The University Industry Innovation Network’s (UIIN) purpose is to create positive social, economic, and ecological change through the transformation of the higher education sector, supporting universities to become more disruptive, impactful, and engaged with their communities. By fostering effective collaboration between universities and industry, UIIN helps institutions enhance education, research, and societal engagement.
Operating from the Science Park in Amsterdam, UIIN has built a global network of over 120 ambitious organisations committed to continuous learning and best-practice sharing. Its internationally diverse team works to empower individuals and institutions through research, training, consulting services, and events, all designed to build capacity and enable knowledge exchange worldwide.
UIIN is a proud partner in the NatAlli project, which focuses on supporting Ukrainian migrant women by empowering them through entrepreneurship. The project aligns with UIIN’s mission to make higher education more inclusive, ensuring greater opportunities and outcomes for all. The project also complements UIIN’s work contributing to advancing gender equity in higher education. It has coordinated equity-focused Erasmus+ projects such as ULEAD4ALL as well as participated in the WeRin, an initiative aimed at making entrepreneurship education and support programmes more inclusive for women.
UIIN plays a crucial role in upskilling leaders, academics, and professional staff to navigate the intersection of higher education and industry. Through training programmes, it equips participants with the skills needed to drive university-business cooperation (UBC). Its consultancy services help universities and businesses accelerate partnerships, fostering more entrepreneurial, engaged, and innovative institutions.
A highlight in the UIIN calendar is its flagship annual conference, the largest gathering on university-business collaboration in Europe. This event attracts representatives from over 60 countries, providing a unique platform for academics, practitioners, and policymakers to connect and share insights. For over 13 years, this conference has been a pivotal meeting point for discussing the evolving role of universities in innovation ecosystems.
Beyond its role as a service and knowledge provider, UIIN conducts extensive research for public and private institutions across Europe and beyond. It has contributed to over a dozen large-scale projects for the European Commission, EIT, GIZ, and various national and regional governments, spanning more than ten countries, including Australia. Its dedicated team of 17 experts has led research and implementation initiatives in entrepreneurial universities, regional development, and university-industry engagement.
One of UIIN’s most notable achievements is conducting the largest European study on UBC. With over 12 years of experience researching engaged universities through large-scale EU projects and independent research initiatives like the Future of Universities Thoughtbook series, UIIN has established its own methodology for institutional transformation. Its framework for the Entrepreneurial and Innovative University© is a testament to this accumulated expertise.
Through its research, training, and consultancy, UIIN continues to shape the future of university-industry collaboration, ensuring that higher education institutions remain at the forefront of innovation and societal impact.
