For a large university such as the University of Bologna (UNIBO), readiness means having the essential operational tools and the crucial human resources. There must be a structured interface that enables engagement between university and businesses, a legal framework and collaboration models that suit business needs. Moreover, human resources within the university itself, both professionals …

University-Business Engagement through the lens of a large university Read More »

Kevin Fitzgibbon, the Science and Engineering faculty representative with Munster Technological Universities’ (MTU) Extended Campus in Ireland, spoke with several experts from the Irish engineering SME sector to inform the SME Cluster Growth research project. MTU are working with eight European partners on this project aimed at empowering SMEs in the engineering sector to ensure …

Many Challenges Ahead for a Competitive Engineering Sector Read More »

We are excited to launch the first issue of our bi-annual EMPOWER magazine, dedicated to supporting SMEs in engineering to innovate and grow. As an ambitious collaboration of higher education institutions (HEIs), future skills and business growth professionals and university-industry relationship experts, our drive is to advance engineering SMEs’ capacities. We are focusing on cross-border engineering …

SME CG Launches Empower E-zine Read More »

SME Cluster Growth brings together nine partners from seven European countries.  It consists of six HEIs, a business professional, a VET service provider, and a University Industry Network. The consortium is coordinated from University of Malaga, Spain by Dr. Clara Plata Ríos who has over 10 years management experience of national and European projects at …

Meet the Partners Read More »

The SME’s Cluster Growth project aims to support small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) with their growth needs.  Our survey is a crucial exercise to achieve a deep understanding of SME experiences.  The results will be used to inform the European Commission, and SME Growth more broadly. SME Cluster Growth partners are also involved in …

Call for SME contributions to small and medium size enterprises (SME) growth needs survey – influence our research Read More »

A coalition of higher education institutions (HEIs), future skills and business growth professionals and university-industry relationship experts has announced the launch of a forward-thinking project to support small andmedium-sized (SMEs) businesses focused on engineering to form clusters to increase competitiveness and grow. The ERASMUS+ Knowledge Alliance project, SME Cluster Growth, kicked off in early 2021 and …

SME Cluster Growth Project Launches Across Europe Read More »

Following a successful SME survey spanning 500 engineering businesses from across Europe, SME Cluster Growth partners are preparing to establish six Cluster Growth Councils.  Each will serve as a platform to develop closer relationships between Engineering SMEs and universities in order to build joint action plans and strategies, align activities with local and regional issues …

Growth focus through 6 cluster growth councils Read More »