Universities Participation in EU's R&D Programmes: the Role of Universities Libraries? [paper]

Author: Brigita Exelová,  Moravian Library, Czech Republic

Fulltexts

Abstract

Since the 90s, the European Union – a part of which is also the Czech Republic – has put emphasis on pro-innovation politisc. The awareness of the fact that a long-term keeping or renewing the competition advantages may be pursued only by means of science and research in innovation activities, is expressed by numerous documents and projects published in given period. As a recent example may serve the project of the European Research Area (ERA) and the ongoing 6th Framework programme (2002 – 2006).

A substantial part of the innovation system, above all its essential article – local, regional innovation system – are considered (apart from research institutes) universities. The research carried out on the academic soil, undoubtebly in connection with the needs of local companies, may (and should) have a profound positive influence on the regional economy, and thus state economy. The requirement for the universities to function as a pro-innovation contributer widens the traditional role of the university (research, teaching) by the third dimension, which is an intended transfer on new technologies into industrial practice.

Libraries, the traditional information institutions joined to universities, have fulfilled especially the first two functions of higher education – research and teaching. The question is in what way and if at all the need of a university is saturated into such information that would enable it to play effectively its role in the innovation system.

The necessity of an adequate information support may be illustrated on a particular issue. If one of the possibilities for our universities to acquire desperately needed finance for maintaining of research is participation in programmes declared by the EU, what kind of information, what professional support may increase the probability of a project to be accepted and financial support? And – until our universities are equipped with regard to the issue of commercial transfer of technologies of professional workplaces – may the libraries be of any help? If so, how?

About the author

Study and Degrees:

• Institute of the Czech language and Library Science, Faculty of Philosophy and Science of the Silesian University in Opava, Czech Republic; 3 year studies finished by final bachelor´s examination; graduating with bachelors degree
• Institute of Information Studies and Librarianship of the Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; 2 years extension studies finished by defense of final-year thesis and state final examination; graduating with Master´s degree in Information Science

Occupation:

• Department of Automation and Databases, Moravian Library, Brno, Czech Republic

Primary professional interest:

(currently theme of my thesis that is elaborated in doctorate thesis) - intellectual property, innovation, technology transfer and exploitation of research results, the paradigm of present-day science