Setting-up an international science partnership program: A case study between Portuguese and US research universities

Abstract

International partnerships between universities are expanding and diversifying worldwide. Policymakers have understood that an active strategy of partnering national universities with world-class universities can bring socio-economic returns, and promote change. This article analyzes the background and logic behind the design and early development of an ongoing international partnership program established between a medium-sized European country and three prominent US research universities in 2006. Our findings show that political will, combined with an academic background and experience, have enabled the policymakers to learn from other international partnerships, and shape the involvement with the US universities. The role of "champion" policymakers was critical to the establishment of the partnerships before and during the initial period. Throughout this process the role of previous science policies and networks were found to have leveraged national research groups to collaborate and benefit from the IPPs, and supported long-term research collaboration ties with US universities. Portuguese faculty at US universities mediated the interaction between US and Portuguese academics and policymakers, and promoted the partnerships within their universities. Finally, the policymaker's focus on institutional competition was able to draw on the competitiveness of academics and institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, encouraging individuals and institutions to increase their involvement.

Individuals in action: bringing about innovation in higher education

“…In this regard, the building of social networks inside and outside their HEIs is of importance. For example, the building ofand occupying a central position withinexternal networks of relevance, such as international and/or national academic and scientific associations, can attract the reputation capital necessary to facilitate internal change (Horta and Patrício 2016) by fostering the IEs position in the HEIs internal networks. However, it is probable that relying simply on an external network would be insufficient to drive change in the HEIs (because the relations where the IEs sourced their social capital would be external to the institution and, thus, perceived as alien), although there are significant benefits of such networks in innovative breakthroughs external to the organization (see Bercovitz and Feldman 2011).…”

When Developing Countries Meet Transnational Universities: Searching for Complementarity and Dealing With Dual Embeddedness

“…Beyond education, attracting the research activities of foreign universities can contribute to building a critical mass of research capacities in designated priority areas (Horta & Patrício, 2016; Youtie, Li, Rogers, & Shapira, 2017). Moreover, it represents an opportunity to enhance international technology transfer and diffusion, to bolster learning and demonstration effects on local universities, and to increase a country’s attractiveness for R&D-related investments by multinational companies (Klerkx & Guimón, 2017; Pfotenhauer, Wood, Roos, & Newman, 2016).…”

Enhancing an International Perspective in Public Health Teaching through Formalized University Partnerships

“…Formalized international university partnerships that foster exchange and cooperation can help tackle these challenges by providing a structural and organizational framework for respective activities ( 13 , 14 ). They can also be a competitive edge for universities in terms of international visibility and attractiveness for international students and researchers.…”