natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The idea of a European Institute of Technology (EIT) stems from the 2005 mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy.
The idea of a European Institute of Technology (EIT) stems from the 2005 mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy.
The first Commission Communication of 22 February 2006 "Implementing the renewed partnership for growth and jobs.
The first Commission Communication of 22 February 2006 "Implementing the renewed partnership for growth and jobs.
Developing a knowledge flagship: The European Institute of Technology" ( COM(2006)0077 ) defined only the broad elements of the proposed EIT, some of which were further elaborated in the later Communication "The European Institute of Technology: further steps towards its creation" ( COM(2006)0276 ).
Developing a knowledge flagship: The European Institute of Technology" ( COM(2006)0077 ) defined only the broad elements of the proposed EIT, some of which were further elaborated in the later Communication "The European Institute of Technology: further steps towards its creation" ( COM(2006)0276 ).
The legislative proposal (COM(2006) 604 final/2) was published on 13 November 2006.
The legislative proposal (COM(2006) 604 final/2) was published on 13 November 2006.
The European Parliament in its Annual Policy Strategy 2007 Resolution ( A6-0154/2006 ) expressed scepticism towards the EIT, stressing the danger that the EIT will merely overlap or undermine existing structures and fearing that the EIT will prejudice the already limited resources allocated to research and innovation.
The European Parliament in its Annual Policy Strategy 2007 Resolution ( A6-0154/2006 ) expressed scepticism towards the EIT, stressing the danger that the EIT will merely overlap or undermine existing structures and fearing that the EIT will prejudice the already limited resources allocated to research and innovation.
The European Council expressed support for the EIT in its meeting of 14-15 December 2006: "The Council and the European Parliament should, after having carried out a thorough examination of the Commission's proposal, move swiftly to adopt, in 2007, a decision to set up the European Institute of Technology."
The European Council expressed support for the EIT in its meeting of 14-15 December 2006: "The Council and the European Parliament should, after having carried out a thorough examination of the Commission's proposal, move swiftly to adopt, in 2007, a decision to set up the European Institute of Technology."
Your rapporteur believes firmly in the idea of better coordination of research, innovation and education efforts in the Community, in the importance of creating public-private partnerships in R&D including in basic research, and in facilitating the access of SMEs to new knowledge.
Your rapporteur believes firmly in the idea of better coordination of research, innovation and education efforts in the Community, in the importance of creating public-private partnerships in R&D including in basic research, and in facilitating the access of SMEs to new knowledge.
However, he is also concerned with the somewhat hasty way in which an idea of such long-term consequence is being presented - doubly so when it comes at a time when several other new policy instruments addressing the same problems are in the earliest phases of their implementation.
However, he is also concerned with the somewhat hasty way in which an idea of such long-term consequence is being presented - doubly so when it comes at a time when several other new policy instruments addressing the same problems are in the earliest phases of their implementation.
At least five different Commission directorate-generals (RTD, ENTR, REGIO, EAC, INFSO) are currently managing initiatives to support research and innovation.
At least five different Commission directorate-generals (RTD, ENTR, REGIO, EAC, INFSO) are currently managing initiatives to support research and innovation.
Given the right form, the EIT may prove useful in the Community's research and innovation activities, but its whole raison-d'être depends on a number of points not yet sufficiently clarified, the most important of which are addressed below.
Given the right form, the EIT may prove useful in the Community's research and innovation activities, but its whole raison-d'être depends on a number of points not yet sufficiently clarified, the most important of which are addressed below.
Structure and accountability
Structure and accountability
The Commission has proposed two entities to form the basic structure of the EIT:
The Commission has proposed two entities to form the basic structure of the EIT:
· The Governing Board
· The Governing Board
· Comunităţile cunoaşterii şi inovării
· The Knowledge and Innovation Communities
The Commission envisages a small Governing Board appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from an Identification Committee.
The Commission envisages a small Governing Board appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from an Identification Committee.
Appointment will balance representation of academic/research and business experience.
Appointment will balance representation of academic/research and business experience.
The appointed members will have a time-limited mandate and will be replaced on a rolling basis.
The appointed members will have a time-limited mandate and will be replaced on a rolling basis.
The Governing Board will take the horizontal and strategic decisions on the EIT's activities: identifying the strategic fields and main thematic research areas, establishing "Knowledge and Innovation Communities" (KICs); selecting, monitoring and evaluating the consortia to operate these KICs; and coordinate the different KIC activities.
The Governing Board will take the horizontal and strategic decisions on the EIT's activities: identifying the strategic fields and main thematic research areas, establishing "Knowledge and Innovation Communities" (KICs); selecting, monitoring and evaluating the consortia to operate these KICs; and coordinate the different KIC activities.
The KICs are thought to be partnerships where teams from universities, research organisations and industry would work together to address a strategically important topic in an inter-disciplinary field, and they will perform all operational activities of the EIT.
The KICs are thought to be partnerships where teams from universities, research organisations and industry would work together to address a strategically important topic in an inter-disciplinary field, and they will perform all operational activities of the EIT.
The selection of proposals for KICs would be based on open and transparent competitions.
The selection of proposals for KICs would be based on open and transparent competitions.
Your rapporteur welcomes the Commission's overall view on the structure of the EIT, although he also finds it incomplete for the following reasons.
Your rapporteur welcomes the Commission's overall view on the structure of the EIT, although he also finds it incomplete for the following reasons.
One main problem lies in the selection process of the Governing Board and the accountability of the EIT.
One main problem lies in the selection process of the Governing Board and the accountability of the EIT.
Firstly, the selection procedure for the Governing Board should be more transparent, notably towards the European Parliament and the Council.
Firstly, the selection procedure for the Governing Board should be more transparent, notably towards the European Parliament and the Council.
This is not to say that the European Parliament and the Council should select the members of the identification committee or indeed the members of the Governing Board itself, but merely it must be secured that the procedure is a transparent one and one where the Commission reports appropriately to the other institutions.
This is not to say that the European Parliament and the Council should select the members of the identification committee or indeed the members of the Governing Board itself, but merely it must be secured that the procedure is a transparent one and one where the Commission reports appropriately to the other institutions.
Furthermore, the Commission's proposal only foresees consultation of the Commission in determining the strategic priorities of the EIT.
Furthermore, the Commission's proposal only foresees consultation of the Commission in determining the strategic priorities of the EIT.
Here clearly the European Parliament and the Council should be enabled to endorse these priorities prior to their final adoption.
Here clearly the European Parliament and the Council should be enabled to endorse these priorities prior to their final adoption.
The level of R&D funding in the EU lags behind our main competitors.
The level of R&D funding in the EU lags behind our main competitors.
Research & Development intensity (i.e. expenditure as a percentage of GDP) in the EU25 stood at 1.92% in 2003 while it was 2.59% in the United States and 3.15% in Japan.
Research & Development intensity (i.e. expenditure as a percentage of GDP) in the EU25 stood at 1.92% in 2003 while it was 2.59% in the United States and 3.15% in Japan.
Only two Member States, Sweden and Finland, have met the Barcelona target of spending 3% of GDP on R&D and innovation.
Only two Member States, Sweden and Finland, have met the Barcelona target of spending 3% of GDP on R&D and innovation.
It should also be recalled that the financial attribution to the 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) was reduced by 30% vis-à-vis the Commission's proposal following the agreement on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013.
It should also be recalled that the financial attribution to the 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) was reduced by 30% vis-à-vis the Commission's proposal following the agreement on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013.
The budget for the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) was similarly reduced by 24%.
The budget for the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) was similarly reduced by 24%.
Taking into account the lack of R&D funding in the EU, it should be ensured that the EIT does not drain resources from existing Community activities in the field.
Taking into account the lack of R&D funding in the EU, it should be ensured that the EIT does not drain resources from existing Community activities in the field.
The Community core funding for the EIT should be added as a topping-up to the existing Financial Perspectives and additional funding should be obtained from different sources, including community, national, regional and private sources.
The Community core funding for the EIT should be added as a topping-up to the existing Financial Perspectives and additional funding should be obtained from different sources, including community, national, regional and private sources.
In order to become a "flagship" of European innovation, the EIT must be able secure a significant amount of private funding.
In order to become a "flagship" of European innovation, the EIT must be able secure a significant amount of private funding.
The ability to raise its own funding, be it from external sources or from revenues of its own activities (including management of intellectual property rights (IPR) which the proposal foresees the EIT will accumulate over time) will be the very raison d'être of the EIT.
The ability to raise its own funding, be it from external sources or from revenues of its own activities (including management of intellectual property rights (IPR) which the proposal foresees the EIT will accumulate over time) will be the very raison d'être of the EIT.
Your rapporteur welcomes the Commission's suggestion that a large share of the EIT's income should come from its earnings through contracts for research and education.
Your rapporteur welcomes the Commission's suggestion that a large share of the EIT's income should come from its earnings through contracts for research and education.
This is an area where Europe is clearly lagging behind the US where universities and research institutions are much better in capitalising their knowledge.
This is an area where Europe is clearly lagging behind the US where universities and research institutions are much better in capitalising their knowledge.
This, however, may also have to do with other factors such as European Universities' general lack of experience and initiative in the IPR field, limitations on university staff as regards external activities, and the lack of established bonds between the public and the private sector - neither of which the EIT will bring an immediate solution to.
This, however, may also have to do with other factors such as European Universities' general lack of experience and initiative in the IPR field, limitations on university staff as regards external activities, and the lack of established bonds between the public and the private sector - neither of which the EIT will bring an immediate solution to.
Here too, it must be considered whether the JTIs under FP7 do not provide a better solution, and care must be taken to avoid overlaps between FP7 and EIT activities.
Here too, it must be considered whether the JTIs under FP7 do not provide a better solution, and care must be taken to avoid overlaps between FP7 and EIT activities.
The Knowledge Triangle
The Knowledge Triangle
The Commission has suggested that the activities of the EIT would include all three parts of the knowledge triangle: innovation, research and education.
The Commission has suggested that the activities of the EIT would include all three parts of the knowledge triangle: innovation, research and education.
While acknowledging the importance of all three elements, your rapporteur strongly believes that the main task of the EIT will be to promote innovation.
While acknowledging the importance of all three elements, your rapporteur strongly believes that the main task of the EIT will be to promote innovation.
Consequently, the research tasks of the EIT would concentrate on innovation creation rather than on basic research.
Consequently, the research tasks of the EIT would concentrate on innovation creation rather than on basic research.
It would be advisable for the EIT to reflect the research themes of the FP7, European Technology Platforms and JTIs, and overall to have a close co-operation with the European Research Council (ERC).
It would be advisable for the EIT to reflect the research themes of the FP7, European Technology Platforms and JTIs, and overall to have a close co-operation with the European Research Council (ERC).
Your rapporteur remains unconvinced that a strong education element in the EIT would bring added value to the European Research Area, especially since the responsibility for higher education rests with the Member States.
Your rapporteur remains unconvinced that a strong education element in the EIT would bring added value to the European Research Area, especially since the responsibility for higher education rests with the Member States.
In fact, it would seem that the legal basis of the proposal itself excludes the possibility for the EIT to play the role of an educational institution and actually award degrees.
In fact, it would seem that the legal basis of the proposal itself excludes the possibility for the EIT to play the role of an educational institution and actually award degrees.
Rather the EIT should develop a brand or label - an 'EIT diploma' - which will supplement and add value to the formalised academic degrees awarded by the educational institutions participating in the KICs .
Rather the EIT should develop a brand or label - an 'EIT diploma' - which will supplement and add value to the formalised academic degrees awarded by the educational institutions participating in the KICs .
Risks of overlap and justification for an EIT
Risks of overlap and justification for an EIT
The function of the EIT must be seen as complementary to the other Community initiatives on research and innovation, mainly FP7 and CIP.
The function of the EIT must be seen as complementary to the other Community initiatives on research and innovation, mainly FP7 and CIP.
The innovation part of the CIP programme logically focuses on transforming research results into commercial innovations, which benefit European business, industry and competitiveness with a special focus on SMEs.
The innovation part of the CIP programme logically focuses on transforming research results into commercial innovations, which benefit European business, industry and competitiveness with a special focus on SMEs.
In this context it is difficult to see a possible complementary role for the EIT.
In this context it is difficult to see a possible complementary role for the EIT.
Your rapporteur would support almost any Community effort which assigns additional resources to innovation, research and education, but would be surprised to see such funds committed to activities overlapping those reduced by the European Council in the agreement on the Financial Perspectives.
Your rapporteur would support almost any Community effort which assigns additional resources to innovation, research and education, but would be surprised to see such funds committed to activities overlapping those reduced by the European Council in the agreement on the Financial Perspectives.
Like the proposed EIT, FP7 also identifies research areas of strategic priority, facilitates public-private partnerships (mainly through the Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs)), and establishes a new permanent institution to oversee decisions on research funding, namely the European Research Council (ERC).
Like the proposed EIT, FP7 also identifies research areas of strategic priority, facilitates public-private partnerships (mainly through the Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs)), and establishes a new permanent institution to oversee decisions on research funding, namely the European Research Council (ERC).
As regards the bottom-up approach under the EIT whereby private companies can address the EIT with project proposals which will then be decided upon top-down by the EIT Governing Board, a similar structure already exists under FP7 in the form of Integrated Projects and JTIs, and many Member States can also testify to the existence of such cooperation at regional level.
As regards the bottom-up approach under the EIT whereby private companies can address the EIT with project proposals which will then be decided upon top-down by the EIT Governing Board, a similar structure already exists under FP7 in the form of Integrated Projects and JTIs, and many Member States can also testify to the existence of such cooperation at regional level.
While there is a real need for additional partnerships of this type at European level, it has not been adequately justified that the proposed EIT would be the best way to address this.
While there is a real need for additional partnerships of this type at European level, it has not been adequately justified that the proposed EIT would be the best way to address this.
It should also be recalled that many Member States have well functioning innovation agencies at national level, which have well established practises in bringing together industry and research institutions.
It should also be recalled that many Member States have well functioning innovation agencies at national level, which have well established practises in bringing together industry and research institutions.
An important role of an EIT would be to examine best practises from different countries and possibly at a later stage provide a permanent platform for exchange of experience for Member States' national programmes, research foundations and agencies.
An important role of an EIT would be to examine best practises from different countries and possibly at a later stage provide a permanent platform for exchange of experience for Member States' national programmes, research foundations and agencies.
A new body on Community level may add value to existing initiatives, but this can only be established once an evaluation of a pilot project has shown that the EIT concept provides added value for Europe - both in terms of innovation and competitiveness and for the European Research Area.
A new body on Community level may add value to existing initiatives, but this can only be established once an evaluation of a pilot project has shown that the EIT concept provides added value for Europe - both in terms of innovation and competitiveness and for the European Research Area.
Only after a thorough review of a "pilot" EIT, based on an independent external evaluation, can it be decided whether the EIT should be established as a permanent community body or if Europe would be better served by directing the funds to other Community innovation and R&D activities.
Only after a thorough review of a "pilot" EIT, based on an independent external evaluation, can it be decided whether the EIT should be established as a permanent community body or if Europe would be better served by directing the funds to other Community innovation and R&D activities.
AVIZ al Comisiei pentru cultură şi educaţie
OPINION of the Committee on Culture and Education (*)
Having considered the final proposal for a regulation submitted by the Commission on the establishment of the European Institute of Technology
Having considered the final proposal for a regulation submitted by the Commission on the establishment of the European Institute of Technology
Proposal of 18 October 2006 for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the European Institute of Technology, COM(2006)0604 . , your draftswoman wishes to draw attention to the following points:
Proposal of 18 October 2006 for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the European Institute of Technology, COM(2006)0604 . , your draftswoman wishes to draw attention to the following points:
- the EIT is intended to be a centre of excellence, or, alternatively, a body for coordinating centres of excellence through the activities of the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
- the EIT is intended to be a centre of excellence, or, alternatively, a body for coordinating centres of excellence through the activities of the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
By establishing the best possible conditions of work for European researchers, particularly by encouraging their mobility and facilitating the recognition of their qualifications, it may represent an effective solution to the brain drain, while also attracting the best researchers and students in the world to the EU thanks to integrated excellence-driven partnerships within the knowledge triangle.
By establishing the best possible conditions of work for European researchers, particularly by encouraging their mobility and facilitating the recognition of their qualifications, it may represent an effective solution to the brain drain, while also attracting the best researchers and students in the world to the EU thanks to integrated excellence-driven partnerships within the knowledge triangle.
- It is essential in this connection for the KICs to enjoy as much independence as possible to carry out their operational activities within the strategic framework defined by the EIT, while being answerable to the EIT (cf.
- It is essential in this connection for the KICs to enjoy as much independence as possible to carry out their operational activities within the strategic framework defined by the EIT, while being answerable to the EIT (cf.
Amendments 21 and 22).
Amendments 21 and 22).
The KICs should therefore be a source of wealth- and job-creation by engendering innovative SMEs in cutting-edge technology and promoting new forms of organisations and businesses.
The KICs should therefore be a source of wealth- and job-creation by engendering innovative SMEs in cutting-edge technology and promoting new forms of organisations and businesses.