ESTA report on academic and industrial research cooperation The European Science and Technology Assembly (ESTA), which advises the Commission on activities in the science and research field, has recently published a report on "Academic and industrial research cooperation in Europe". ESTA recognizes the economic importance of scientifi... The European Science and Technology Assembly (ESTA), which advises the Commission on activities in the science and research field, has recently published a report on "Academic and industrial research cooperation in Europe". ESTA recognizes the economic importance of scientific research, and the necessity to establish a new framework for cooperation between academic and industrial research. The report sets out to make a number of recommendations for universities, industry, national and regional authorities, and the European Union. Increased cooperation would benefit all parties, including SMEs and non-academic research institutes. The report recommends that opportunities to increase and support contact between universities and industry should be developed at all levels. ESTA calls on universities to develop a more entrepreneurial culture, while maintaining their educational focus. Industry, on the other hand, is called on to develop a flexible approach in order to access high quality university research. Industry should target, in particular, leading edge research. Supporting these objectives by increasing contacts between academia and industry will allow better understanding of each others' needs and priorities. In addition, ESTA notes the important role to be played by national and regional authorities in supporting and encouraging increased collaboration between industry and universities. Likewise at EU level, support and promotion will improve Europe's competitiveness, and help European researchers reach the highest international standards. In particular, the encouragement of mobility and dissemination of best practices at EU level will be of great importance in improving competitiveness.
