The Triple Helix

Achieving Success in Regional Transformation

Presented by Michael Harris, Ph.D.Dean and Professor

College of Public Service and Urban AffairsTennessee State University

Presented at World Urban Forum

Urban Equity in Development – Cities for LifeApril 5 - 11, 2014

Sunday, April 6th 15:20 - 16:10

• Questioning economic development, urban sustainability and equality for urban regions– More poverty than ever– Largest gap in financial equality– Lowest access to basic services to vulnerable

communities– Need for economic development and jobs

Challenge: Economic Development, Sustainability and Equality in Urban Areas

• Almost a perfect storm

– From an economy of traditional industrial manufacturing, based on natural resources and labor, to an economy of knowledge driven by innovation and entrepreneurship

– Globalization and competitiveness

• Challenge the status-quo• Maximizing opportunities, not minimizing risks• Higher education institutions as catalyst• Leadership and cross sectional collaboration is

the most crucial element• A need for a new mindset – paradigm shift

How do we advance economic growth, sustainability and equality in Urban Areas?

–Universities, businesses, nonprofits and governments collaborating through a new mindset

– High concentration of knowledge, skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship capacity

– Thinking regionally

Paradigm shift, a new mindset – Triple Helix

The Triple Helix

• The role of universities has evolved from focusing primarily on student success, research, and service, to incorporating ‘stewards of place’ and a source of innovation and development for urban sustainability and equality

• Universities must become the part of leadership by initiating and facilitating the Triple Helix framework

The Triple Helix Goal and Experience

• Using higher education as a catalyst for regional transformation to achieve ongoing urban economic growth, sustainability and equity.

• Experiences and lesson learned from Flint, MI, and Kokomo, IN

Triple Helix - Selected cases of Implementation

• Swedish Biogas project in Flint, Michigan• Chrysler investment in Kokomo, Indiana, city

of the year

Implementation ofTriple Helix

– Bringing together leadership from government, business, non for profit and higher education

– Develop a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurship

– Be intentional in a vision and mission toward development and equity

The Triple Helix Experience

King of Sweden and Provost Michael HarrisKettering University, Swedish Biogas

VP Biden, Chancellor Michael Harris,President Obama

Kokomo, IN

Dr. Joe Berry, Provost Michael Harris and Senator Carl LevinFlint, MI

The Triple Helix Experience

Chancellor Michael Harris, IUK Summit ofMayors of North Central Indiana

Regional Transformation - Kokomo, IN

Provost Michael Harris with Governor Granholm Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Flint, MI

Chancellor Michael Harris with Governor Daniels, INIndiana Automotive Council

• A need for a paradigm shift: - Creating and sustaining a culture of entrepreneurship on campuses - Universities should be intentionally participating and leading in regional transformation

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned• A sustainable Triple Helix needs to

be an on-going venture• The partnership must include

various levels of government• Universities have an additional role

to lead innovation and entrepreneurship both on campus and beyond

• Economic development and sustainability will be achieved if the triple helix is implemented properly

Lessons Learned

• The paradigm shift is primarily a mindset

• Urban equity and economic sustainability is a necessary condition to compete in a global economy and economy of knowledge

• Leadership, intentionality, and communication are key• Using these elements can effectively combat poverty

and inequality in urban regions • Globalizations requires regionalism

Looking Forward

Higher education institutions role as a catalyst for greater equity and

sustained economic development in urban areas across the globe.

Sustained equality and economic growth will require enhanced regionalism and courageous leadership, guided by the Triple

Helix

The future is in abundance

Optimism is true moral courage. - Shackleton

References

Harris, M., & Kinney, R. (2003). Introduction. Innovation and Entrepreneurship in State and Local Governments (pp. 1-32). New York: Lexington Books.

Harris, M., (2012). Higher Education as a Catalyst for Regional Transformation. American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Public Purpose Summer. EndSights.

Harris, M., (2014). Photo stream, Michael Harris, Dean, Chancellor IUK, Provost, Dean, Academic. Flickr.com.

World Urban Forum, Urban Equity in Development---Cities for Life. (2014). WUF7 theme. UN Habitat for a Better Urban Future. unhabitat.org.

Edit and design Alex Frederick and Brenda Collier