Page 120 - A Handbook for Academia, Industry and Policymakers: Reinforcing the Innovation-Employability Nexus in the Mediterranean

120 REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 121

cards, which are difficult to obtain in certain parts of the region. In
many countries in Africa, digital innovation has improved access to 4TH INDUSTRIAL
financial tools through digital means effectively sidestepping the REVOLUTION
era of desktop computers and landlines .
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Digital innovation is related to the 4th Industrial Revolution The Fourth Industrial Revolution
represents a fundamental change
Digital Innovation for which refers to the convergence of digital, biological, and physical in the way we live, work and relate
innovations that will result in disruptive changes. These disruptions
Employability can be positive, leading to an empowering, collaborative, and to one another. It is a new chapter
in human development, enabled by
sustainable social and economic environment if the underlying extraordinary technology advances
changes that cause them are based on shared values of the commensurate with those of the
common good, human dignity, and intergenerational stewardship. first, second and third industrial
Since innovation is a creative process, it involves not only digital revolutions. It refers to the
skills but also human skills such as originality and initiative, critical convergence of digital, biological,
thinking and analysis, leadership and emotional intelligence. Digital and physical innovations that will
New technology and innovative applications are changing the way innovation and the 4th Industrial Revolution therefore represent a result in disruptive changes. These
higher education institutions (HEIs) and research centres engage multidimensional challenge with not only economic but also social disruptions can be positive, leading
to an empowering, collaborative and
with their students, partners, and stakeholders such as education opportunities such as: sustainable social and economic
environment if the underlying
ministries. Digital innovation affects academia from all sides: from • Inclusive and human-centred solutions changes that cause them are based
the way they deliver education to the course content, ensuring • Sustainable economies on shared values of the common good,
• Adapted and modernised governance models
that their graduates have the skills required to contribute in an • Reduced material and social inequalities human dignity, and intergenerational
stewardship117.
increasingly digital working world. Universities need to invest • Commitment to values-based leadership of emerging
in the talent and infrastructure to support these developments, technologies
such as academic staff with expertise in learning systems, digital The digital divide and reinvention

learning spaces and platforms to streamline e-learning, and
administrative processes. Remote learning has been steadily Moving online can potentially increase access to HE since it
eliminates a number of logistic hurdles for gaining physical access
growing, and due to the global pandemic, the pace has jumped to the classroom. However, for students from lower-income
ahead, moving towards optional or entirely remote learning. This backgrounds, it can counterintuitively increase the digital divide,

move depends upon technology and to ensure that the technology as access to the internet and ownership of a personal computer
are prerequisites for remote learning. During the COVID-19 crisis
is used effectively, educators need to play a major role in shaping this weakness in the remote learning strategy was highlighted, as
this shift. Essentially, digital innovation applies the Triple Helix students with no internet connection were unable to follow their
framework, with particular emphases on the role of HEIs as the classes that suddenly required internet to attend.

source of new knowledge and technology. The access issue for remote learning exists in all countries and
is usually more pronounced in rural areas. However, the move
to digital can also level the playing field since certain barriers to
entry are lowered. The Mediterranean region has had its share of
success stories, mainly: the creation of start-ups, entrepreneur
Background and context not digitisation nor digital transformation which mentorship, and partnership with the private sector109. Tunisia’s
involve the ongoing process of moving into digital Start-up Act in 2018, is an excellent example of applying the Triple
Technology spans all sectors, all types and all frameworks. Instead, digital innovation is the Helix of academic, industry and government partners to introduce
sizes of organisations. Whether it is for work creative process or the break from a traditional an innovative framework that offers advantages and incentives to
or personal use, digital technology is part of model, just as the pre-digital version of innovation entrepreneurs, investors and start-ups (see Chapter 9: Knowledge
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every aspect of daily life. It is so pervasive that has always been . Nonetheless digital innovation Exchange). The Mediterranean also has an increasing number
it has re-defined innovation itself – how many can result in enhancing or transforming existing of ‘smart rural areas’ where good governance is combined
innovative ideas use digital technology? Being model. Good examples of digital innovation could with local initiatives through regional and national public
innovative today – improving methods, enhancing be AirBnB and Uber that completely overturned policies, corporate social responsibilities, inclusive investment
experiences and improving efficiency – usually the way things work in their respective markets, and synergies between research, development needs and value
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involves digital technology. Digital innovation is although these examples rely on credit or debit creators within these territories .