The JRC and Regione Puglia have been collaborating on a set of activities, as part of the JRC project of “Targeted Support for RIS3 Implementation” since 2016. A set of further activities are now planned, centred on the role of universities and higher education in RIS3 implementation. The activities have two main aims: a) To promote the integration of higher education, research, innovation and regional development in S3 policy mixes, particularly in the use of European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds. b) To help build innovation capabilities by looking at the role of HEIs in regional partnerships Regione Puglia, ARTI Puglia and the JRC have co-identified two topics to be studied and addressed: a) The role of Istituti Tecnici Superiori (Higher Technical Institutes, or ITS) in S3. b) The role of doctoral training in S3

Sharing experiences regarding the way in which Higher Education organisations develop innovative dynamics and promote good practices

The thematic University-Business Forum took place in Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuania. It brought together around 200 high-level representatives from higher education, business as well as national, regional and local authorities from Europe and beyond. There was no registration fee for the Forum.

The Forum brought together 300 high-level representatives from; higher education institutions; large companies; SME's, relevant European organisations and associations; as well as national, regional and local authorities from Europe and beyond.

This conference was organised by the Polish Government and DG Education and Culture and addressed issues related to Entrepreneurship and Higher Education, Institutional Change and University-Business Cooperation, and presented how the current and future European programmes (2014–2020) are supporting and will continue to support activities in these fields.