YABDA : Strengthening of relations between higher education and the wider economic and social environment

Context

The purpose of Yabda is to respond to the strong need for capacity-building in partner universities for the promotion of spin-off entrepreneurship, that will match the high research and development potential of the partner countries with soaring youth unemployment.

Higher Education Institutions’ role can be instrumental in assisting economic development in their communities and contributing to national competitiveness. Universities around the world have expanded their mission beyond that of basic research and teaching to become places where knowledge fuels patent development, business collaborations and incubators for start-ups.

Therefore, Yabda will develop a comprehensive ecosystem fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and innovation in HEIs and beyond. It will further the level of competences and skills and mobilize all university resources, including academic, and administrative staff and students, for turning universities into effective start-up platforms. In addition, the project will act as a ‘policy entrepreneur’, spreading entrepreneurial ideas and skills, through the interaction with enterprises, policy-makers and society. This is expected to reinforce its systemic impact.

Objectives

• To create an entrepreneurial infrastructure and culture that responds to and builds on the regional context
• To address entrepreneurial and innovation challenges in the areas where partner countries display competitive advantage: ie. green technology, energy and sustainable development,
• To build a high calibre network of future entrepreneurs and thinkers that connects with the local/regional and international market ecosystem with a multiplier effect in the Maghreb region.

To find out more about the project: English version