Higher Education for Smart Specialisation in Lubelskie, Poland

Findings from action research in Lubelskie, Poland on the role of Higher Education Institutions in the design and implementation of its Smart Specialisation Strategy.

Abstract

This technical report contains the findings of action research that was carried out in the Polish region of Lubelskie on the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the design and implementation of its Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3). It is one of ten case studies undertaken in the project on Higher Education for Smart Specialisation (HESS), an initiative of the Joint Research Centre and DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.

The research shows that HEIs in Lubelskie have great potential to contribute to innovation and regional development, with strong and complementary universities as well as research institutions and higher vocational institutions. The overall issue of S3 governance is tackled and shows a good partnership between the Marshal’s Office and the regional HEIs, built on a history of cooperation in developing innovation strategies, which is longer than that of other Polish regions. However, the role of HEIs in implementing S3 is hampered by a lack of targeted instruments in the EU co-financed regional operational programme. In particular, the current situation of subcontracting HEIs by companies for research and innovation projects has not led to their successful mobilisation. As for education, there are several interesting instruments in the relevant national education programme but they are not linked to S3 implementation.

In addition to the governance of S3, the action research focused on the role of HEIs in two priority domains, namely the bioeconomy and photonics. It reveals two contrasting approaches to the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, a key element of the Smart Specialisation concept: One relies on technology push by building on the research strengths of the regional HEIs, with the other being led more by the market. Both priorities have a lot to offer the region but appropriate lessons are needed on how to increase their impact and critical mass. Based on the results of this action research specific recommendations are put forward to support the process of revising the Lubelskie S3.