6.1 Valuable (and value-based) partnerships
Tilburg University has many valuable (and value-based) collaborations. The focus of these is on interdisciplinary research themes on which the university will make additional efforts in the coming years. These are related to social challenges such as the sustainability transition, labor market, well-being & health, and widespread prosperity. In addition, digitalization is an important theme that recurs in all these challenges. Technology cannot be separated from the social and societal context that both produces and uses its applications. Breakthroughs in scientific knowledge and social interventions arise when we search for new solutions in co-creation with various collaboration partners and from different disciplines.
Academic Collaborative Centers
2022 saw the start of the creation of university-wide academic collaborative centers. This is a form of work in which our researchers and students work with strategic partners in co-creation on solutions to social issues. Characteristic of these academic collaborative centers is a multi-year, interdisciplinary and co-created collaboration with external organizations, governments, and other knowledge institutions based on a shared ambition.
In 2022, the decision-making around these collaborative centers was completed and implementation started. In addition, twelve working sessions with external partners were organized last year for the various collaborative centers.
Digital Sciences for Society
Digital Sciences is a catalyst for the other impact themes but also of great importance to the entire university. Hence, it has become an integral part of the university’s strategy in the form of the Digital Sciences for Society program. In 2022, the decision-making around this strategic line was completed and the implementation of the program started with, among other things, a call for research projects and an analysis of the existing degree programs within all Schools.
ENGAGE
In ENGAGE.EU European University, Tilburg University is working with six other European Social Sciences, Economics, and Humanities universities on the university of the future. Together, we strive for an integrated approach, in which education, research, and social significance are developed in connection. In 2022, many and various activities took place for our students and researchers, as well as for our professional learners.
The main impact related outcomes in 2022 are:
organization of activities for a joint Grant desk, led by Tilburg University;
development of a digital collaboration platform for researchers;
organization of the Tilburg Expedition from the university-wide Academic Collaborative Center on Climate and Energy Transition in the summer of 2022; in the Expedition, 25 students from the partner universities came together for one week to find solutions to challenges brought in by social partners of the collaborative center;
organization of several pilots under the ENGAGE Work Integrated Learning Program (the professional learning program).
MindLabs
MindLabs is a partnership of knowledge institutions, governments, companies, social institutions, and start-ups focused on the development of human centered AI. In 2022, eight new companies joined MindLabs, and two new projects started: DigiReal (including Tilburg University, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Fontys), funded by the European Union and “VVT and the opportunities of AI” (Fontys and Tilburg University together with a number of healthcare institutions), funded by the province of North Brabant. In May, MindLabs organized its Annual Event 2022, including a key note speech by Prof. Max Louwerse (TSHD) and several demonstrations by researchers, companies, and lecturers involved. MindLabs co-produced eight events with the Tilburg University Artificial Intelligence Special Interest Group (TAISIG), the AI research community within Tilburg University. 2022 was also marked by preparations for the move to MindLabs' new building in the Tilburg Spoorzone: Tilburg University will move into offices, lab spaces, and lecture halls in that building.
