I recently had the honour of visiting Toronto for an insightful series of events exploring how universities in Canada – and around the world – are collaborating with partners to support entrepreneurship grounded in local needs.
The events – led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and hosted by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto – showed me that Canada is a powerhouse of innovation for local benefit. Many of its research labs, global tech giants and community organisations are coming together to solve big challenges in health, climate change and technology. Canada understands that universities can play a transformative role in local communities.
I was invited to the events to share my insights of a recent OECD review of the UK’s civic university mission, and to learn more about how universities in other countries are collaborating with their local ecosystems for societal benefit.
It gave me valuable perspectives on the evolving role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in nurturing ecosystems where innovation and business growth can flourish for the benefit of the places they call home.
Fostering homegrown innovation for place-based benefit
A prevalent theme throughout the events was the vital capacity of universities to foster “homegrown” entrepreneurial ecosystems attuned to regional economic landscapes. Rather than simply prioritising global research excellence and league tables, many universities in Canada and around the world are increasingly focusing on innovation activities addressing local skills gaps, developing talent pipelines and solving pressing issues facing local communities.
Universities are powerhouses of local and regional economies, and have impact far beyond the traditional roles of knowledge creation and education. They catalyse local and regional economic development, foster talent, and provide technical support to local industries.
Their impact is not just about producing the knowledge to train the next generation, but also about ensuring that knowledge is grounded in local needs, and attracts the right talent to support local economies. They can offer technical support to local industries, and help accelerate the growth of local small businesses and social enterprises. They increasingly collaborate with community organisations, national and local government, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major corporations, and economic development organisations to support a wide variety of local developments and initiatives. This multifaceted contribution is often overlooked, but it is a vital part of the economic dynamism of regions.
“Universities are powerhouses of local and regional economies, and have impact far beyond the traditional roles of knowledge creation and education”
Furthermore, universities provide leadership and motivation to help different groups learn from each other and work together. They are often at the heart of regional networks and can build and strengthen partnerships on behalf of communities and places. This ‘wrangler’ role of universities – to convene diverse regional stakeholders – is essential.
Universities have the opportunity to foster entrepreneurship to address specific needs and opportunities in their communities. They are uniquely placed to connect research, development and innovation to local needs and community priorities.
AI and Machine Learning – understanding the impacts
An interesting thread of discussion was the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how this may disrupt universities’ ecosystem-building activities.
From machine learning algorithms helping to identify emerging innovation clusters for targeted investment, to understanding how we can – in the words of Professor Joel Blit from the University of Waterloo – use this technological revolution to “reimagine” processes, structures and business models, it was clear that we need to put serious thought into maximising AI for societal good and placemaking.
Beyond the genuine concerns of plagiarism and the risk to the integrity of student assessment, the technology could dramatically change the way universities engage with their places and solve real local challenges. For example, AI is already used to conduct sentiment analysis to understand the needs and opinions of large groups of people, and it can be used to quickly gather intelligence and build place-based needs analyses. It has the potential to help civic university professionals to take their ideas from inception to implementation.
The MaRS Discovery District – Connecting Worlds
No Canadian discussion of university civic engagement is complete without recognising the pioneering model of the MaRS Discovery District. This impressive innovation hub brings together diverse actors – including entrepreneurs, start-ups, university academics and staff, industry partners, government, community members, and funders – to tackle complex societal challenges, together.
Situated over 1.5 million square feet in Downtown Toronto, MaRS supports over 1,400 Canadian science and tech companies, leading to the creation of more than 22,800 new jobs, and the generation of more than $2.4bn in capital. But, in my view, their real impact is their focus on bringing disciplines, professions and sectors together to tackle society’s greatest challenges.
MaRS was founded in 2000 by a group of civic leaders driven by a passion for the possible. They donated $14 million and rallied further support from government, corporations and the University of Toronto to create MaRS, which is now home to a curated mix of start-ups, global corporates and leading research labs.
MaRS is a blueprint for effective collaboration. Its integrative design aligns policies, resources and networks at multiple levels to drive societal impact. In this sense, MaRS offers invaluable learnings for all of us who seek to bridge policy silos and connect worlds.
Key takeaways
Canada made me feel warmly welcomed, despite its chilly temperatures! I was immediately struck by the rich tapestry of its diversity, and I met many people with genuinely collaborative spirits and a desire to enhance collective well-being.
On the flight home, I jotted down my key takeaways from my trip, which I will write more about in my upcoming blogs on the NCIA Debate Stage:
- Universities must gauge innovation success by local impact – not just by global reach.
- Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and a shared language across campuses and civic partners is crucial.
- AI offers civic opportunities but requires human insight and ongoing ethical checks.
- We could learn a lot from the approaches taken by multi-discipline platforms like MaRS Discovery District.
My journey to Toronto reinforced my belief that civic universities are playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and economic growth. Their commitment to place-based innovation and convening a diverse set of professions and disciplines to solve place-based challenges can make them real catalysts for change.
As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, civic universities can be critically influential in shaping the future of innovation and prosperity.
I recently had the honour of visiting Toronto for an insightful series of events exploring how universities in Canada – and around the world – are collaborating with partners to support entrepreneurship grounded in local needs.
The events – led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and hosted by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto – showed me that Canada is a powerhouse of innovation for local benefit. Many of its research labs, global tech giants and community organisations are coming together to solve big challenges in health, climate change and technology. Canada understands that universities can play a transformative role in local communities .
I was invited to the events to share my insights of a recent OECD review of the UK’s civic university mission, and to learn more about how universities in other countries are collaborating with their local ecosystems for societal benefit.
It gave me valuable perspectives on the evolving role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in nurturing ecosystems where innovation and business growth can flourish for the benefit of the places they call home.
Fostering homegrown innovation for place-based benefit
A prevalent theme throughout the events was the vital capacity of universities to foster “homegrown” entrepreneurial ecosystems attuned to regional economic landscapes. Rather than simply prioritising global research excellence and league tables, many universities in Canada and around the world are increasingly focusing on innovation activities addressing local skills gaps, developing talent pipelines and solving pressing issues facing local communities.
Universities are powerhouses of local and regional economies, and have impact far beyond the traditional roles of knowledge creation and education. They catalyse local and regional economic development, foster talent, and provide technical support to local industries.
Their impact is not just about producing the knowledge to train the next generation, but also about ensuring that knowledge is grounded in local needs, and attracts the right talent to support local economies. They can offer technical support to local industries, and help accelerate the growth of local small businesses and social enterprises. They increasingly collaborate with community organisations, national and local government, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major corporations, and economic development organisations to support a wide variety of local developments and initiatives. This multifaceted contribution is often overlooked, but it is a vital part of the economic dynamism of regions.
“Universities are powerhouses of local and regional economies, and have impact far beyond the traditional roles of knowledge creation and education”
Furthermore, universities provide leadership and motivation to help different groups learn from each other and work together. They are often at the heart of regional networks and can build and strengthen partnerships on behalf of communities and places. This ‘wrangler’ role of universities – to convene diverse regional stakeholders – is essential.
Universities have the opportunity to foster entrepreneurship to address specific needs and opportunities in their communities. They are uniquely placed to connect research, development and innovation to local needs and community priorities.
AI and Machine Learning – understanding the impacts
An interesting thread of discussion was the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how this may disrupt universities’ ecosystem-building activities.
From machine learning algorithms helping to identify emerging innovation clusters for targeted investment, to understanding how we can – in the words of Professor Joel Blit from the University of Waterloo – use this technological revolution to “reimagine” processes, structures and business models, it was clear that we need to put serious thought into maximising AI for societal good and placemaking.
Beyond the genuine concerns of plagiarism and the risk to the integrity of student assessment, the technology could dramatically change the way universities engage with their places and solve real local challenges. For example, AI is already used to conduct sentiment analysis to understand the needs and opinions of large groups of people, and it can be used to quickly gather intelligence and build place-based needs analyses. It has the potential to help civic university professionals to take their ideas from inception to implementation.
The MaRS Discovery District – Connecting Worlds
No Canadian discussion of university civic engagement is complete without recognising the pioneering model of the MaRS Discovery District. This impressive innovation hub brings together diverse actors – including entrepreneurs, start-ups, university academics and staff, industry partners, government, community members, and funders – to tackle complex societal challenges, together.
Situated over 1.5 million square feet in Downtown Toronto, MaRS supports over 1,400 Canadian science and tech companies, leading to the creation of more than 22,800 new jobs, and the generation of more than $2.4bn in capital. But, in my view, their real impact is their focus on bringing disciplines, professions and sectors together to tackle society’s greatest challenges.
MaRS was founded in 2000 by a group of civic leaders driven by a passion for the possible. They donated $14 million and rallied further support from government, corporations and the University of Toronto to create MaRS, which is now home to a curated mix of start-ups, global corporates and leading research labs.
MaRS is a blueprint for effective collaboration. Its integrative design aligns policies, resources and networks at multiple levels to drive societal impact. In this sense, MaRS offers invaluable learnings for all of us who seek to bridge policy silos and connect worlds.
Key takeaways
Canada made me feel warmly welcomed, despite its chilly temperatures! I was immediately struck by the rich tapestry of its diversity, and I met many people with genuinely collaborative spirits and a desire to enhance collective well-being.
On the flight home, I jotted down my key takeaways from my trip, which I will write more about in my upcoming blogs on the NCIA Debate Stage:
- Universities must gauge innovation success by local impact – not just by global reach.
- Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and a shared language across campuses and civic partners is crucial.
- AI offers civic opportunities but requires human insight and ongoing ethical checks.
- We could learn a lot from the approaches taken by multi-discipline platforms like MaRS Discovery District.
My journey to Toronto reinforced my belief that civic universities are playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and economic growth. Their commitment to place-based innovation and convening a diverse set of professions and disciplines to solve place-based challenges can make them real catalysts for change.
As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, civic universities can be critically influential in shaping the future of innovation and prosperity.