The EIT opened in 2008 – an experiment in helping Europe bridge the gaps among the worlds of research, industry and education. With an initial pilot-phase budget of €309 million, a Governing Board was formed, a headquarters established in Budapest, and the first three big projects begun: Knowledge and Innovation Communities – joining companies, academic researchers and educators – to develop and bring to market new innovations in alternative energy, climate change and ICT. And it began promoting training and support for entrepreneurship in European academia.

Will it get a big budget? Create more KICs? Will EIT expand its role in entrepreneurship, education and other fields? This event will address these questions with some of the key players – at the EIT, the Commission and the Parliament.

PRELIMINARY AGENDA

14:00. Welcome, Richard L. Hudson and Maria da Graca Carvalho

14:10. Summary: What is proposed for the future of the EIT? What is the consultation period yielding? What are the political realities?

Alexander von Gabain, Chairman-Elect, EIT

Xavier Prats Monne, Deputy Director General, DG Education and Culture

Jiri Burianek, Director for Competitiveness, Industry, Research and Information Society, Council of the European Union

Q&A moderated by Richard L. Hudson

15:00. Reactions and views

All participants may join in this session, which will be structured into three themes:

•             On progress and problems to date
•             On future KICs, and strategy
•             On the budget

Among those participating are:

John Vassallo, Vice President, EU Affairs, Microsoft

Elmar Dorner, Director, SAP Research Karlsruhe

Karin Markides, President & CEO, Chalmers University of Technology

Andrew Sors, Rector, Collegium Budapest

Lucia Recalde Langarica, Head of Unit, DG Education and Culture

Ronald de Bruin, Acting Director, EIT

16:40. Concluding remarks – Maria da Graca Carvalho, Alexander von Gabain, Xavier Prats Monne

17:00. Reception