As the BIOEAST Foresight identified lack of education in bioeconomy the BIOEAST Initiative established a dedicated horizontal Thematic Working Group Bioeconomy Education.
Panel discussion of the BIOEAST macro regional Thematic working group focused on Bioeconomy Education (TWG BE Edu) took place during the High level international BIOEAST Congress – Setting up a research and innovation agenda for the BIOEAST Macro-Region. The TWG Co Leader Marie Kubankova (BIOEAST HUB CZ) set the scene introducing achievements and challenges, with a focus to both the Thematic SRIA, established on the new university network BIOEAST Uni NET and also involvement of the TWG into the ongoing projects BIObec and BIOgovnet, With the support of the BIOEASTsUP project both thematic study and thematic SRIA were developed by experts in cooperation with policy makers.
Steliana Rodino (Institute of Research for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development) member of the TWG representing Romania articulated the need for a common approach to bioeconomy education. Rimantas Dapkus (Professor of the Academy of Agriculture at the Vytautas Magnus University, Advisor of the Lithuanian Parliament) member of the TWG representing Romania presented the BIOEAST Uni Net. George Sakellaris (BIOEAST HUB CR) and TWG Leader introduced next steps both developing new projects (in particular in the Widening calls) to increase capacity.
The discussion encouraged the auditorium to take part, Damian Kuznowicz (PRO CIViC) took the opportunity and presented in more details the BIObec project that is developing regional oriented centers for bioeconomy education that are involving a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
Barna Kovacs, Secretary General of the BIOEAST Iniative enquired whether the need for policy involvement is necessary. There was a clear consensus that the involvement of the Ministry of Educations from the BIOEAST countries is highly important.