Representatives of the Combined Universities in Cornwall and the University of the Highlands and Islands recently visited Brussels to host an event at the EU Open Days. Entitled “Universities and Smart Specialisation: Driving Growth in Lagging Regions”, the CUC Brussels Reception on 11 October was attended by around 50 guests including MEPS, European Commission officials, education and regional stakeholders and presented the Cornish and Scottish experience of using Higher Education to drive the knowledge economy. Oversubscribed and full to capacity, the evening reception included a contribution from former EU Commissioner Danuta Hubner MEP and a lively debate about how universities can contribute to regional growth and what other European regions can learn from Cornwall and Scotland’s experience. Representatives from the University of Exeter, Plymouth University, the European Centre for the Environment and Human Health and the CUC Partnership Office were joined by colleagues from the University of the Highlands and Islands in their visit to the Brussels Open Days to host the CUC Reception and while in Brussels took the opportunity to hold meetings to discuss and better understand how Cornwall’s Higher Education institutions can make a contribution to future EU policy and programmes.
Picture: Chris Pomfret (Chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP), Dr Sue Brownlow (Director of CUC) and reception speakers Marion Dewar (Cabinet Member of EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation) and Mikel Landabaso (Head of Unit for Thematic coordination and innovation, DG Regional Policy)
