Dr Vangelis Kontaxakis, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at Keele University Greece, participated in the 3rd Round Table on Business Practice, Research and Education, held on 5-6 May 2026 at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) in Germany. The international event brought together representatives from universities, research organisations and businesses from more than 10 countries, focusing on the strategic importance of applied business education and research as key drivers of innovation, growth and social impact.
The 3rd Round Table highlighted the growing importance of applied research and practice-oriented education in shaping the future of higher education. Discussions demonstrated that universities are increasingly called upon to bridge theory and practice, connect research with industry and create knowledge with tangible social value. Particular emphasis was placed on successful collaboration models involving international organisations and companies such as Audi, MediaMarkt/Saturn and Airbus, as well as on European research partnerships and applied research frameworks.
Keele University Greece’s participation in the event strengthened its international presence and created significant opportunities for collaboration with academic and research institutions across Europe. At the same time, the discussions provided valuable insights for the further development of a modern research and innovation strategy focused on interdisciplinarity, industry engagement, employability enhancement and meaningful social and business impact.
During the Round Table, special attention was given to the role of applied research as a catalyst for innovation and societal impact, as well as to the importance of effective university-industry collaboration. The discussions highlighted contemporary models of cooperation with international organisations and businesses, the growing role of data-driven research approaches and artificial intelligence technologies, and innovative pedagogical practices that promote experiential learning and stronger connections between higher education and the labour market.
In parallel, participants explored opportunities for the development of joint European research initiatives and applied research networks aimed at strengthening international cooperation and fostering innovation in higher education.