Mondragon University, the University of the Basque Country, the University of Deusto and Arantzazulab come together to jointly develop an innovative laboratory research space
Mondragon University, the University of the Basque Country, the University of Deusto and Arantzazulab come together to jointly develop an innovative laboratory research space
Mondragon University, the University of the Basque Country, the University of Deusto and Arantzazulab come together to jointly develop an innovative laboratory research space
Through a collaboration agreement signed between Arantzazulab and the three universities, these institutions will jointly undertake research work and other activities in order to become an exemplary center in strategic laboratory areas.
The Social Innovation Laboratory of Arantzazu, Arantzazulab, Mondragon University, the University of the Basque Country and the University of Deusto signed a collaboration agreement in Arantzazulab for joint research in areas that are consistent with the objectives of the laboratory, with the aim of turning it into an exemplary knowledge center. The event took place on October 15 in the Gandiaga de Arantzazu center (Oñati), with the following participants: Agustín Erkizia, Vice-Rector of the Gipuzkoa campus of the University of the Basque Country; Nagore Ipiña, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences of Mondragon University; Xabier Riezu, Vice-Rector of the Donostia campus of the University of Deusto; and Naiara Goia, Managing Director of Arantzazulab.
This agreement strengthens the relationship that the organizations have maintained since Arantzazulab was founded, and promotes collaboration in the innovative space that Arantzazulab is proposing for the next few years. One of the pillars of Arantzazulab is the collaboration of the different universities of the region as well as their participation in the framework and initiatives of the laboratory. From the beginning, they have been especially involved in collaborating in both reflection on and the initial design of the laboratory, a fact that is considered a milestone among the institutions. In addition, at present, the three universities are participating on a permanent basis in the Advisory Board of Arantzazulab.
Additionally, under the collaboration agreement, the different actions that will be carried out jointly in the future have been specified, including: research, innovation, creation and transformation of knowledge, networking and promotion of collaborative projects. “Today is a day of celebration for us, because this collaboration agreement and the commitment of the three universities lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the space and the innovative organization that we propose at the meeting point for Arantzazulab research, while establishing us as a standard of knowledge in our field,” said Naiara Goia, Managing Director of Arantzazulab. Agustín Erkizia, Vice-Rector of the Gipuzkoa campus of the University of the Basque Country continued along the same line: “With this agreement we take another step in the creation of this new and innovative space for reflection that we wish to build together and in which researchers and thinkers from the University of the Basque country will contribute and share their knowledge.”
For her part, Nagore Ipiña, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences of Mondragon University, highlighted the opportunities generated by this collaboration. “This agreement signed between Arantzazulab and the three universities will allow us to create a new and innovative space for collaboration for research, making it possible to join forces in research and establish ourselves as a country in the field of international research. This agreement is also an opportunity to respond to complex and global challenges from the perspective of different agents. Both for Mondragon University and for its researchers, collaborative work is key for the development of knowledge and its dissemination in the public agenda. The agreement will be a catalyst for research based on creativity and for the task of disseminating the work that is carried out.” Additionally, Xabier Riezu, Vice-Rector of the Donostia campus of the University of Deusto, stated that “The motto ‘People and institutions transforming the world together’ is an integral part of the strategic plan of the University of Deusto. Spurring innovation through collaboration is a task we place at the heart of our mission. A good example of this is what we are signing today. The different universities have come together to imagine, analyze and work to help the society of the future.”
Research program, conferences, reflection sessions and dissemination programs
In addition, it is worth highlighting the character or differential value of this collaboration agreement. In fact, Arantzazulab seeks a novel and unconventional collaboration. “The meeting point for research is underway. Beyond the sum of individual research from the different universities, the value of Arantzazulab lies in its being a meeting point for reflection and collaborative research. This form of organization implies articulating an unconventional mode of collaboration since instead of competing, it combines the research efforts of the different universities. This transformative and innovative concept allows us to promote a new way of conducting research,” said Naiara Goia. In addition, to address the topics proposed by Arantzazulab, interdisciplinary researchers of different generations will meet, a circumstance that will bring together very different visions and diverse knowledge when developing knowledge on specific topics.
Regarding the contents to be investigated, Collaborative Governance lie at the core of the research center. In this sense, as an exemplary center in Governance and Social Innovation (as part of the Etorkizuna Eraikiz program of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa), and based on that responsibility, Arantzazulab has a mission: to become a relevant space for the development of knowledge in the field of Collaborative Governance, from both theoretical and practical points of view, and to work for the good of the country, the Basque institutional system and social agents. Additionally, the three universities will focus their research on the following topics: Democracy, Well-Being, Work and Coexistence. Whatever its scope, the knowledge developed in collaboration will not remain exclusively in the academic sphere of the universities and/or Arantzazulab, but rather a special effort will be made for its social dissemination.
Likewise, this framework will mean that the universities place their resources and accumulated experience in research at the disposal of this agreement. In order to develop the program proposed by Arantzazulab, researchers from each university must carry out their activities with dedication, and will attend work meetings together with researchers from the other universities in the Arantzazulab facilities. In addition to research, the three universities will organize conferences, reflection sessions and dissemination programs in collaboration with Arantzazulab.