University of Helsinki
Maybe you have already heard about Academic Action -network from your friends or from our blog, but I will write again a short post about the network. It’s important to show also the university’s perspective; when a research university embraces an entrepreneurial mindset – what happens? Erto Örnberg from University of Helsinki shares his insights and experiences on Academic action -network.
Academic Action -network gathers people who want to create more academic entrepreneurship at University of Helsinki. Network opens new doors for different projects and start-ups. Entrepreneurial mindset is important also because we are facing major global problems and we need solutions from many actors.
When a research university embraces an entrepreneurial mindset – what happens?
It offers new possibilities for traditional research university by combining research and entrepreneurial mindset as supporting and new creating, not as opposite and competing manner of approach.
I´ll see the entrepreneurship as an important part of the futures society and also as a part of university but as culture historian I can´t see that it happens by wiping out centuries of tradition, expertise and culture. University is not an enterprise-like production unit with crucial goal to make profit. We should understand the entrepreneurial way as parallel opportunity which supports research, inter – and multidisciplinary and knowledge transfer from university to society. But still it´s good to remember that basic research and education are and should be the base of university also in the future
How does the concept “Academic action” help students to be more innovative?
To be innovative is to see and do things different way. “Academic action” challenging students to think, perceive their own potential and know-how, networking and helps to understand the value and strength of co-operation. They also could find out a new kind of academic career by combining studies, research and entrepreneurship (or intrapreneurship), creating new ideas, models and procedures to solve the societal problems.
What inspires you in our university?
It´s inspiring to work in a world-class university which is through education and top level research one of the crucial actors in resolving global challenges. I´m also inspired by this academic freedom of thinking, inter- and multidisciplinary environment and interesting work community of colleques, scientists and students.