”If you succeed the contribution to Europe will be great!”
Anders Flodström about EIT ICT Labs
Those are the words of Anders Flodström, new vice chairman of the EIT Governing Board who held the opening address. July 1-2 marks an important event European ICT research and innovation. This was the first meeting open for all partners in the EIT ICT Labs. About 100 participants representing core partners, associates and affiliates attended the meeting in Kista, Stockholm.
Anders Flodström underlined that the action within EIT will be found in the KICs - of which EIT ICT Labs is one.
“This is an exciting new European initiative building on the knowledge triangle connecting education, research and innovation. Entrepreneurship will add new input to the mix, and we will see EIT-labeled educational programs.”
He also pointed out that the EIT ICT Labs has the most thought out organizational structure of the three KICs.
“I am quite happy with the EIT ICT Labs. It can be a role model on how it should be done.”
We will be something different
Gunnar Landgren, CEO of EIT ICT Labs gave an outline of the start-up process, the progress and the legal structure.
“EIT ICT Labs has to be something “different”. It must be stakeholder-driven. And the Knowledge Triangle - education, research - innovation - is the most important part of EIT ICT Labs.”
EIT ICT Labs will have its first General Assembly September 14 and will be fully operational by October 1. It is going to be an international, non-profit organization under Belgium laws.
KTH ICT has a lot to offer EIT ICT Labs
Dean Mikael Östling has high expectations on the EIT ICT Labs and is satisfied with the first partner workshop.
“I feel that the Stockholm Node stands strong in the competition. In the educational area we have a lot to bring to the plate. We have had entrepreneurship in our educational programs, and this is a knowledge that we can convey to the European work. We also have a comprehensive view when it comes to the collaboration with industry."
