Researchers

Ahmad Alaassar (RMIT EU)

Ahmad Alaassar
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Ahmad Alaassar
RMIT EU

Seconded from RMIT EU, Barcelona to INESC TEC (Porto) and the University of Vaasa (Finland)

2 months, Winter 2022 & 3 months, Spring 2022

Ahmad Alaassar is a Postdoctoral Fellow at RMIT Europe, Barcelona. His research interests lie at the intersection between the innovation and entrepreneurship fields. Dr. Alaassar has a double degree PhD in Management from RMIT University and the University of Agder. Ahmad’s publications have been featured in top-tier journals like Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change and Small Business Economics. He has international teaching and course coordination experience at undergrad and postgrad levels.

He was seconded to INESC TEC (Porto) for two months at the beginning of 2022, and here he shares his experience with us:

  • Why did you decide to go on a secondment?

For both research and networking purposes. On the research side, I was working on three projects in parallel, two of which were empirical and in the context of CleanTech. Hence, I was interested in collecting data from local industry and research partners. As for networking, I needed it both to collect data but also to explore new collaboration opportunities, learn about industry challenges and needs, and establish long-lasting ties that could one day lead to fruitful outcomes.

  • What are the main research topics that you worked on during your secondment?

Two main topics were university-industry collaboration and coopetition in the CleanTech context.

  • Why did you decide to visit INESC TEC?

This was primarily due to the conducted research activities on CleanTech at the centre of Power & Energy Systems, which could benefit my empirical data collection. Other reasons included general interest in experiencing the dynamics of the multidisciplinary environment and its influence on creating more competitive research, at INESC TEC.

  • What was the most valuable thing you took from your secondment?

This is difficult, I have a few things. First, going on a field visit to one of the CleanTech SMEs was extremely exciting and valuable as I got to see how parts of the daily operations were conducted, see their product offerings and hear about their experiences with university-industry collaboration. Second, being invited to a research seminar organised at the University of Porto, where I presented my research and had a networking session thereafter, was a great opportunity to showcase current and future projects as well as establish a network, beyond the one I had already access to at INESCTEC. Third, and perhaps the most valuable of all, are the helpful connections that have facilitated introductions, which without, none of the above would come into existence.

  • Why would you recommend anyone to go on secondment? 

From my point of view, secondments offer endless benefits in terms of research progress, networking opportunities, career development, global exposure, and so on. So, why not try it?

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