Joint Research Projects
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A.S.A.P. - Efficient Administrative Structures as a Prerequisite for Successful Economic and Social Development of Rural Areas in Demographic Transition (www.asap-bsr.eu)
Due to their generally lower economic potential, rural areas are especially dependent on effective public sector strategies in order to safeguard economic and social development. Demographic transition often creates further challenges for the regional development of rural areas. A basic prerequisite for rural development are efficient administrative structures at the regional and local level, which are capable of creating and implementing adjusted policies. It has also been acknowledged by both researchers and policy makers that knowledge is one of the key factors for regional prosperity in the 21st century. Local availability of knowledge and skills is as important as physical infrastructure. This is why the demand for the universities' "third task", meaning active interaction with regional stakeholders, has emerged.
The project lays foundations for more effective and sustainable administrative support for rural development by a) strengthening the utilisation of advanced forms of ICT b) developing strategies for meeting the challenges of the demographic change and c) linking universities to regional development processes. The aim is to create a transnational platform for exchange of experiences on administrative reform and universities' contribution to regional development with special focus on the demands of rural areas.
All together 37 partners from the seven Baltic Sea countries (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Germany, Denmark and Sweden) participate in the project including the BSRUN members: University of Turku, Saaremaa University Centre and Riga Technical University. The project is part-financed by the BSR Interreg III B Neighbourhood Programme. The implementation period is 1.1.2006 - 31.12.2007.
Contact information:
Ari Koski
University of Turku
Centre for Extension Studies
Lemminkäisenkatu 14-18 B
20520 Turku, Finland
Phone (office) +358 2 333 5872 (mobile) +358 50 329 3620
Fax +358 2 333 6220
E-mail ari.koski@utu.fiASAP Result Flyer
Results of the Work Package 4
Promoting Regional Engagement of Universities
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The University-Region Cooperation Network of Southwest Finland and Saaremaa
Background
Universities are important regional resources due to their international networks, project management experience and versatile expertise and research. Viable business, on the other hand, is an essential part in building the well-being of municipalities and regions. However, experience has shown that the cooperation between universities, entrepreneurs, municipalities and development centres is often difficult. Universities have to learn to develop their role in society.
The cooperation between Finnish and Estonian universities is a potential resource in developing the Baltic Sea region and its learning network. The Saaremaa University Centre was established in September 1997 by the University of Turku, University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tallinn University and Saaremaa County Government. It is a regional resource worth its five member universities. The full regional development potential of the Centre has not yet actualized either in Saaremaa region or in the Baltic Sea region.
Aims and operations
The general aim of the project is to reinforce the cross-border cooperation between the member universities of the Saaremaa University Centre and regional development authorities of Southwest Finland and Saaremaa. In addition, the goal is to develop and compare the operations models between universities and regional actors in order to reinforce efficiency in development work. The official project partners are University of Turku as the Coordinator and Saaremaa University Centre and the project is carried out during 1.4. - 31.12.2007.
The main goal is to elaborate the preconditions for establishing a region-university cooperation network between the universities and regional development authorities in Southwest Finland and Saaremaa. The cross-border cooperation network would create new links between universities, regional development authorities and local business. In addition the network would strengthen the learning environment in the central Baltic Sea region. To pilot international university-region cooperation, the project formulates a model for the cooperation between the member universities of the Saaremaa University Centre and Saaremaa regional development authorities. In addition, a development plan for the Saaremaa University Centre is formulated.
Financing
The overall budget for the project is c.a. 57 000 ?. Majority of the funds is received from the INTERREG IIIA Southern Finland - Estonia Programme and the project is co-financed by the Finnish Ministry of the Education and Estonian Ministry of the Interior.
Contact PersonsProject Coordinator Ari Koski
University of Turku
Centre for Extension Studies
Phone: (office) +358 2 333 5872
(mobile) +358 50 329 3620
Fax: +358 2 333 6331
E-mail: ari.koski@utu.fiDirector Olev Tóru
Saaremaa University Centre
Phone: (office) +372 45 20514
(mobile) +372 56 577802
E-mail: olev@saare.eeSurvey on the Prerequisites for Founding a University-Region Network of Southwest Finland and Saaremaa
Development Strategy for Saaremaa University Centre