Born in Cambodia, Richard Yim (the founder of Demine Robotics) spent the first 13 years of his life being cautioned, as all Cambodian children are, about where he could and could not play, and seeing on every street people who were maimed to one degree or another. Cambodia has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most heavily land-mined countries in the world – with an estimated 4 to 6 million land mines in the country.
Worldwide, land mines are a significant issue. The United Nations estimates that there are 4,000 to 6,000 landmine related deaths each year. Land mines also have an economic effect on mined countries – in Cambodia, for instance, fertile land cannot be farmed due to the presence of land mines.
Demine Robotics has developed and patented a new method of removing landmines using robotics technology. The founders, Richard Yim and Christian Lee studied Engineering at the University of Waterloo in Canada where they launched the startup as part of the Accelerator Program.
We interviewed Cristina Beans and Victor Climent from University of Alicante on her thoughts on SEASIN project and the role of Higher Education Institutions in the society.
1)In your perspective, what kind of role should universities (HEIs) play in the society? What is HEI’s role supporting social innovation?
In addition to producing and sharing science, knowledge and technology; universities have a fundamental role to play as a link between the products that are the result of their academic and research activities, and society in its ensemble.
The systematic transfer of scientific production to society and the production sector, is a relatively recent action in the ensemble of the University system. Nevertheless, it is currently inconceivable that a modern higher education institution would dispense with advanced programs for transfer and application of knowledge in all areas of society and industry.
This transfer task is contextualized in a society where knowledge is a differential element which is central to the processes of change and development. This context requires that knowledge producers have a role not only as generators, but also appliers and distributers of knowledge in order to contribute to the support of social and technological needs.
Therefore, Social Innovation as a differentiated process within Innovation, is also a significant element in the educational and research role of higher education institutions. And although it is possible to indirectly determine the social benefit of technological developments, it is important to highlight that the social motivation for innovation is a specific characteristic of change and progress that deserves its own consideration.
Social innovation can come hand in hand with technological innovation, or often enough can be the result of the transformation of a social process independent from technology.
Higher education institutions must therefore undertake a priority role in the promotion and development of social innovation actions and programs, as this is not only an opportunity to strengthen their role in society, but also to contribute with a truly outstanding process for change closely connected with its source material.
2)What does social innovation look like in your country? What is it’s potential?
Currently social innovation is only a concept in the process of being implemented, both in higher education institutions as well as in other fields of actions of public policies.
An example to mention would be the creation of a Vice-rectorate for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the University of Malaga, or specific social innovation programs in vice-rectorates of other universities with competences in entrepreneurship, employment and research.
Nevertheless, its implementation is not generalized, and as is frequently the case with novel multi-disciplinary programs, its management isn’t linked specifically to any specific department or governing body.
Social innovation programs definitely lack a position or role that, on the other hand, would not be beneficial in these first stages of development and implementation.
3)What do you hope to achieve out of SEASIN project?
SEASIN is an opportunity for multi-directional sharing with all the partners of the consortium, on experiences relative to the launching of social innovation programs.
Furthermore, once the period of activities financed by the ERASMUS+ program has ended, there will remain an international network with a very valuable know how to continue collaborating and developing concepts and innovation programs.
4)How can we collaborate better across the region?
By sharing experiences from the UA and general Spanish context.
Debating the experiences of all the partners.
Actively contributing to the development of new concepts derived from the program itself through “learning by doing” in which there will be a collective participation.
5)What are you most excited about for this project?
The Social Innovation Support Units (SISUs) are the most visible result of the project and therefore their creation is the objective most looked forward to.
Find out more about the work of University of Alicante’s international work here.
We talked with our partners at Kasetsart University about the role of Higher Education Institutions in the society and the understanding of social innovation in Thailand.
1. In your perspective, what kind of role should universities (HEIs) play in the society? What is HEI’s role supporting social innovation?
The role the universities should play in the society involves building up the professional and other related knowledge for the graduates empowering them to positively fulfil their careers and other responsibilities in the society, researching in order to give innovative answer to problems in society and to strengthening the body of knowledge, and conducting academic services in order to share knowledge and knowhow with the community and society.
HEI’s role in supporting social innovation are:
Teaching aspect: Social innovation should be integrated in various subjects under the universities’ curricula. Both in the courses and in other extra curricula activities, students should be encouraged to engage in problem- and community- based activities leading up to the understanding of societal problems and the effort to offer new innovation to manage or lesson such problems
Research and academic services aspects: Some of the research results and academic services conducting by the universities’ staff and/or students are geared to answer societal problems in an innovative manner. In Kasetsart University case, we can see, for instance, a team of lecturers of Faculty of Engineering solved the problem of bad smell on the pig farm by turning the rotten gas into cooking gas. Another team of Faculty of Humanities created an English practicing program widening up English skill improvement possibilities for the public. Moreover, universities themselves can also encourage their staff’s researches and academic services in the direction of creating social innovation through the universities research and academic service policy and funding. In the case of Kasersart University, we can see, for instance, Faculty of Social Science distributes the faculty research fund under the main theme of social innovation.
2. What does social innovation look like in your country? What is it’s potential?
Social innovation projects in Thailand can be classified into 3 types according to different types of organizations that operate them.
Social innovation projects operated by private sector or social entrepreneur. Social enterprises have gained more and more popularity in Thailand. A large number of social innovation cases operated by social enterprises in Thailand have increased income and job opportunities of local people in different parts of the country. These include, for instance, social enterprises producing homemade, low-calorie ice cream, whose employees are mainly the disadvantaged.
Social innovations run by NGOs and/or governmental development agencies. Social innovation projects of this type mostly involve with development of a ground breaking way to manage and/or lessen social problems of the involving organizations’ interest. The examples of this type of social innovation include, for instance, the management of building for the disadvantaged in urban area based on land-sharing concept instead of governmental housing concept, and the project involving with finding a new method for a balance time allocation for the modern breast-feeding, working mom.
Social innovation projects managed by higher education institutes’ staff. Social innovation of this type stems mostly from personal interest and academic expertise of lecturers and students. Some examples include Kasetsart University Faculty of Architecture project of special room design for the elderly in nursing home, and Kasetsart University Faculty of Social Science project of biomass to energy and biochar production.
3. What do you hope to achieve out of SEASIN project?
It is quite clear that when SEASIN project ends, there will be solid results including operating SISUs in various higher education institutions, series of international conferences on social innovation in Southeast Asia, and a text book on the subject. However, what we think could be of even more important is that the project helps laying a foundation for closer cooperation between a group of higher education institutions in Southeast Asia and Europe, whose main interest and work involve with promoting social innovation in their surrounding community and society at large. With the way the project operates, it also encourages the establishment of closer network between each of the participating higher education institutions of the project and various partners in their surrounding community and society working in the same direction. Therefore, it is hoped that such cooperation and network will be deepened and widened in the future, based on which not only more and more social innovation in Southeast Asia will be promoted but also a steady development of the body of knowledge on the subject.
4. How can we collaborate better across the region?
We should strengthen and expand our network and cooperation founding with this project. Apart from continuous International Conference on Social Innovation in Southeast Asia, for instance, we should promote an international conference that links academia and practitioners interesting on social innovation from different regions of the world to continuously meet and share their knowledge and experiences. Continuous co-researching and co-writing of academic papers between partner universities in the project can also be another example of the way we can collaborate better across the region.
5. What are you most excited about for this project?
We feel that the project touches upon a great subject in terms of both academic and social reasons. We are also excited with a great energy of each participating partners in SEASIN project and our partners in the Thai society. And we hope for an ever closer cooperation between all the existing partners and the new comers in the future.
We interviewed Teresa Franqueira, Director, ID+ DESIS Lab @University of Aveiro about her thoughts on the role of universities in enabling social innovation.
1) In your perspective, what kind of role should universities (HEIs) play in the society? What is HEI’s role supporting social innovation?
Universities should work FOR and WITH society. The knowledge produced, the technology developed and the research must be useful for society. The higher education institution’s (HEI) role in supporting social innovation comes from the policy strategies defined by HEI with government and, in particular, with local governments.
Image from ID+ DESIS Lab
2) What does social innovation look like in your country? What is it’s potential?
Social Innovation is quickly developing in the fields of economics, social sciences and design. In Portugal, it’s quite related and associated with volunteering and social services provided by charity institutions, with a strong role in the Catholic church. However, there is also a boom with start-ups related with social innovation businesses and enterprises. The potential is enormous due to the European financial crisis with the weakening of the traditional welfare state and the need to find new solutions for the social problems arising from this new reality.
3) What do you hope to achieve out of SEASIN project?
The University of Aveiro (UA) is hoping to strengthen its networks and relationships with a global group of HEI and institutions specialists in the field of social innovation. Moreover, UA is expecting to create new knowledge to increase the teaching and researching in Social Innovation.
4) What are you most excited about for this project?
The exchange of experience and knowledge in a culturally diverse group.
Find out more about the work of ID+ DESIS Lab here.
What is Impact Connect? Impact Connect is a regional programme of the Southeast Asian Social Innovation Network (SEASIN) designed to help develop the capacity of social innovators in South East Asia and connect them to leading universities and global changemakers. As part of the programme selected participants will have the opportunity to participate in the Social Innovation Studios aimed at students and early-stage innovators in 4 countries (Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand) in early 2018.
What are the Social Innovation Studios? The Social Innovation Studios are workshops that have been designed to bring together social innovation practitioners who are connected to the universities to develop their understanding of social innovation and facilitate knowledge transfer to better understand the existing patterns and emerging trends in the social innovation ecosystem.
How are the Social Innovation Studios different from other work- shops/ programmes on Social Innovation? This unique programme allows participants to connect with different stakeholders in the social innovation ecosystem at the local and international level. Through hands-on training and experiential learning, these diverse studios will help to show- case the best practices in social innovation, both locally and internationally, and help participants to understand existing resources, challenges and policy-level gaps in implementing social innovation projects in the country.
What’s in it for me?
• The chance to develop your ideas and projects
• To learn about the best social innovation practices and methods from international experts
• Hands-on exercises to implement your ideas
• International recognition of your participation and achievements
• Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration
• A connection into a regional and global network of social innovators
• A certificate of participation from the organisers
How do you select the participants to the Social Innovation Studios?
The participants to the Social Innovation Studios are selected through the Impact Connect selection process. Students/ social innovators from the participating countries (Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand) can submit their application online. Submissions are then judged by a distinguished panel of judges.
What are the criteria on which the applications will be evaluated? The applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Motivation and commitment to social innovation and passion for social change
• Interest in sharing ideas and working in a collaborative environment
• Passion for community engagement and interest in cross-sector collaborations
• Volunteering/work experience in social innovation or the social sector (Desired)
Do I need to have an incorporated business or started a social enterprise/venture to participate in the Social Innovation Studios? No, you are not required to have an incorporated business or have started a social enterprise/ venture. Anyone with an idea or a potential project plan can apply.
How many participants are able to attend? In total 20 participants will be shortlisted for each Social Innovation Studio.
For how many days will be the Social Innovation Studios be conducted? Every Social Innovation Studio will be conducted over two-days. It is mandatory for every participant to attend all the sessions on both the days.
When will the Social Innovation Studios be held? The Social Innovation Studios will be held in March-April 2018.
We will be in the following locations on these dates:
19-20 March – Yangon, Myanmar
22-23 March – Bangkok, Thailand
9-10 April – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
12-13 April – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The exact venue of the Studios will be announced end of February.
Is there an application fee to participate in the Social Innovation Studios? No, there is no application fee to participate in the Social Innovation Studios.
How will I know if I have been selected as one of the participants? Shortlisted participants will be notified by email on 28 February 2018. Announcements will also be made on our website and on our Facebook page.
Will I receive a certificate at the end of the studios?
Yes, every participant who has successfully participated in the studios on both the days will be awarded a certificate of participation at the end of the studio.
Will the organiser cover my travel costs for the Social Innovation Workshops? We will not reimburse you for any travel expenses, meals or other expenses incurred in relation to the Social Innovation Studios.
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