Creating excellent innovation ecosystems

The role of knowledge & technology

Prof. dr ir Arthur P.J. Mol,

Rector Magnificus Wageningen University & Research
Congratulations & appreciation
 Contents

1. The development of universities

2. Excellent innovation ecosystems: what’s inside?
3. Innovating innovation ecosystems

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 1. Development universities
Medieval or First
±1100 Generation Education
University
Humboldt or
± 1800
Second Generation +Research
University

Third Generation
± 1980 +value
University
creation

Fourth
± 2020 Generation Open, flex.
University? ecosystem
2. Excellent innovation ecosystems: what’s inside?

1. Key knowledge institution

2. Triple helix connectedness
3. Open innovation
4. Talent
5. Local and global connectedness
2a. Innovation ecosystems: university inside

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 University: three objectives

Education Research Value creation

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Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)

Industry

Wageningen Research

Wageningen University

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 Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University Wageningen Research

 Education & fundamental research  Strategic & applied research,
 2700 FTE professional training
 12,800 students; 2,000 PhDs  2550 FTE
 Turnover 2018: ± M€365  Turnover 2018: ± M€325
 2b. Triple helix connectedness

• Collaboration industry- university

• R&D companies on campus
• Investment funds connected

• Government support

• Dialogue with society

 Value creation through connectedness
Societal
 Graduates (B/MSc, PhD)
 Non-degree education
 Citizen science
 Scientific impact
 Policy impact (N)GO
 Societal Dialogue
 Popular outreach (schools,
media)
Economic
 Start-ups
 Co-creation/innovation
 Spin-off (IP deal)
 Tech-transfer
 Contract research
 Education for professionals
 Shared research facilities
 Campus development
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Wageningen Campus: ±200 companies
Food startups AgTech startups Crossover startups

Check: https://start-life.nl/startups/
 An instrument: Shared Research Facilities

 Research facilities on campus

 Accessible for researchers from all organisations
 Use latest advanced technologies
 Meeting place for university and company staff
 Only pay for time you use the facility
 240 devices available for industry
 2c. Towards open innovation
 Open collaboration networks: no exclusion
 Open access publications: changing balance with publishers
 Open science: open and FAIR data:

 Open education: free access and use of education materials

 Policy: “As open as possible, as close as needed”
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 2d. Talent

 War on talent
 What motivates scientists?
 Talent attracts talent
 Education is key!

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2e. Global and local connectedness

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 Local connectedness

 Local governmental support for research & innovation funding

 Local governmental support for facilities
 Local connectedness to public
 Local connectedness to SMEs en R&D companies
 Your staff and students are living here

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Global connectedness: The world in Wageningen

>100
50-100
10-50
<10

126 nationalities
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Global connectedness: Wageningen in the world

# WUR 100
programs 50
per country/ 25
territory 10
 3. Innovating innovation ecosystems

 Digitalization
 Sustainability science

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 Digitalization/data sciences

 Strong investments digital/data

● Research
● Infrastructure
● Education
 Data science & analytics connected to domain expertise
 DMPs and data steward network
 Interoperable data: connecting disciplines
 Data sciences and digital skills in education programmes
Example: Precision farming 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, ....
Example: Food safety prediction through data

Combining data sources to predict

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food fraud: accuracy is 91,5%!
Example: Digital twins

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 Sustainability sciences

 Sustainability central in (global) challenges

 SDGs common framework
 Crossing boundaries essential
 Consequences for:
● University research: subjects & organization
● University teaching: subjects & modes
● University operations: practice what you preach
● University partners
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Circular food systems

De Boer, De Olde & Van Zanten,

2018
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 Biobased products
Feed Drilling liquid

Alcohol Paint
Biogas

Cement

Detergent

Plastic
s

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Thank you for your
attention

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