RADICAL UNIVERSITY ARRANGEMENTS TO CREATE ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

In this paper we present non-traditional, radical university arrangements that we implemented in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at FAU in order to create an Entrepreneurial University. In order to produce successful engineers our thesis is that they should be involved in the applied industry projects. In the present state of the economy, research funding has been drastically reduced – these are chances for universities. However, universities can only effectively become incubators of entrepreneurship and innovation if they themselves practice entrepreneurship. This “reconceptualization” involves non-traditional, often radical university arrangements. The backbone of our new concept is the NSF-sponsored Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement with 36 industry members, a more than 40 applied research projects. The university has created Research Park at university premises with more than 30 high-tech companies and an incubator with 27 start-up companies. As part of our strategy, based on our research, we launched two start-up companies that are led by our faculty and students. We also created joined industry/university laboratories, in which our faculty and students work jointly with industry scientists and engineers in creating innovative systems and products.