Origins

In 2004 OECD conducted a comparative study of how issues relating to higher education institutions and their engagement in regional development were addressed. This thematic review project 'Supporting the contribution of HEIs to regional development'involved 14 regions across 12 countries. The final synthesis report from the project was published in 2007, and a monograph, Higher Education and the Regions: Globally Competitive, Locally Engaged, was launched at a conference in Valencia that year.

The study was generally well received, but new issues arise both globally and in local regions, and it is apparent that there remain important questions about how different universities engage with different regions in the face of changing development needs. In responding to these needs, PASCAL, through the PURE study, will seek to update and build on the work for the benefit of participants, both in the original OECD study and in newly involved regions.

The PURE study is free-standing and has no connection with any additional work which might be undertaken by OECD to extend its previous work. However, OECD will be kept informed of the outcomes from the Pascal PURE project. Similarly, Pascal will maintain links with the European Union and relevant networks in other parts of the world.

Aims and Objectives

The PURE study will make a contribution in two main respects.

The first is to learn more about substantive aspects of regional development and the contribution universities can make to these. Examples of these substantive aspects of regional development may include for example supporting SMEs, supporting regional innovation, creative arts and industries, iconic mega or hallmark events, ecological sustainability, social inclusion and short-cycle higher education.

The second is more about processes, and is concerned with how both regions and universities are managed and engage. Our analysis will take into account the range of sometimes competing missions that universities have, and the differing national policy contexts in which regions and universities find themselves.

Outputs

Detailed regional reports
Synthesis Report
Guidance book on impact assessment
International inter-regional workshops/network
New and ongoing development-related action in participating regions
Arrangements for future network activity.

Timeline

1 Oct 2008 to 31 December 2010

Regions firmly committed and/or keenly interested

Botswana/Lesotho
Buskerud
Cape
Dublin
Flanders
Groningen
Hungary
Illinois
Jamtland
Kent
Melbourne
Oresund
Puglia
Scotland
Shannon
South of England
Southern Keralia
Tasmania
Toowoomba
Thames Gateway
Varmland

Many other regions have expressed interest in PURE and we envisage running the study on an annual basis.

For administrative queries relating to PURE organisation, logistics or assistance with resources, please contact the PURE administrator on pureadmin@educ.gla.ac.uk.