Luis Delgado, Ministry of Education, Spain

 

Since the creation of universities, knowledge generation and transfer have been the main university missions. In the context of the present economic crisis and globalisation, their potential to contribute to innovation and to the development of a sustainable socio-economic regional and local growth has emerged as a third mission increasingly demanded by society and governments of different levels. These aspects are addressed in the Spanish Strategy University 2015 and the flagship programme of International Campus of Excellence. It aims to promote strategic collaboration among universities, other research institutions and business and industry placed within the campus, to develop knowledge ecosystems contributing to the socio-economic development, social cohesion and employment in the regions.