Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT

2.5.2.1 Objectives and Rationale of the Program 65
The SHOK program’s roots are in a Government resolution of
April 7 th , 2005 concerning the structural development of the
public research system. This resolution called for a national strategy
to create and consolidate internationally competitive centres
of excellence in science, technology and innovation (STI)
under the supervision of the Science and Technology Policy
Council of Finland. The strategy to set up the Strategic Centres
for Science, Technology and Innovation (SHOK) program was
presented in June 2006.
The overall objective of the program is to establish international
Strategic Centres of Excellence in STI in key competence
areas with regard to future needs of the business sector and society.
The centres are expected to renew industry clusters and to
create radical innovations. It was decided to establish Strategic
Centres in the areas of energy and environment, metal products
and mechanical engineering, forest cluster, health and well-being
and ICT industries/services.
In order to achieve the overall objective the following operational
objectives have to be achieved by the program:
1. Leading Finland-based enterprises, universities, research institutes
and financing organizations commit themselves to
the activities and objectives of the Centres and allocate resources
in the long term to strategically chosen, top-quality
Centres of an international standard.
2. Centres engage in dynamic and interactive RDI activities, .....
the results of which will be exploited efficiently and extensively.
Research activities of the Centres will anticipate the
needs of society and the business sector over a time span of
five to ten years.
3. High quality competence in STI and its reputation attract innovative
and globally leading enterprises and top-ranking
experts to Finland.
Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation are
selected for support from the SHOK program if they meet the
following criteria:
• The Strategic Centres of Excellence in STI have to be very
significant with regard to their potential for the national
economy and society as well as their R&D investment.
• The centres must have sufficient human and financial
resources at their disposal. As soon as their operation has
been established and stabilized, the overall financial
volume of each centre should be some EUR 50–100
65 Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland, 2006: Strategic Centres of Excellence
in STI and Tekes website (www.tekes.fi/en/community/Strategic_Centres_for_Science__Technology_and_Innovation_(SHOK)/360/Strategic_Centres_for_Science__Technology_and_Innovation_
(SHOK)/1296).
million per annum, depending on the subject area and
activities.
• The centres must be based on applications that are vital
with regard to the future of the field in question. Application-based
approach means that the RDI activities of
each centre are based on a combination of a variety of
competences. The important role of innovation activities
also presumes that the centres are supplemented by
operational environments, where new applications and
ideas can be piloted and tested in circumstances that are
as real as possible.
• The core competence for the centres must be found in
Finland. All centres must have the potential to be among
the best in the world. The centres must be internationally
credible and renowned, and they must be able to attract
the best experts and enterprises in the field throughout
the world. Therefore, they must be globally networked
and co-operate actively in the international framework.
• The centres are based on the strong commitment of the
key enterprises, universities, research institutes, financiers
and ministries in the respective subject areas. Their
operations and funding are long-term by nature. This
facilitates the centres to maintain their competitive edge.
The centres and parties involved must have a clear,
shared and goal-oriented vision and a focused strategy.
2.5.2.2 Operation of the Strategic Centres for Science,
Technology and Innovation
Each Strategic Centre has a multidisciplinary outlook and
involves different sectors industry and society. Research and
its commercialization through new technologies and innovations
are at the core of the centre’s work that is guided by a
centre-specific research program. Through their research programs,
which are jointly developed by the stakeholders of the
centres, the centres are expected to generate sufficient critical
mass and combine versatile competences for achieving
world-class expertise and global breakthroughs. They should
facilitate long term strategic research and contribute to
speeding up of the innovation process. Research carried out
by the centres is strategic, pre-commercial and as a rule not
associated with short-term market goals. The research aims to
meet the needs of Finnish industry and society within a fiveto-ten-year
period.
The activities of a centre are coordinated by a non-profit limited
company that is jointly owned by the stakeholders of
the centre including relevant companies, universities and research
institutes. In addition each centre hosts also a virtual
research organization. Centres provide a permanent cooperation
and interaction forum for companies and research
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