

TALLHEDA
TRANSFORMING ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE
WITH SUCCESSFUL ALLIANCES OF HIGHER
EDUCATION IN DIGITAL AGRICULTURE
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Widening countries lag behind the European average in Research & Innovation investment and scientific excellence; the domain of Digital Agriculture (DA) is one prominent example. Higher Education Institutes(HEIs) of Widening countries, like Greece and Serbia, can play a central role in addressing this issue, but need support for achieving excellence in research and education in the DA domain. HEIs in Belgium have gained significant experience by establishing an ecosystem that fosters close collaboration among HEIs, competence centers, Digital Innovation Hubs, and industry, leveraging advanced digital technologies for the benefit of citizens, business, and scientific advancement.
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In this light, TALLHEDA will build a new long-term Alliance for DA between agricultural HEIs from Widening countries with leading non-widening agricultural universities, and local and international stakeholders. TALLHEDA Alliance will contribute to raising the critical mass of highly skilled scientists and to establishing liaisons with surrounding ecosystems, in order to foster the Quadruple Helix of innovation in Widening countries. The path to excellence will be paved with a portfolio of multi-actor, inter-sector and international complementary actions to support students, early-stage and experienced researchers, and academic staff of the Widening HEIs.
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This will be achieved through collaboration, complementary top-level expertise of all partners, access to cutting-edge infrastructure, staff mobility, and joint educational and research activities. The partners have an established scientific reputation in DA and are committed to making TALLHEDA a success. In the long term, Widening HEIs will be one step closer to reforming their institutions in terms of content and quality of educational courses, pedagogical and management practices, and research and innovation capacity, raising the critical mass of highly skilled scientists needed for digital transition in agriculture across Europe.
Project Specific Objectives (SO)

SO1
To set-up sustainable, innovation-driven ecosystems in Widening countries

SO2
To achieve a balanced circulation of talents

SO3
To build transnational research bridges

SO4
To mainstream practices and tools for open sharing of knowledge and data

SO5
To strengthen careers of researchers from Widening HEIs

SO6
To bridge Widening HEIs to local surrounding ecosystems

SO7
To ensure long-term sustainability of the project’s results

SO8
To deliver a well-managed project to the Commission and all project stakeholders

Expected impacts

Increased science and innovation capacity for all actors in the R&I system in Widening countries

Structural changes leading to modernised and more competitive R&I systems in eligible countries

Reformed R&I systems and institutions leading to increased attractiveness and retention of research talents

Mobilisation of national and EU resources for strategic investments

Higher participation success in Horizon Europe and more consortium leadership roles

Stronger links between academia and business and improved career permeability

Strengthened role of the Higher Education sector in research and innovation

Greater involvement of regional actors in the R&I process

Improved outreach to international level for all actors