EU project takes lab ideas to the marketplace
View(s):Key drivers of Horizon 2020 – an EU-funded research initiative are smart, sustainable and inclusive growth that would make the European Union more dynamic and competitive, said Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga from the University of Salford, UK at the launch of Horizon 2020 last week in Colombo.
She said that its headline targets are 75 per cent of the population aged 20– -64 should be employed; 3 per cent of the EU’s GDP should be invested in research and development; climate/energy targets should be met; the share of early school leavers should be under 10 per cent ; at least 40 per cent of the younger generation should have a tertiary degree; and 20 million fewer people should be at risk of poverty.
The 10-year strategy of the EU – Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme with a funding of Euro 80 billion over a period of seven years from 2014 to 2020. It is a project that would innovate great ideas from the laboratory to the market.
The South Asian segment of Horizon 2020 was inaugurated in collaboration with the University of Salford and the University of Moratuwa. Horizon 2020 is open to international cooperation and aims to boost knowledge-driven economies.
In inaugurating Horizon 2020, EU Ambassador David Daly said that many countries had accelerated their economic growth, development and industry competitiveness by paying close attention to research and innovation.
He said that with the Horizon 2020 funding, the goal is first and foremost to contribute to growth, jobs and a better quality of life and indicated that it has the potential to make a substantial contribution in reaching the Mahinda Chintana’s goal of making Sri Lanka a ‘Knowledge Hub’ in the region.
Investment in this field, Mr. Daly said is an investment in their shared future and over the last few years numerous European and Sri Lankan academics have been increasingly working together through such programmes.
With a simplified and more accessible Horizon 2020, he encouraged researchers, universities and business including SMEs to sign up.
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