The project aims to improve the exploitation of a new knowledge integration in the interdisciplinary area of Engineering, Design and Business at higher education institutes from an industrial perspective - improving innovation as well as academy‑industry relations.

Rationale

Global competition leads to a considerable shift in the distribution of the world economic power and the need for innovation as a vital driver for sustainable growth is now evident.

In recent years companies realise that the interconnection between the pioneering creativity of designers and engineers complemented by innovative business models has the capacity to set their next competitive advantage.

The strong research-led culture of the academic environment must be attentive to the needs of industry and markets and must promote new knowledge synergies.

In this context, the IDEA project (InterDisciplinary Education Agenda, an essential driver for innovation) finds its roots.

Wider Objectives

• To effectively bridge the gaps within the knowledge triangle and support current efforts of industry to cope with global economic challenges
• To strengthen academy-industry collaboration in the domain of innovation and to emphasise the role of HEIs in the knowledge triangle
• To stimulate innovative integration and knowledge synergies of engineering, design and business disciplines within a wide range of projects and industries.
• To improve student employability and strengthen the capacity of HEIs in meeting labour market demands for innovation

Specific Objectives

• To Modernise the multi-disciplinary Innovation Culture in Israeli HEIs through new synergies among the disciplines of engineering, design and business involving industry
• To establish a common framework for educators and students from different disciplines that will equip them with the methods, skills and attributes needed to work in interdisciplinary environments.
• To establish institutional operational mechanism to enhance the knowledge triangle performance and academy/industry collaboration.

The 12 project members represents excellence and reputation in the different knowledge areas required for the IDEA project.

P1 SHENKAR (Shenkar College of Engineering & Design) Israel
P2 HIT (Holon Institute of Technology) Israel
P3 TAU (Tel Aviv University) Israel
P4 SAP (Sapir Academic College) Israel
P5 NBS D (The NB School of Design) Israel
P6 MAI (Manufacturers Association of Israel) Israel
P7 UoB (University of Brighton) UK
P8 POL IMI (Politechnico Di Milano) Italy
P9 UPV (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia) Spain
P10 MDH (Mälardalen University) Sweden
P11 FH Koln (Cologne University of Applied Sciences) Germany
P12 MCI (Material ConneXion) Italy

TEMPUS Trans European Mobility Programme for University Students

EU Tempus Programme supports the modernisation of higher education and creates an area of co-operation in countries surrounding the EU. Established in 1990, the scheme now covers 27 countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

Partnerships are made up of a consortia of organisations including higher education institutions, businesses, ministries, NGOs, and other organisations working in higher education, in both EU and partner countries.

IDEA Will Cover 4 Main Activities

• Discovery — identifying the needs of Israeli industry and the gaps between industry and the education system.
• Theoretical Basis — introducing best practices from EU HEIs, expanding the perspective of Israeli academia on advanced research culture and innovation.
• Pedagogical Program — creating support for interdisciplinary innovation culture in the Israeli HEIs.
• Implementation of Innovation Hubs — creating a sustainable knowledge transfer between industry and academy enhancing research and innovation.

TEMPUSE IDEA Coordinator, Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, Israel,www.shenkar.ac.il

Shenkar College of Engineering and Design serves Israeli industry in academic excellence and R&D services. Shenkar’s uniqueness as an academic institution lies in the close ties between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Design. While both faculties maintain their own special character, they operate joint projects to expose students to various disciplines. Among the graduates of the Faculty of Design are designers many of whom have earned an international reputation.

The Innovation and Industry Development Centre, Shenkar

Established in 2011, the Center aims to promote the participation of the outstanding creative resources at Shenkar in the business and entrepreneurship world. The Center gathers the best talents from the fields of Design Engineering and Art for an advanced interdisciplinary projects with an innovative-business potential. The center hosts the international ‘Creative Business Cup’ competition in Israel and is a key member in the Design Forum in Israel involving leaders from both private and public sector.

Prof Anne Boddington  |  Ema Findley  |  Tom Ainsworth