Even though Europe is the largest producer of scientific publications, when translating scientific knowledge into economic growth Europe lags behind the United States. Therefore, the classical European academic culture needs to be overhauled. This is what Rector Magnificus Frans van Vught argued in his annual speech to mark the opening of the academic year last week.
If the European universities wish to play a significant role in the advancing knowledge society, they should strengthen their ties with business appreciably. Van Vught: æIn the US higher education is not only paid for by public money, but there are also considerable private donations. The investments in R&D in the United States are to a great degree done by business.Æ
While generating knowledge is still a goal in itself in Europe, in the United States there is, according to Van Vught, æspecific attention for an intensive relationship between American research universities and economic productivity.Æ More legal possibilities to commercialise the scientific output of American universities in 1980 caused strong growth in the number of patents and spin-off companies, as well as increased employment in the high-tech sector.
Van Vught also advocated the establishment of a European Research Council, which should designate the best European research universities and promote top quality.
