Collaboration in learning and innovation

At the Centre of Expertise Entrepreneurship, education, research, and professional practice work closely together. This takes place through innovation hubs and learning communities, where students, researchers, and companies collaborate on current themes.

Digital Society Hub (DSH)

A good example of an innovation hub is the Digital Society Hub (DSH), linked to the Digital Transformation professorship. Here, we collaborate with organizations such as the police, DUO, Atos/Eviden, and RDW. IT companies are ‘embedded’ within the DSH and work together with students and lecturers on projects, for example within a minor, specialization, or graduation internship.

Innovation hub Municipality of Westerkwartier

The innovation hub Municipality of Westerkwartier connects students and the municipality in addressing current societal challenges. Students carry out assignments that are directly linked to policy and projects, such as research on food security, youth participation and the use of artificial intelligence. The results are immediately applicable and contribute to more informed and effective decision-making within the municipality.

A good example is the BUFFER+ project, in which students developed and tested a game on climate adaptation and peatland for the municipality and the province. In this way, learning, experimentation and policymaking come together.

Innovation Center Connected Solutions (ICCS)

Another example of collaboration between research, education, business and government is the Innovation Center Connected Solutions (ICCS). ICCS accelerates the development of innovative and applicable solutions using the latest communication technologies, such as 5G, 6G, IoT, and AI. As a testing ground for applied research, ICCS brings together companies, governments, knowledge institutions, and students to connect technological innovation with societal challenges. In doing so, ICCS contributes directly to a sustainable and economically strong future for the Northern Netherlands.

At ICCS, you can make use of the ICCS Connectivity Lab in Groningen at the Zernike Campus, where testing with the latest communication technologies is possible. In addition to experts, ICCS can also involve students (from vocational, applied sciences, and research universities).

Knowledge and practical solutions

Innovation hubs and projects like those described above form a growing regional network where education, businesses, governments, and other partners collaborate. They create cross-fertilization between education, research, and practice, leading to various types of knowledge and practical solutions that can be applied directly.