innovation, but also primary and secondary education, adult education and culture. His advice is to consider offering other Dutch organisations in these field a membership in Neth-ER.
The vice-president of Philips Research, mr. Emile Aarts, emphasised that we shouldn’t get lost in theoretical considerations about the future of the Europe of Knowledge, but try to look at trends and developments. He underlined the importance of equal partnerships between industry, government and knowledge institutions.
Subsequently sir Brian Fender, chairman of the Institute of Knowledge Transfer UK and Ireland, emphasised the vision of the knowledge institutions. His primary message was built upon the intrinsic connectedness between education, research and innovation. Knowledge transfer is a part of innovation cycle that one can see as the Cinderella of the three fields and that requires professionalism.
At the end, Neth-ER was honoured by the president of the European Commission (EC), mr. José Manuel Barroso, who concluded the symposium with his vision. Barroso called Neth-ER an example for the rest of Europe given the interconnectedness of education, research and innovation in its mission. He spoke with hope and confidence about the Europe of Knowledge: ”(…) today you are turning the page. Neth–ER will build on past successes and will introduce an important new element in its mission: integrating education, research and innovation. I cannot agree more with this choice, because it corresponds to the Commission’s own strategy - what I call integrating the three sides of the knowledge triangle. You are setting an example that I believe will be followed by many.” Parts of his speech can be viewed in a video of the opening.