HESS Introductory meeting in Navarra

On 6^th May, the Development Agency of Navarra (SODENA) hosted an introductory meeting for the HESS pilot project in Navarra.

The main objective was to launch a self-assessment exercise related to the role of the higher education system in the region's smart specialisation strategy.

The meeting gathered regional stakeholders representing universities (private and public), vocational education and training centres, research institutions and technological poles, among others.

The meeting was a chance to share knowledge on key initiatives already promoted by HEIs in Navarra, such as:

• The Business and Social Forum of Navarra Public University (UPNA)
• The ADITECH ecosystem approach that brings together existing research centres in different knowledge fields
• CENIFER as provider of targeted training in response to regional needs in renewable energy.

These initiatives are all driven by HE actors and seek to identify innovation links among a varied group of stakeholders, especially the business sector.

Overall the participants considered the HESS project as an excellent opportunity to reflect on the challenges to the territorial engagement of HEIs and their role in S3 implementation.