Unisinos is the most innovative institution in southern Brazil in the Teaching and Research special category, according to the Campeãs da Inovação ranking, promoted by Grupo Amanhã. The award recognizes the 50 companies that most invest in innovation in the region, based on a methodology developed by the IXL Center, in Cambridge, MS, USA. The 19th edition of the ranking was released at a ceremony held this Friday (14th) at Instituto Caldeira.
Rector Fr. Sergio Mariucci celebrates the award as a reflection of the University’s performance, which seeks to generate new knowledge and social impact through research, teaching and extension. “This recognition by Unisinos as an innovative institution expresses the strong connection between research and the strengthening of the innovation ecosystem. It also reinforces the role of the University to ensure solid innovation processes”, he says.
The director of the Research and Graduate Academic Unit, Maura Corcini Lopes, points out that technological, social and environmental innovation is fostered and developed in all areas and levels of education at Unisinos. “It is through the generation of new knowledge and the promotion of dialogue between areas and levels of education (undergraduate, master’s and doctorate) that we invest our energies in improving living conditions in all its forms of expression and habitat”, scores her.
Unisinos has 66 lines of research, which guide the development of knowledge innovation practices in graduate programs. In addition, there are 89 research groups responsible for producing and transmitting knowledge to society. Currently, there are more than 400 ongoing research projects, with more than 4,000 people involved, including students, professors, scholars, external participants, graduates and post-doctors.
Partnership with the innovation ecosystem
The executive manager of Tecnosinos and director of Unitec, Silvio Bitencourt, points out that the award reflects the University’s position in the face of new demands in relation to the role it plays in society. “Innovation becomes imperative on this path, which involves a dynamic balance between maintaining academic excellence and collaborative work with different stakeholders”, he analyzes.
Tecnosinos is an example of this partnership between the University and the innovation ecosystem. Created more than two decades ago and headquartered at Unisinos, the São Leopoldo Technological Park is an innovation environment that enhances innovative entrepreneurship. Tecnosinos stimulates new economies in the area of technology and helps the sustainable development of the region, generating high-value direct jobs, increasing revenue and consolidating an entrepreneurial culture.
Encouraging science-based entrepreneurship
Roser Award
Unisinos also promotes the Padre Francisco Xavier Roser SJ Innovation Entrepreneurship Award, one of the most challenging entrepreneurship marathons, which aims to boost the creation of initiatives through research projects. The competition encourages young people to transform their ideas into solutions for the market.
The award is aimed at high school, technical education, undergraduate and graduate students from all over Brazil, in addition to professors, employees of the University and companies in the Technological Park. The award is promoted by Unisinos, through Unitec and Tecnosinos.
Partnership with SebraeX
In constant movement, the São Leopoldo Technological Park seeks to strengthen the relationship between the knowledge generated at the University and innovative entrepreneurship. An example of this effort is the partnership established with SebraeX, which foresees carrying out a series of training courses and projects throughout 2023 that will boost the development of new startups and technology-based companies, expanding the support and services offered to the incubated.
One of the first actions resulting from this partnership is the TecXp TECNOSINOS – Powered by SebraeX event. Aimed at students, the hackathon promotes an innovation marathon in two days of competition.
About the Innovation Champions ranking
The Campeãs da Inovação ranking uses the Innovation Management Index, a methodology by Gimi – Global Innovation Management Institute – a global non-profit organization created by executives, academics and consultants specialized in innovation from several countries. The ranking assesses companies in southern Brazil in four dimensions: strategy, process, organization and culture, and results.
