Aston University welcomed global and national leaders to a key event to explore the role of universities in driving socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth within their cities and regions on Friday 8 November 2024.
Leadership Dialogue on Universities 4.0 and Their Role in Driving Place-based Innovation and Socio-economic Transformation, co-hosted by the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils (GFCC), together with member organisations Aston University and HEDx and in collaboration with the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), brought together nearly 100 global and national leaders from higher education, government and industry to Aston University, including around vice-chancellors, government officials, several CEOs and other senior executives and leaders.
The one-day conference focused on three key themes:
The first session on ‘place-based Innovation for inclusive growth’ explored how universities act as engines of local economies by fostering research and innovation that supports start-ups, scales enterprises and transforms knowledge into practical solutions.
The second theme, ‘digital knowledge and enterprises for a changing world with AI’, looked at the role universities play in equipping students and professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven economy and – by fostering digital inclusion and creating a pipeline of talent for high-tech industries – how universities are ensuring that regions have the skilled workforce needed to adapt to the rapid advancement of technology.
The third and final theme, ‘bridging gaps: universities, industry and community partnerships for impact’, examined how universities work with local stakeholders to attract investment, bridge skills gaps, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable, inclusive growth.
The day began with a welcome speech by Aston University’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive and chair of the GFCC’s University Research and Leadership Forum (URLF), Professor Aleks Subic, after which Deborah Wince-Smith, President of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils, gave an introduction and outlined GFCC’s vision for URLF.
During the forum, Professor Subic signed a strategic agreement to establish a Global Centre for Innovation Leadership (GCIF) with vice-chancellors from other founding partner universities Auckland University of Technology, University of California San Diego, University Teknologi Petronas and Queen’s University Belfast.
This Centre, created under the auspices of the GFCC and URLF, will focus on place-based innovation, technology-driven socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth through close academic collaboration in education and research with global reach and impact.
Professor Aleks Subic said:
“In a rapidly changing world driven by digital transformation, hyper-connectivity and powerful technologies like artificial intelligence, universities are uniquely positioned to act as champions of digital inclusion and catalysts for socio-economic transformation, creating thriving, place-based innovation ecosystems that drive inclusive growth and sustainability in their cities and regions.
“Aston University is proud to be a driving force in Birmingham’s own innovation ecosystem – Birmingham Innovation Quarter and WM Investment Zone, serving as a catalyst for the region’s growth and innovation by partnering with businesses, government, and community.
“The participation in this forum by so many global senior leaders underscores the importance of the URLF in enabling the sharing of ideas and shaping the future of global competitiveness and innovation.”
Speaking of the establishment of the GCIF, he added:
“This is a major global collaborative development and a critical milestone in Aston University’s journey as an emerging leader in place-based innovation, aligning with our 2030 strategy and the Birmingham Innovation Quarter development.
“It positions us as a key player in global innovation leadership and expands our international partnerships, reinforcing our commitment to socio-economic transformation and global impact.”
Deborah Wince-Smith said:
"Leaders worldwide have turned to the West Midlands to learn from Aston University's work to accelerate the transformation of the region.
"Building upon Birmingham's legacy as a founder of the industrial revolution, the University has been instrumental in facilitating place-making innovation, connecting various stakeholders and facilitating job creation and local development.
Our community is eager to learn about their model and its potential to be replicated elsewhere."