Hanze University Groningen has several centres of applied research and innovation. In each centre, various professors and schools work together on the same multidisciplinary applied research. This means that one learns to look beyond the boundaries of the subject area and work together on challenging projects in the field. As a knowledge broker, the centres are of great value to the innovation capability of the industry in the North of the Netherlands and outside. For this reason, they play an important role in the connection between education and the field. The centres of applied research and innovation are also closely involved in the development of various education programmes of Hanze University Groningen.
Energy
The Centre of Applied Research and Innovation – Energy, is a translator of knowledge regarding energy. The centre offers education and programmes and enables businesses to perform energy projects onsite. The centre fills the gap between application-oriented knowledge in the area of energy from different approaches, for example, from the approach of technology, economics, sociology, environmentology and business management. Additionally, the centre would like to contribute to the innovation capacity of the industry in the North of the Netherlands and stimulate smart and sustainable energy consumption. Thanks to the extensive network of the centre, it has been well introduced in the energy sector and in research institutions. This access to sources of knowledge is used by the centre to initiate education programmes and courses in the area of energy, infrastructure and management. Furthermore, the centre conducts research and projects for large (international) businesses, as well as the SME industry.
Labour Market
The Centre for Applied Labour Market Research and Innovation would like to contribute to the solution to the growing discrepancy between supply and demand in the labour market in the North of the Netherlands, by assisting efforts to increase labour participation and/or increasing labour productivity. Based on this mission, the centre would like to assist businesses in the North of the Netherlands, citizens, social partners and government to find a new balance between flexibility and security on the labour market in this region within and between organisations, where the competitiveness of organisations is increased, while (job) security of citizens is also increased.
Entrepreneurship
The Centre of Applied Research and Innovation – Entrepreneurship, would like to see more students of Hanze University Groningen become entrepreneurs and businesses become better enterprises.
Sharing of knowledge and insights with these groups stimulates the centre. Entrepreneurship will become part of the education. Furthermore, the centre helps students to set-up an enterprise. It offers guidance and practical facilities under the name Startbaan (‘Start job’).
Sustainable Regional Development
Sustainable regional development is a new approach to design our living environment. Central to this is the connection between current social issues and the resulting spatial choices. The Centre of Applied Research and Innovation – Sustainable Regional Development, develops and shares knowledge regarding area development in the North of the Netherlands. It uses applied research on the basis of questions from the field. For example, integrated solutions for recreation, water storage and nature development, or sustainable, energy efficient renovation in village centres. New living concepts that fit the demands and needs of tomorrow.
CaRES, Care Rehabilitation Education & Sport
The Centre of Applied Research and Innovation – CaRES, for Care, Rehabilitation, Education and Sports, joins the forces of the Research and Innovation Groups Health Care and Nursing, Rehabilitation, Integral Youth Policy, Sports Sciences and Nursing. For the field this means development of demand-oriented multidisciplinary research and innovation projects on the interface of the professorships. To this end, there is intense cooperation with external partners in the field and lecturers and students of Hanze University Groningen.