HEInnovate

Logo of the HEInnovate

HEInnovate is a self assessment tool for European higher education institutions initiated by the European Commission and OECD with support from a panel of six independent experts. Established in 2013, HEInnovate has been used by more than 500 higher education institutes in all 28 EU Member States.

History

HEInnovate began as an idea first discussed at the March 2011 University Business Forum, a European forum which brings together universities and businesses to look at mechanisms for cooperation and encourage knowledge sharing. A group of participants at the event formulated a recommendation to take a closer look at the underlying concepts and characteristics of an Entrepreneurial Higher Education Institution and to develop a Guiding Framework that would be made available as a tool for learning and inspiration. As a result this framework was produced under the aegis of the European Commission's DG Education and Culture, in collaboration with the OECD LEED forum.

Introduction

HEInnovate is intended for higher education institutions (universities, university colleges, polytechnics, etc.) who are interested in assessing themselves against a number of statements of self-reflection related to the entrepreneurial nature of their higher education environment. As a self assessment tool, the framework aims to help higher education institutions identify their current situation and potential areas of action, taking into account their local and national environments. HEInnovate is not to be confused with a benchmarking tool. The self-assessment tool serves as a framework to help determine strengths and weaknesses and to provide higher education institutions with access to good practice case studies.

Dimensions of self-assessment

HEInnovate covers seven areas of self reflection. Under each of the seven areas, statements have been designed and individuals can assign a score for each statement from 0-5.

• Leadership and Governance
• Organisational Capacity, People and Incentives
• Entrepreneurship development in teaching and learning
• Pathways for entrepreneurs
• HEI – business/external relationships for knowledge exchange
• The Entrepreneurial HEI as an internationalised institution
• Measuring the impact of the Entrepreneurial HEInnovate

Leadership and Governance

This section of HEInnovate explores those factors which relate to the leadership and governance of a higher education institution. Strong leadership and good governance are recognised as essential qualities to develop an entrepreneurial culture in an institution. HEInnovate concept note underlines, with references to literature, that entrepreneurial culture is distinct from enterprising endeavours. HEInnovate assesses the former.

Organisational Capacity, People and Incentives

This section highlights some of the key areas that HEInnovate recommends for higher education institutions to minimize the organisational constraints and fulfil its entrepreneurial agenda. This includes the financial strategy, attracting and retaining the right people and incentivising entrepreneurial behaviour in individuals.

Entrepreneurship development in teaching and learning

This section of the framework highlights what HEInnovate considers as areas through which entrepreneurial development can take place.

Pathways for entrepreneurs

This section of the framework gives statements for HEIs who wish to support intrapreneurs in their career development or enterprising individuals on their pathway to becoming an entrepreneur.

HEI – business/external relationships for knowledge exchange

There are several components to the external environment including relationships with the public sector, regions, businesses, alumni, professional bodies etc. The motivation for this commitment is to create value for the Higher Education Institution and society.

The Entrepreneurial HEI as an internationalised institution

This section of the self assessment provides a number of statements which reflect the influence of the international environment on the entrepreneurial aspects of teaching, research, talent development, new opportunities and culture.

Measuring the impact of the Entrepreneurial HEInnovate

HEInnovate considers impact measurement in HEIs to be underdeveloped. It argues that majority of the measurements found in the literature relate to spin-offs, IP and research outcomes rather than graduate entrepreneurship, retaining talent, local economic development or the impacts of the broader entrepreneurial strategy. Drawing on this account, the section identifies the areas where a Higher Education Institution might want to measure rather than what to measure.

Reception

HEInnovate has been put into practical use and received favourable feedback from a number of higher education institutions in 28 EU Member States such as Plymouth University, University of Stavanger, Swansea University, and University of Cyprus.

See also

• Education in the European Union
• European Higher Education Area
• Innovation

External links

• HEInnovate

References

This article "HEInnovate" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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