Human skills are the main key to success in research. Therefore, attracting and retaining good researchers requires joint collaboration by a region’s Universities and Companies, in order to generate packages and challenges which are attractive to professional staff.

In this sense, the early recognition of talent by both parties can contribute not only to the creation of stronger links between them, but also to the establishing of processes which lead to the incorporation of highly qualified staff into a company’s structure on either a temporary or permanent basis. The involvement of gifted research personnel is the key element to success for both companies and the academic world.

Added value services (Karlsruhe, Germany)

One of KIT’s most notable features is the relocation and welcoming service which is offered to teachers on their arrival at the institution. This offers help for new staff in finding homes, schools or kindergartens on campus, as well as arranging foreign language lessons for employees and their families, amongst other things.

Sharing teachers between Universities and Business (Karlsruhe, Germany)

Aware of the research capabilities of Universities, and taking the needs of researchers into account, Companies have developed a form of joint collaboration with the KIT. This includes the creation of jobs in the University’s research centres, the cost of which are shared equally by both parties. This is just one of the various approaches used by the KIT to attract skilled staff, and the intellectual property generated with this form of collaboration is again shared in equal proportions by the institution and the company which sponsors the work. This type of interaction forms part of a broader human resources policy developed by the KIT in which the promotion of international relationships and collaboration, especially with the business sector, is of paramount importance.

Recruiting staff with suitable profiles (Karlsruhe, Germany)

The University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe (HSK) has defined a set of clear criteria for selecting its teaching staff: recognised experts with considerable experience (minimum 3-5 years) in applied research projects who are attracted by the possibility of devoting some of their teaching hours to investigation.

Agents required for implementation

This recommendation can be implemented by one or several companies.

View explanatory caption

1. Interview with Mr. Lebourge. Conseil Regional Nord-Pas de Calais.
2. http://www.hs-karlsruhe.de/servlet/PB/menu/1086994_l1/index.html
   
3. http://www.kit.edu/index.php