UA has been building a strong track record of relationships with both the private and public sectors, reflected in successful projects that should be converted into a truly institutional strategy. The partnership with industry represents a key pillar for the sharing and co-crea- tion of knowledge between UA and companies, promoting the training of more specialized professionals, stimulating cutting-edge research, and making the industry more compet- itive and innovative, thus creating conditions to retain young, qualified individuals in the region.

This relationship also serves as a potential aggregator of essential research funding, vital for the mutual advancement of scientific knowledge and the productive sector..

Collaboration with the public sector is an increasingly demanded responsibility from HEIs, both in training more qualified professionals and in the engagement of institutions, but also in developing innovative public policies that promote economic development, social well-being, and planetary sustainability. Cooperation, as the third mission of HEIs, must play a fundamental role in creating an environment of shared learning, where knowledge is generated and applied collaboratively with communities, institutions, and businesses.

It is necessary to expand and strengthen partnerships with society, seeking a balance in the collaboration model, ensuring a commitment essential for building a solid and sustainable innovation ecosystem. Implementing this commitment through a clear institutional strat- egy will not only ensure technological and knowledge development at local, national, and international levels but will also establish UA as a reference university, socially committed and actively involved in building a more sustainable and plural future.

UA 2030 Commitments: Cooperation, Creation, and Knowledge Sharing

One-stop innovation and partnership desk

Establish an agile service dedicated to supporting and formalizing collaborations between the university and the community. This desk, in collaboration with the Institute for Cooperation, will serve as a single point of contact for institutions (businesses, municipalities, organizations, etc.) seeking to cooperate with UA, simplifying the development of partnership processes and access to knowledge and technology transfer.

Cooperation and co-creation strategies

Focus on maintaining a structured record of the nature, type, and other characteristics of the interactions developed between UA and its various partner entities, and assess the impact of these interactions by implementing a monitoring cycle for the process and its results. This procedure will allow for an integrated evaluation of UA’s current reality and enable strategic planning for its future, emphasizing the institution’s role as a facilitator of innovation and sustainable development.

Promotion of a culture of innovation and knowledge valorization

Given the knowledge and innovation potential at UA, it is essential to promote the increased valorization of its contributions to society. This requires support for its collaborators in the various processes of protecting, valuing, and exploiting the discoveries and innovations resulting from research, including the creation of technology-based companies and estab- lishing partnerships with public and private institutions, both nationally and internationally.