Fostering Innovation Management and University Business Linkages at Higher Education Institutions – iN4iN LATAM Chapter

The SEPT Competence Center (SEPT means Small Enterprise Promotion and Training at Leipzig University created 2008 out of a project the network “intelligence for innovation - iN4iN”. It includes member institutions, partner universities and private business development organisations in the area of promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship capacities. So far, we have mainly established partnerships in the African and Asian regions through various project activities. We coordinate the Network for Entrepreneurship in Africa (Africa-German Entrepreneurship Academy: www.ageacademy.de) and have established so-called chapters (cooperation association with iN4iN) in Ghana and Rwanda. Since we want to strengthen our collaborations in Latin America, we now have a stronger focus on this region to implement joint projects and to create an iN4iN LATAM Chapter. The iN4iN LATAM Chapter project plans to create a network (chapter) between Leipzig University and three Latin American partner universities. The network will host three units: The first unit will focus on capacity building for innovation management at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). With the second unit research activities and international exchange of master and PhD students will be strengthened. The third unit will support HEIs in creating and implementing strategies for the promotion of University Business Linkages (UBL). With these activities, the project focuses mainly on the role of HEIs in contributing to SDG 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. We place particular focus on target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and encouraging innovation with the training for both students and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, we address target 9.b “Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries'”. Leipzig University (SEPT Competence Center) as expert in the field of innovation management will have a mentoring role for the partner universities. Knowledge in innovation will be used to support ecological, social and economic transitions and tackle social/economical challenges. Each partner university from Latin America will use this innovation knowledge to address an additional SDG throughout their activities. Therefore, SDG 9 is to be seen as umbrella, under which three more SDGs (SDG 3 – Peru, SDG11 – Colombia, SDG 12 – Costa Rica) will be considered. The project is consequently to be assigned to the funding line I of the DAAD call.

Innovation Management
University Business Linkages
Service Learning
Sustainability
Transformative learning

Coordinar el capitulo Colombia de la Red en sus 4 pilares:
1. Improve graduate training structures at Master level
2. Research Exchange among the participating institutions
3. Innovation Management strategies to take up professional activities fostering local innovation systems
4. Processes and structures for knowledge and technology transfer towards the business sector