The Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń was a partner in this year's edition of the TIME Economic Forum – one of Poland's most important events dedicated to the development of new technologies, digitalisation and collaboration between science and business.
The 18th Time Economic Forum, held under the theme 'Technological Sovereignty of Poland and Europe 2030', took place in Warsaw on 9 and 10 March. The aim of the event is to facilitate the exchange of experiences between public administration, business and the academic community, and the topics discussed included key European Union regulations such as the AI Act, the Data Act and the Cyber Resilience Act.
The representatives from the Nicolaus Copernicus University played a significant role in the forum's programme, taking part in expert panels and discussions on the future of the European innovation system.
Fundamental cooperation
One of the items on the agenda was a debate entitled “Academia–business collaboration: new models of cooperation", moderated by the Vice-Rector for Science, dr habil. Adam Kola, NCU Prof. The discussion focused on new models of cooperation between the academic community and businesses, as well as the challenges facing the European research and innovation system.
During the panel discussion, attention was drawn to the growing tension between funding for knowledge creation and funding for the implementation and scaling up of technologies in the market. In the context of the debate on the future of the FP10 framework programme and new instruments designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy – such as the proposed European Competitiveness Fund – collaboration between science and business is no longer merely a complement to the innovation system. It is increasingly becoming its foundation.
At the same time, the panellists highlighted numerous barriers hindering such cooperation. These included, amongst others, a highly formalised legal and financial framework, excessive bureaucracy, and restrictions arising from public procurement regulations. Attention was also drawn to the challenges faced by academic institutions – lengthy decision-making processes, complex procedures, and mechanisms facilitating cooperation with industry that remain insufficiently developed.
The panel also featured prof. dr habil. Włodzisław Duch, – a leading expert in the field of artificial intelligence – as well as numerous experts representing public administration, research institutions and the technology sector. Among them were representatives of GovTech Polska, the Polish Academy of Sciences, the AGH University of Science and Technology, the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Centre, the National Clearing House, Accenture and the Social Insurance Institution.
Digital transformation
The presence of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń at the TIME Economic Forum was also evident thanks to the work of a research team led by dr habil. Michał Polasik, NCU Prof. whose research into innovation in the field of financial technology and modern payment systems is widely applied in the business sector. Professor Polasik moderated a panel entitled “The European Digital Innovation Hub – as a tool for commercialising research and supporting digital transformation", dedicated to the role of European digital innovation hubs in developing cooperation between academia, public administration and business. The discussion was attended by the representatives of public institutions, the start-up community and the technology sector, including the representatives of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the Ministry of Development and Technology, FinTech Poland, the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Centre, and Apator SA. The importance of institutions supporting digital transformation and the commercialisation of research was emphasised, as was the role of research teams that combine research expertise with experience in collaborating with industry, building lasting bridges between the world of science and the economy.
Technology transfer
Another highlight of the forum was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Nicolaus Copernicus University and Apator SA company. The agreement opens up new opportunities for joint research and development projects, technology transfer and the training of specialists for the modern technology and energy sectors.
During the discussion, the growing role of institutions supporting technology transfer was also highlighted. One example is the Nicolaus Copernicus University Centre for Academic Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer (CPATT), which develops cooperation between the university and the business sector and supports the commercialisation of research results. However, as the panellists emphasised, such units require a stronger foothold both within university structures and in the national innovation system.
Although the discussions at the forum highlighted many systemic challenges, there was also a distinct sense of optimism. This is because there is a growing number of researchers and entrepreneurs who move freely between the academic world and the business sector, combining academic expertise with technological and entrepreneurial skills.
The participation of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in the TIME Economic Forum demonstrated that research universities can play a key role in building meaningful bridges between science and the economy – particularly at a time of growing global technological competition and the need to strengthen European technological sovereignty.
