COLUMN: New Agreement on Knowledge-Based Innovation is a Major Recognition of the Universities
A political agreement that makes knowledge-based innovation and entrepreneurship a core task for universities reflects the fact that politicians see the outstanding research and excellent education provided by universities as part of the solution to the major challenges facing Denmark and Europe, writes Lone Ryg Olsen, director of enterprise and innovation.
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A few weeks ago, Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (M) presented a broad political agreement aimed at making knowledge-based innovation and entrepreneurship a core task for universities.
This means that we will have better opportunities to invite companies to visit the campus. This means that we can offer both researchers and students better conditions when they create knowledge-based solutions and want to put solutions into practice.
Pat on the back for universities
The agreement is in continuation of the recommendations from the task force set up by the government in 2025, with participation from the universities, in which I participated as a representative of Aarhus University. And the agreement is a big pat on the back for us. Politicians see our outstanding research and excellent education as part of the solution to the major challenges facing Denmark and Europe. At the same time, there is a willingness to provide us with better frameworks for working with innovation.
DKK 1.8 billion in non-targeted funding for innovation at universities over the next four years isn't insignificant. On top of that, there will be an additional DKK 2 billion in non-targeted basic funding for research. It’s therefore clear that the new core task stands on the shoulders of the research – a recognition of the dedicated efforts made in all academic environments.
We’re underway
Universities are already working on elements of the new task. For example, standard contracts have been introduced to make it easier for researchers to try out entrepreneurship.
If we focus on Aarhus University, innovation and entrepreneurship is one of six strategic areas in the 2030 strategy. And we’re not working alone here. Our friends at Aarhus University Research Foundation and Incuba contribute significantly. Together we can lift more. For example, with more funding for entrepreneurs through the Delphinus venture fund and better facilities in the University City.
At the turn of the year, Kitchen moved into new premises, we welcomed the first companies to Partnerhuset, and soon we’ll be opening the Makerspace workshop on the ground floor of Partnerhuset.
Concern is natural
In other words, things are moving fast.
Therefore, it’s natural that concerns may arise. Are traditional university assignments being forgotten?
So just to emphasise two points: Innovation doesn’t come as a new core task instead of research or education; it comes as a consequence of the high quality of our research and education.
Furthermore, innovation has always been there. Like all other Danish universities, Aarhus University has naturally collaborated with established companies and public institutions on new solutions – and in recent years, entrepreneurship has also been on the rise.
What’s new is that more people are now getting the opportunity, the framework and the recognition.
This text is machine translated and post-edited by Lisa Enevoldsen.