https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepinventhei/DEEP INVENTHEI stands as a pioneering force in the realm of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) within higher education. By creating a dynamic ecosystem that bridges the gap between academic research and real-world business applications, DEEP INVENTHEI empowers students, faculty, and regional industries to collaborate and innovate. Our institution is at the forefront of fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, offering hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and resources that transform ideas into impactful ventures. What sets DEEP INVENTHEI apart is its commitment to integrating multidisciplinary approaches and cultivating vibrant innovation districts, where future leaders are not just educated but actively shaped through practical, immersive experiences. This initiative is reshaping the landscape of higher education, driving economic growth, and inspiring a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe.
Finalist
Emerging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
DEEP INVENTHEI
Finalist of the Emerging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
Universidade do Porto - Portugal
"Cultivating tomorrow’s innovators!"
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Summary
Key People
Gil Gonçalves
Assistant Professor
Computer Engineering Department,
Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto
Joana Miranda Pinto
Assistant Researcher & Project Manager
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto
Acknowledgements
We extend our deepest gratitude to all the partners who contributed to the success of the DEEP INVENTHEI project. Your collaboration, dedication, and shared vision have been instrumental in advancing our mission to transform higher education through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Special Acknowledgements:
University of Porto (Lead Partner), namely UPIN, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Engineering, and the Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto: For your leadership and unwavering support in steering the project towards its goals.
University of Santiago de Compostela and the University of Sheffield: For your contributions in fostering academic excellence and promoting innovation across borders.
INOVA+: For providing invaluable expertise in driving forward our innovation strategies.
University of Pardubice, Valahia University of Targoviste, and TTK University of Applied Sciences: For your commitment to building strong educational frameworks that encourage entrepreneurship.
Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University and the Institute for Digitalisation of Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine: For your resilience and dedication, especially in challenging times.
School of Engineering at Jönköping University and the Silesian University of Technology: For your contributions to advancing engineering education and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, University of Sao Paulo, and Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais: For your support in extending our reach to the Latin American academic community.
FCJ Europe Lda, Conception X, and Capital Enterprise: For your engagement with the entrepreneurial ecosystem and for providing crucial industry insights.
Together, we have laid the foundation for a sustainable and impactful innovation ecosystem. We look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future!
Finally, we sincerely thank EIT Health, EIT Manufacturing, the EIT HEI Initiative, and the European Commission for their constant support and guidance, which have been vital in driving the project's vision and impact. Your collective efforts have made DEEP INVENTHEI a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.
Images
Gil Gonçalves (Project Coordinator) and Joana Miranda Pinto (Project Manager) at the BIN@ Conference in Sheffield, 2023
Intervention on Region Innovation Valleys at the BIN@ Conference in Rio de Janeiro, 2023
Group Dynamic related to the I&E Journeys at the DEEP INVENTHEI Conference, 2024
Keynote at the DEEP INVENTHEI Final Conference, 2024
EIT HEI Initiative Sensemaking in Bologna, 2024
BIN@Tallinn Conference “Deep Tech Innovation Ecosystems: the Role of HEIs"
Poster Presentation at the EIT HEI Initiative 2024 Pilot Phase Conclusion Event in Brussels, 2024
Joint lecture at the Jönköping University on deep technology in Assistive Technologies
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Uniting Knowledge, Skills, and Opportunities – Ukrainian Voice
Zhytomyr State Technological University (ZPSU) aimed to contribute to Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) and forge partnerships within the EU, despite the challenges of ongoing war. The Project Team united 18 members to lay the groundwork for impactful contributions to the EU's innovation goals.
ZPSU initiated a comprehensive course for students, academic, and non-academic staff, marking the first step in making innovation visible within the ecosystem. The second step involved sharing best practices through webinars across Zhytomyr and Ukraine, demonstrating that innovation is a collective effort.
The third phase introduced an acceleration program, bringing together deep tech specialists, including lecturers, researchers, and students, to support startup pitching and merge industry with academia, resulting in new partnerships and the creation of an Innovation HUB.
International co-learning and co-teaching, part of the fourth step, strengthened the BIN@ partnership, expanding innovation efforts. The final step was the creation of a dual-language book to sustain innovation ecosystem development.
This transformative project enhanced student engagement, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and established new partnerships with businesses and social partners. Key lessons include the importance of teamwork, embracing new ideas and formats, and remaining open to collaboration and opportunities.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
DEEP INVENTHEI is a transformative initiative that redefines the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers key insights into building effective innovation ecosystems, developing entrepreneurial mindsets, and creating sustainable change.
Collaboration: The project's success stemmed from uniting diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, and industry professionals, fostering a culture where ideas could be freely exchanged. Leadership Advice: Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships with external organizations to fuel innovation.
Multidisciplinary Approach: By integrating various fields of study, DEEP INVENTHEI enabled comprehensive and innovative problem-solving. Leadership Advice: Break down organizational silos to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration, enriching the learning experience.
Practical Experience: Emphasizing real-world experience, DEEP INVENTHEI ensured that theoretical knowledge was complemented by practical application through internships and hands-on projects. Leadership Advice: Integrate experiential learning opportunities into your programs to prepare participants for real-world challenges.
Resilience: Despite the challenges of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the team demonstrated resilience and continued to drive the project forward. Leadership Advice: Cultivate resilience within your team by fostering a strong sense of purpose and shared goals.
Innovation for Institutional Change: DEEP INVENTHEI highlighted the importance of embedding innovation into the core of academic and administrative structures. Leadership Advice: Integrate innovation into your organization’s processes and culture, ensuring it is a core value reflected in your strategic vision.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Building on its successes, DEEP INVENTHEI is committed to furthering its impact by creating, sharing, and inviting other HEIs to sign a Manifesto for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Education in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The project will continue to drive the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship across academic disciplines, ensuring that students and staff are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving global landscape.
Key Future Plans:
Expansion of Innovation Ecosystems: establish new partnerships with universities, industry leaders, and international collaborators to create broader and more dynamic innovation ecosystems. These partnerships will focus on co-creating solutions to real-world challenges, fostering cross-border collaboration.
Scaling I&E Education: incorporating the principles of the I&E Education Manifesto. This includes embedding entrepreneurship into all levels of curricula, enhancing interdisciplinary learning, and promoting experiential opportunities that bridge academia and industry.
Manifesto Implementation: DEEP INVENTHEI will actively contribute to the implementation of the I&E Education Manifesto by leading workshops, seminars, and conferences that promote best practices in I&E education. These activities will support HEIs across Europe in adopting the manifesto’s guidelines, driving systemic change.
Long-term Impact: The project will focus on sustainable development by continuing to build capacity within HEIs, ensuring that innovation and entrepreneurship are ingrained in their institutional cultures for years to come.
These plans are geared towards creating a lasting legacy of innovation-driven education in HEIs across Europe and beyond.
