ERAWATCH country reports 2011: Switzerland

The main objective of the ERAWATCH Annual Country Reports is to characterise and assess the performance of national research systems and related policies in a structured manner that is comparable across countries. The 2011 country reports assess the evolution on the national R&D investments targets, the efficiency and effectiveness of national policies and investments into R&D, the articulation between education, research and innovation, with an increased focus on the last two in terms of their wider governance and policy mix. The reports for EU MS and AS integrates in the assessment the evolution of the national policy mixes in the perspective of the Europe 2020 Strategy goals and on the realisation and better governance of ERA.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Towards a future proof system for higher education and research in Finland

The Ministry of Education and Culture established a process to review the Finnish Higher Education System in order to analyse its strengths and weaknesses and identify proposals to improve the higher education system and strengthen Finland’s innovation system

Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)

Das Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL) ist weltweit das führende Wissens- und Dokumentationszentrum für Biolandbau. Die enge Verzahnung verschiedener Forschungsgebiete und der rasche Wissenstransfer von der Forschung zur Beratung und in die Praxis sind die Stärken des FiBL. 2001 wurde das Schwesterinstitut FiBL Deutschland gegründet; 2004 das FiBL Østerreich

Exploring Experience Curves for the Building Envelope: An Investigation for Switzerland for 1970–2020

Energy efficiency potentials slumbering in the envelopes of existing and newly constructed buildings are significant and still largely untapped. Increasing concerns of policy-makers about non-sustainable energy use and its implications especially on climate change currently spur a growing interest in research in this area. The aim of this paper is to fill part of the existing knowledge gap by focusing on experience curve aspects of energy efficiency measures that concern state-of-the-art insulation methods, materials, and windows, and by studying the usefulness of such experience curves for the building envelope for energy policy design and evaluation. The analysis draws on a recent investigation of the situation in Switzerland (Jakob et al. 2002), but also contains a wider perspective especially regarding some more global technological trends and the market diffusion of innovative energy conservation technologies for the building envelope, policy designs, and policy programmes. The results derived from historical data analysis point to significant techno-economic progress over the last 30 years, and demonstrate the basic applicability, merits and limitations of the experience curve concept for energy policy design and impact analyses concerning the building envelope. We conclude from our analysis that building standards and labels can be important drivers for technoeconomic progress, apart from the energy conservation potentials offered, and that experience curves can be a useful tool for targeted and effective policy measures and for the promotion of labels and standards.Experience curve, building envelope, energy efficiency, policy design, energy paradox

ERAWATCH Country Reports 2012: Switzerland

This analytical country report is one of a series of annual ERAWATCH reports produced for EU Member States and Countries Associated to the Seventh Framework Programme for Research of the European Union (FP7). The main objective of the ERAWATCH Annual Country Reports is to characterise and assess the performance of national research systems and related policies in a structured manner that is comparable across countries. The Country Report 2012 builds on and updates the 2011 edition. The report identifies the structural challenges of the national research and innovation system and assesses the match between the national priorities and the structural challenges, highlighting the latest developments, their dynamics and impact in the overall national context. They further analyse and assess the ability of the policy mix in place to consistently and efficiently tackle these challenges. These reports were originally produced in December 2012, focusing on policy developments over the previous twelve months. The reports were produced by independent experts under direct contract with IPTS. The analytical framework and the structure of the reports have been developed by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the Joint Research Centre (JRC-IPTS) and Directorate General for Research and Innovation with contributions from external experts.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

An empirical case of education policy implementation in Serbian VET

Purpose: Education policy implementation is as important as policy design. This study applies a literature-based, multi-dimensional framework for success factors and barriers to vocational education and training (VET) reform implementation in the case of a new dual VET law in Serbia. We use the framework to assess factors related to implementation, then relate these factors to actual implementation progress to determine how factors relate to progress. In this application of the framework, we examine whether implementation success requires high scores in every dimension. Methods: This is a mixed methods study. We conduct document analysis of key resources related to the structure and intention of the reform. We also statistically analyze a dataset of two rounds of interviews conducted during the pre- and early-implementation phases. These interviews include key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and from national, regional, and local-level actors. We examine how the framework\u27s dimensions and determinants relate to implementation progress. Results: The implementation of the law is moving forward in Serbia, making this a successful case of progress in policy implementation. Despite this progress, the factors for implementation are not all strong. We find that the content dimension of the framework is a barrier, capacity is unclear, and context, commitment, and clients—actors\u27 engagement— drive implementation progress. Thus, although the implementation process is imperfect in its determinants, it is successfully progressing and already forming the new system. Conclusions: Based on our results we argue that—even if the framework describes factors that affect VET reform implementation—not all elements are necessary for VET reform implementation to progress. Policymakers can start without perfect implementation conditions and may benefit from striving for "good enough" across dimensions rather than perfect in any one dimension. We discuss potential mechanisms and identify pathways for future research, including moving in the direction of causal research. (DIPF/Orig.

E4 Thematic Network

This Thematic Network aims at developing the European dimension of Higher Engineering Education by enhancing the compatibility of the many diverse routes to the profession of engineer, by facilitating greater mobility and integration of skilled personnel throughout Europe, by favouring a mutual exchange of skills and competences and providing a platform for communication between academics and professionals. Five main activities have been organised under the overall umbrella of the Thematic Network.The work contains 6 volumes

OpenCases: case studies on openness in education

OpenCases is a study which is part of the OpenEdu Project. It is a qualitative study consisting of a review of literature on open education and nine in-depth case studies of higher education institutions, a consortium of universities, a private organisation and a national initiative. It analysed the rationale and enabling conditions for involvement in open education, open education activities, strategies, impact, challenges and prospects. The main outcome of this study is evidence that a large number of OER have reached a large group of learners. However, completion rates of MOOCs are low. Accreditation is not formalised and in general its impact on employability is not measure

An Empirical Case of Education Policy Implementation in Serbian VET

Purpose: Education policy implementation is as important as policy design. This study applies a literature-based, multi-dimensional framework for success factors and barriers to vocational education and training (VET) reform implementation in the case of a new dual VET law in Serbia. We use the framework to assess factors related to implementation, then relate these factors to actual implementation progress to determine how factors relate to progress. In this application of the framework, we examine whether implementation success requires high scores in every dimension.  Methods: This is a mixed methods study. We conduct document analysis of key resources related to the structure and intention of the reform. We also statistically analyze a dataset of two rounds of interviews conducted during the pre- and early-implementation phases. These interviews include key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and from national, regional, and local-level actors. We examine how the framework's dimensions and determinants relate to implementation progress.  Results: The implementation of the law is moving forward in Serbia, making this a successful case of progress in policy implementation. Despite this progress, the factors for implementation are not all strong. We find that the content dimension of the framework is a barrier, capacity is unclear, and context, commitment, and clients—actors' engagement— drive implementation progress. Thus, although the implementation process is imperfect in its determinants, it is successfully progressing and already forming the new system.  Conclusions: Based on our results we argue that—even if the framework describes factors that affect VET reform implementation—not all elements are necessary for VET reform implementation to progress. Policymakers can start without perfect implementation conditions and may benefit from striving for "good enough" across dimensions rather than perfect in any one dimension. We discuss potential mechanisms and identify pathways for future research, including moving in the direction of causal research.

Universities as the fifth power? Opportunities, Risks and Strategies

This 13th volume recording the Glion Colloquiums provides a striking set of ideas concerning the communication and exchange of research universities with society. Its timely topic was chosen by the programme committee in 2019, before the outbreak of the pandemic. Eminent leaders of research universities around the globe present indispensable advice on how to improve the “relationship” of science with society, especially during a crisis First, about how universities communicate, presuming that communication to and with society is at the heart of the university and increases the value of research considerably. Second, how citizens participate in research – examining the active promotion of citizen science, ways to help this communication forward and new approaches for motivating faculty and staff into action. In the third part, leaders recommend how universities can contribute to efficient public policy-making. Contributions discuss the important question whether the university takes an active stand in the debate, or is only striving to activate knowledge in the context of politics. In the fourth part, participants discuss how universities become the fifth power. Knowledge diplomacy is becoming a powerful tool, but universities should be more aware of why and how they are used by authorities, and carefully think about how their academic freedom can be imperilled