Resource:Campus Overview Template

NOTE: Always use WikiTextEditor (versus the RichTextEditor). It's A LOT easier for you and for us to edit your page.

Overview

Fellows must gauge their campus ecosystem based on five parameters as shown in the five sections below. To learn more about these five parameters visit this page: http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/The_Innovative_and_Entrepreneurial_University

Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship

Colleges and universities are investing heavily in the development of their students’ entrepreneurial skills. While many students dream of starting the next Facebook® or Twitter® (both of which were started by students), universities are more focused on the pedagogical value of entrepreneurship as a set of skills that can be applied across professional environments and activities to supplement the students’ classroom experience. Universities are investing both in formal programs as well as in extra-curricular activities to channel students’ interest in solving global problems through entrepreneurship. Examples of formal programs include degrees and certificates in entrepreneurship, while examples of extra-curricular activities include business plan contests, entrepreneurship clubs, and startup internships. Many universities are even experimenting with on-campus accelerators, entrepreneurial dorms, and student venture funds. At the very least, these activities provide critical organizational skills to students, and at the very best, may create the next great university spinoff.

The research you conducted for your Landscape Canvas corresponds to the 5 parameters. Your research will be most robust in this section (Discover, Learn and Experiment), related to "Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship."

Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship

Faculty and doctoral graduate students conduct the research powering many of the innovations that spawn high-growth startups. However, even at our nation’s most entrepreneurial universities, many faculty and graduate students do not always consider the market and societal relevance of their research. To address this issue, universities are putting in place a series of policy changes to encourage more faculty entrepreneurship, which in turn will complement the student entrepreneurship. These changes include greater recognition of faculty entrepreneurs, integrating entrepreneurship into the faculty tenure and selection process, and increasing faculty connections to outside partners - through externships, engagement with business, and targeted resources for startup creation. Finally, universities are actively working with federal agencies to address some of the regulatory challenges around faculty entrepreneurship, in particular, those related to conflict of interest and national security issues.

While it doesn't seem as though it directly impacts you, the extent to which faculty are encouraged to innovate and pursue entrepreneurial pathways really does help determine the extent to which they will encourage students to explore their innovative and entrepreneurial potential. Encouragement at the faculty level is one of the things that differentiates more developed I&E ecosystems. Under the "Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship" category, please provide a succinct view of whether faculty are supported to be entrepreneurial or commercialize their research.

Actively supporting the university technology transfer function

University Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) and Technology Licensing Offices (TLO) have traditionally been the hubs within universities where innovators and outside business leaders engage to commercialize inventions. The recent burst of entrepreneurship on campuses has greatly expanded the role of the TTOs and TLOs. Instead of merely focusing on the commercialization of individual technologies, these offices now act as a central point where students, faculty, alumni, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry can connect with each other. These offices are now focused on identifying and supporting entrepreneurship on campus, helping startups find the best opportunities and building successful business models, changing the culture of their universities, and creating companies that will be based in the communities around the university. TTOs and TLOs have also expanded support beyond their traditional areas, such as energy and life sciences, into education, social innovation, and agriculture.

Your research about IP policies in "Pursue" in the Landscape Canvas will give you a view into the resources your technology transfer office provides. Include this overview in "Actively supporting the university technology transfer function". If your school doesn't have a technology transfer office, you can skip this section.

Facilitating university-industry collaboration

Businesses and industry benefit greatly from university research and innovation. Universities are constantly looking for ways to connect their research and students’ education to emerging industry interests. In recent years, universities have put greater emphasis on supporting startup companies, while continuing to engage established companies that have traditionally been their licensing partners. To facilitate greater collaboration and innovation, universities are opening up their facilities, faculty, and students to businesses (small and large) in the hopes of creating greater economic value. Universities are strategically partnering with companies, offering internships and externships, sharing facilities with startups, such as accelerators, and creating venture funds and incentive programs funded by industry, all of which drive increased innovation and product development by university students, faculty, and staff.

The "Spin Out" section of your Landscape Canvas relates to research centers, industrial parks and industry/mentor networks and will give you a sense of whether the University is "Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration."

Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts

Historically, local economic development has been an important mission of the nation’s large universities. Many of America’s leading universities, particularly land-grant universities, have always felt a strong responsibility for the betterment of their surrounding communities. These days, universities are increasingly focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship as key contributors to the growth and success of local communities. Universities are requesting the federal government to include commercialization and innovation-driven economic development in their grant programs. In addition, regional economic development planning now often starts with an assessment of a local university’s research strengths. In turn, universities are seeking partners to supplement their strengths and overcome their weaknesses through partnerships with community colleges, non-profit economic development agencies, governments, and entrepreneurship groups. Some universities, such as Tulane University, are asking their students and faculty to contribute to local community development through service and projects. Others, such as North Carolina State University, are building innovation-driven campuses that help surrounding cities and communities prosper.

The "Spin Out" section of your Landscape Canvas also reveals the extent to which the University is engaging with regional and local economic development efforts. Many campuses also have an economic development office and staff whose responsibility it is to leverage the University's research and development for positive local economic benefit.

Related Links

Hyperlink the following:

[Your campus name] Strategic Priorities

and

Hyperlink the name of every UIF who has ever gone through the program and point people to their wiki bio. List them in reverse chronological order. Use headings to separate cohorts like this "Fall 2017:'. Here's an example:

Spring 2016: Ann Delaney

When you are done, add the tag that is at the bottom of every campus overview page so that it is listed in the Universities category.