Our department is part of the the PIONEER+ project. PIONEER+ is a European collaboration dedicated to strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) capacity of higher education institutions through digital transformation. Bringing together eight universities and two industry partners, the project builds on the achievements of earlier HEI initiatives to promote institutional change, enhance knowledge transfer structures, and equip students, researchers, and staff with entrepreneurial mindsets and digital skills.

Within the project, partners will:

• Expand and professionalize Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) to accelerate research commercialization.
• Design a Master’s programme in AI in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship and offer flexible micro-learning opportunities.
• Implement mentoring schemes for women and creative entrepreneurs.
• Deliver consulting and training formats in digital entrepreneurship, supported by AI-driven tools.
• Strengthen collaboration between education, research, and business, and deepen engagement with regional innovation ecosystems.

By working across all five HEInnovate dimensions, PIONEER+ fosters resilient innovation ecosystems in participating regions, enhances institutional readiness for digital transformation, and promotes sustainable impact through interdisciplinary collaboration and shared best practices.