First 3i University Network Forum

10:00-10:30 : Welcome and coffee

10:30-12:00 : Plenary Session 1: “Opportunities & Funding for cross-border research”

• Welcome speech: Prof. Lionel Montagne, Vice-President for Strategic Projects, University of Lille
• Introduction to the cross-border context: Prof. Shane Weller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, University of Kent
• Funding opportunities:
  • European funding programmes: 
    • Horizon Europe, Romain Wascat, policy officer for research, innovation and economic development, Hauts-de-France Region
    • Interreg North-West Europe, Alexandre Tournakis, French national contact point;
    • Interreg North Sea, Caroline Daessle, French national contact point;
    • Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen, Eve-Marie Virey, French territorial facilitator
  • Binational programmes and initiatives:  
    • France-Belgium, Maël Le Bail, Higher Education and Scientific Cooperation Attaché, French Embassy in Belgium
    • France-United Kingdom, Damien Vialle, Higher Education Attaché, French Embassy in United Kingdom
• A regional cross-border initiative: The Straits Committee, Emmanuelle Bertrand, Head of mission European and international cooperation, Département du Pas-de-Calais
• Examples of success stories:
  • CChESMATE project, Prof. Vincent De Waele, University of Lille
  • NETENVIE project, Prof. Taniel Danelian, University of Lille
  • TELS project, Prof. Annelies Raes, KU Leuven
  • Net zero project, Prof. Jeremy Carrette, University of Kent

12:00-13:00 : Lunch + Networking

13:00-13:30 : Plenary Session 2: “Which regional challenges should be 3i priorities?”

• Introduction to the 3i University Network
• 3i call for projects
• Presentation of the 4 thematic subgroups and objectives of the workshop sessions

13:30-15:15 : Workshops: Defining and refining 3i actions

The 4 parallel workshop sessions will be led by researchers, one per member university of the 3i Network:

1. Marine & Maritime challenges – led by Dr. Sara Vandamme, Ghent University: The goal of this workshop is to define future actions and research topics on which the partners in the 3i University Network can collaborate. During the workshop, experts in marine and maritime research of the four 3i-partners will each present their in-house expertise on the central theme. Each partner will put forward a selection of 3 potential key topics they for future collaboration. Subsequently, one of these 3 topics will be discussed more in-depth by a researcher from each of the partner-institutions. After the four presentations, a group discussion will be held to try to identify priorities for next steps forward in the collaboration on Marine and Maritime challenges within the 3i University Network.
2. Nutrition & Health – led by Prof. Imogen Foubert, KU Leuven: A brainstorm will focus on different aspects of nutritionally interesting components from industrial (food) processing side streams and from new types of biomass (insects, algae, fungi, …). The aim is to cover different aspects going from component extraction, incorporation and processing in food, determination of the nutritional value and to validate this via clinical impact studies: from superfluous to superfood. Also, sociological impact and consumer behavior can be aspects of discussion. After this meeting, we will have a detailed overview of the areas of expertise of partners from the four 3i Universities which can serve as a basis for future collaborations.
3. Climate & Energy - led by Prof. Jeremy Carrette, University of Kent: This workshop will explore one of the most vital themes of our present age - the challenge of climate and energy. The issues of net zero and sustainability are central to our shared regions and vital to the development of business for the future and the everyday life of our communities. University research is now embarking on many projects related to this work. The aim of the workshop is to bring together universities, business and local government to explore the common challenges across our regions to identify a set of priorities for future collaboration. The workshop will be divided in to two parts, firstly an exploration of the natural challenges (sea level, fresh water, rainfall, sustainable lifestyles), followed secondly by a discussion on energy, security and integration.
4. Communities & Well-being: led by Prof. Philippe Sabot, University of Lille: This workshop will define the priorities for research and cooperation linked to issues facing our contemporary societies including (but not limited to) ageing, mental health, poverty and migration. These issues have an important economic and social impact on our society that calls for action to address the vulnerability of certain groups and facilitate their inclusion, in order to create strong communities in which all members have a sense of well-being. In this workshop, we will first explore the challenges that are common to the Hauts-de-France, Kent Country and Flanders. We will then determine which of our shared challenges should be prioritized by the 3i Network in collaboration with government authorities, socio-economic stakeholders and civil society. Finally, we will explore potential projects that can be carried out jointly by the different structures represented.

15:15-15:45 : Coffee break

15:45-17:00 : Plenary Session 3: “Restitution and perspectives”

Panel discussion 1 “Feedback of the 4 workshops”

• Dr. Sara Vandamme, Ghent University
• Prof. Imogen Foubert, KU Leuven
• Prof. Jeremy Carrette, University of Kent
• Prof. Philippe Sabot, University of Lille

Panel discussion 2 “How can the public and private sector stimulate cross-border research and what role can 3i play in this?”

• Charlotte Destoop, Director of Technical University Alliance West (TUA West)
• Rob Robinson, Sustainable Business Programme Manager at Kent County Council
• Kate Verslype, Commercial Affairs – Advisor Multimodality & Rail, North Sea Port
• Dr. Michael Chys, Operations Manager VEG-i-TEC, Ghent University

Signature of joint statement by university representatives

• Prof. Regis Bordet, President of the University of Lille
• Prof. Shane Weller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, in representation of Professor Karen Cox, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Kent,
• Prof. Piet Desmet, Vice-Rector, in representation of Professor Luc Sels, Rector of KU Leuven,
• Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe Vice-Rector, in representation of Professor Rik Van de Walle, Rector of Ghent University

17:00-18:00 : Cocktail reception

Registration ?

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