Utrecht, 27 August 2025 – At this year’s EAIR Forum, HEInnovate hosted a workshop exploring how higher education institutions can build entrepreneurial capacity in times of uncertainty and change.
Under the conference theme “Openness: a Mission Challenged”, the session brought together 20 participants for a hands-on experience with the HEInnovate self-assessment and Action Cards. The discussion centred on how the entrepreneurial university model can serve as a practical response to growing complexity and pressure on institutions.
HEInnovate expert László Horváth introduced the session by highlighting three characteristics that support long-term resilience in higher education: organisational slack, diversity, and autonomy. These, he argued, align closely with the entrepreneurial mindset and offer a pathway for transformation.
Participants then completed a live mini self-assessment using the eight HEInnovate dimensions. The strongest scores related to ecosystem engagement and external partnerships. Lower ratings in areas such as digital transformation and impact measurement highlighted a shared need to better track progress and adapt to emerging challenges.
In small group discussions, participants used HEInnovate’s Action Cards to reflect on their own institutional practices. The cards provided a starting point to discuss where concrete action is alre
ady taking place and where gaps remain. Many participants pointed to the value of the tool in sparking honest conversations, particularly when involving both academic and professional services staff.
The workshop closed with a reflection on the role of HEInnovate as a dialogue enabler: not just a framework for assessment, but a structure for building collective ownership of innovation strategies.
📸 Stay connected and follow the conversation using #BeAnHEInnovator