The Nodes of Excellence in (SEA) Universities through Spatial Data NEXUS project is an Erasmus + CBHE (Capacity Building in High Education) proposal whose main aim is to enhance the research capacities of HEIs in the southeast Asian region, by strengthening relationships between Education, Research and Innovation in GIS, SDI and remote sensing, for applications that are related to environment, agriculture and situations of emergency. The project will develop a common nexus between various actors of research and innovation (HEIs, research centers, spin-off companies) in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia where specific methodologies for innovation transfer are convergent with EU developments in accordance with Europe 2020 strategy and Smart specialisation initiatives which is a new engine to boost R&D growth and subsequently job opportunities and business creation. This will improve the transfer of innovation from universities to local and regional enterprises, enhancing their innovation potential for geodata use and generating new applied research.
Project Objectives
- Overall Objective:
The broad goal of NEXUS is to combine industrial, educational and innovation resources in targeted countries and regions of South East Asia (Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia) to create opportunities for knowledge-based investments while increasing research capacity of HEIs through GIS and remote sensing technology.
- Specific Project Objectives:
1. Develop conceptual framework and structure for smart specialisation and innovation in GIS/remote sensing in targeted SEA (SouthEast Asia) countries
2. Support the research capacity of partner institutions in emerging topics that contribute to updating university study programmes at Ph.D.and Post Doc levels
3. Design a strategy for imparting ‘hands-on’ practical training of delivering applied research outputs and working with identified business companies
4. Create an innovation network and hub that enhances the use of GIS/remote sensing for societal uses
Activities
- WP1 (PREP): Conceptual framework on smart specialisation and innovation in RS/GIS
1.1. Mapping national legislations at SEA universities to assess RS/GIS research potential
1.2. Mapping smart specialisation strategies at EU universities
1.3. Performing comparative analysis based on collected data
1.4. Developing action plans for bridging identified gaps
- WP2 (DEV) Development and support of research capacity
2.1 Equip RS/GIS labs and centers
2.2 Organisation and delivery of training for researchers and teachers
2.3 Organisation and delivery of training for heads of RS/GIS labs and administrators
2.4 Revision and improvement of university by-laws regulating research and innovation towards smart specialisation
2.5 Organisation of business incubators with support of business community
- WP3 (QPLN): Quality control & evaluation
3.1 Internal work quality standards and procedures established; QAC created to monitor project performance
3.2 Quality reports prepared by WP coordinators and evaluated by the QAC officer
3.3 External independent monitoring evaluations (mid-term and end)
- WP4 (DISS): Dissemination and exploitation of results
4.1 Development and maintenance of project website
4.2 Organisation of promotional material, roundtables, national and international conferences
4.3 Awards for young RS/GIS researchers and young entrepreneurs
4.4 Organisation of multiplier workshops and elevator pitches
4.5 Establishment of a platform for RS/GIS practitioners to enhance social innovation products
- WP5 (MGMT): Project management and administration
5.1 Kick-off meeting and project management meetings
5.2 Elaboration and approval of steering communication, plan dissemination & exploitation plan and creation of project Steering Committee
5.3 Project financial and administrative management
5.4 Progress and final report to EACEA and financial audit