EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Think Tank

Think Tank - Münster, Germany

Introduction

Think Tank Münster utilises the power of the university. A select interdisciplinary team is proving remarkably creative in its approach to problems. At the same time, students learn about the practical reality as they study.

Problem

How can the creativity and expertise of students and academics be put to work coming up with new ideas for developing products, methods and services?

Description

With its Idea Mining project the department of Research Transfer at the university of Münster, Germany, is developing a new multifunctional tool for research transfer. In a network which includes the universities of Bielefeld, Dortmund and Paderborn the project focuses on:

creativity development;
generating ideas;
establishing a patent culture in the universities;
early recognition of talent;
the role of social competence.

Approach

The Think Tank Münster is a workshop where creativity and a collective effort come together to look for solutions and new areas of application on behalf of both industry and the public sector. Each Think Tank team consists of a group of students from the participating universities, selected for their brain-power and originality. The Think Tank's work is offered free of charge and usually takes between half a day and a day, though depending on the field, the requirements and the options available to the client it may take several days. The whole process is overseen by an experienced moderator.

Results

Students learn that scientific and academic concepts can provide solutions for concrete commercial applications.
Students become familiar with entrepreneurial approaches and gain insight into the goals of science and knowledge.
Students experience at first hand how systematic methods can work for the development of creativity that can be employed both in their studies and subsequently in their careers.
In the course of their study, students make contact with potential employers.
Companies have a fast track to new ideas for their products.
Universities outside the POWeR (Patentoffensive Westfalen Ruhr) consortium are showing interest in the concept.
The Think Tank on city development, commissioned by city of Münster, has generated many new ideas. Students' ideas are a particularly important input for evaluating the development of a university city like Münster.

Contact info

Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Anna-Maija Kasanen, tel. +49 251830

Project start date

08/11/2004

Links

Think Tank Münster Swedish Interactive Institute Helsinki School of Economics, Finland University of Twente, Netherlands

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Competitiveness, Specific sectors