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| Latest news |
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UNU-MERIT and Renmin University of China become partners
Posted: 2009-07-30
Luc Soete, Pierre Mohnen and Can Huang from UNU-MERIT recently travelled to Beijing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Renmin University of China (RUC). The ultimate aim of the memorandum is the setting up of a joint UNU-institute at RUC in the coming years. The two partners will deliver their first joint product, the World Knowledge Report, early next year. This major study offers a new global perspective on knowledge and development in the world economy. Furthermore, the institutes are planning to increase PhD exchange, joint supervision, joint degrees and to set up a joint master’s programme. The UNU-MERIT delegation also visited the International College of RUC in Suzhou City to discuss possible collaboration on projects focusing on climate change and the impact of a low-carbon economy.
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New streaming video: René Kemp on eco-innovation
Posted: 2009-07-28 | Updated: 2009-07-30
Dr. René Kemp from UNU-MERIT held a presentation on eco-innovation at the Environment and Energy Innovation in Economic Dynamics-conference in Rome, which took place on 21-22 May. Eco-innovation has become a significant part of Europe’s sustainable development strategy and economic growth strategy. In this framework, Dr. Kemp’s talk focused on eco-innovation patterns and policy approaches in The Netherlands. His presentation ‘Innovation, environmental policy and lock-in effects: Perspectives on the transition towards a greener economy’ can now be viewed by clicking the link below.
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Lecture in commemoration of Charles Cooper
Posted: 2009-07-03 | Updated: 2009-07-30
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| Prof. David Kaplan speaking at UNU-MERIT |
A lively picture slideshow heralded the opening of the third annual Charles Cooper-lecture on June 24. This year’s guest speaker, Prof. David Kaplan (University of Cape Town), gave a grand overview of South-Africa’s innovation and technology performance since the country’s abolishment of the apartheid-regime in 1994. He furthermore critically analysed the current state of affairs and presented alternative solutions to boost South-Africa’s technology and innovation commitment in order to tackle societal issues. The lecture, which was attended by Charles Cooper’s wife and his two daughters, was well received by the audience that enthusiastically posed a dozen of questions and comments. A pleasant get-together with food and drinks concluded the evening.
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UNU-MERIT starts twittering this summer
Posted: 2009-07-03 | Updated: 2009-07-28
It organized protesters in the chaotic Moldovan post-election period and it functioned as the main communication tool during the recent upheaval in Iran: Twitter. UNU-MERIT has its own account now, which gives you the possibility to find fresh news and interesting web-links involving the Institute’s activities. Become a follower now and twitter back by clicking the link below.
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| Research & policy analysis |
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Project bridges European and Chinese institutes
Posted: 2009-07-03
CO-REACH, a multilateral research-effort between Europe and China, has contracted UNU-MERIT in a substantial cross-country comparison on employment and innovation between The Netherlands, Germany, France and China. Prof. Pierre Mohnen (principal European investigator) and Dr. Can Huang participate in the project on behalf of UNU-MERIT. The other partners are ZEW (Germany), LEREPS (France), CASS (China) and Renmin University of China. The participation of Renmin University is particularly welcomed by UNU-MERIT since both institutes are involved in twinning talks. This month, a UNU-MERIT delegation will travel to Beijing to initiate further conversations to shape an enduring partnership status.
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UNU-MERIT measures regional innovation and technology performance
Posted: 2009-07-03
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| Project leader Dr. René Wintjes |
UNU-MERIT manages an ETEPS (European Techno-Economic Policy Support Network) project-team that conducts a grand-scale survey to calculate the level of research, technology, innovation (RTI) and cohesion in regions of the European Union (EU). The European Commission Directorate General for Regional Policy is interested to integrate RTI prominently into its regional policy which aims at reducing the disparities between EU-regions. According to UNU-MERIT project-leader René Wintjes, this survey shall deliver information about the specific situation and future prospects of EU-regions, which will be the basis for an RTI-focused regional policy strategy and be an important input in developing the future Structural Fund Programme of the European Union. Besides René Wintjes, other UNU-MERIT project-members include Hugo Hollanders, Theo Dunnewijk, Bart Verspagen, Claire Nauwelaers and Herman Pijpers. The project runs until November 2009.
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| Training & capacity development |
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UNU-MERIT PhD class of 2009
Posted: 2009-07-28
A total of eight postgraduate researchers has been selected to start the UNU-MERIT PhD training programme in the Economics and Policy Studies of Technical Change. They are: Alejandro Lavopa (Argentina), Jocelyn Olivari Narea (Chili), Daniel Opolot (Uganda), Tatevik Poghosyan (Armenia) and Sayan Samatha (India). Three PhD-researchers that are linked to the Maastricht University faculty of Economics and Business Administration will join the 2009 class as well. They are: Samyukta Bhupatiraju (India), Francois Lafond (France) and Giorgio Triulzi (Italy).
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CRES and UNU-MERIT organize workshop
Posted: 2009-07-03 | Updated: 2009-07-28
From 3 until 6 of August, twinning partners CRES (Consortium pour la Recherche Economique et Sociale) and UNU-MERIT are co-organizing a research level workshop-training on evaluation methods for development programmes in Dakar, Senegal. The training will be attended by invitation only and will run under the MIMAP - Economic Policies for All-programme, which is run by the CRES administration. The largest share of participants will be Senegalese researchers coming from CRES, the ministry of Agriculture and the department of Statistics. Next to UNU-MERIT research-fellow and co-organizer Dr. Théophile Azomahou, other workshop speakers will include Prof. Norbert Janz, Prof. Pierre Mohnen (both UNU-MERIT) and Dr. Wladimir Raymond (Maastricht University).
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Exchange on health care innovation
Posted: 2009-07-03
On June 15, UNU-MERIT hosted a study group of the UK Work Organisation Network (UKWON). UKWON is a UK-based foundation that aims to stimulate innovation in systems of work and organization. The group is composed of managers, union representatives and researchers involved in health care innovation. They are coming from five different North-West European countries. The study group has exchanged practical experiences with health care innovation in Europe. Prof. Peter Totterdill is the chairman of the group. Inputs from Maastricht University have been given by Prof. Frits van Merode (Medical Faculty), Prof. Maarten Verkerk (Cultural Studies) en Prof. Friso den Hertog (UNU-MERIT).
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| Events & networking |
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UNU-MERIT participates in UNU-panel debate
Posted: 2009-07-03
On June 16, Dr. Sulayman K. Sowe from UNU-MERIT joined a panel of experts to discuss ‘The African Economic Outlook 2009’ (AEO). The AEO is an annual report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Centre, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The outlook provides comprehensive and comparable data and analysis of 47 African economies. The 2009 focus is on 'Innovation in Information Technologies and Communications' (ICTs). The panel-discussion, conducted via video-conference, was hosted by United Nations University (UNU-ONY and UNU-MERIT), in collaboration with UN-DESA Division for Sustainable Development and the UN Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA). Other panel members were delegates from the OECD, the AfDB and the United Nations Development Programme. Special emphasis was put on governance trends, a comparison of oil-importing and oil-exporting economies and the use of information and communication technologies to drive economic growth in Africa.
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