Université Côte d'Azur's ODD 9

SDG 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and encourage innovation. In other words, it's about creating a world where infrastructure is strong and sustainable, industry respects the environment, and innovation is at the heart of development. This goal recognizes the importance of investing in quality infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and power grids, to stimulate economic growth and improve people's quality of life. It also stresses the need to promote industrialization that creates decent jobs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes the efficient use of resources. Finally, SDG 9 encourages research and development to stimulate innovation and find solutions to global challenges such as climate change.

SDG 9, "Industry, innovation and infrastructure", is a major challenge for sustainable development and for the Université Côte d'Azur. At the heart of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, this objective aims to build a resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and encourage innovation.

Université Côte d'Azur plays a key role in the Côte d'Azur region, which is rich in innovation ecosystems and technology companies. Through its numerous research laboratories, engineering schools and partnerships with the socio-economic world, it actively contributes to achieving this objective.

The university's researchers are at the forefront of innovation in fields as varied as advanced materials, renewable energies, marine sciences and information and communication technologies. Their work has a direct impact on the development of new, more sustainable and competitive industries.

Innovation Program: The Université Côte d'Azur, through its Initiative d'Excellence, has set up six Innovation Programs, including calls for projects to promote public-private collaborative R&D. The main objective is to support the co-development of technologies between academic laboratories and innovative companies, with funding of up to €100k. The program aims to encourage the creation of start-ups in the DeepTech sector, and offers support to project leaders, including training in competitive positioning and financing strategy. Winners can also benefit from support in applying for prestigious European programs. Start-ups such as BIO3R and CellEmax are examples of the university's commitment to innovation and technology transfer.

UniCA Entreprendre: Created in 2021 UniCA Entreprendre is Université Côte d'Azur's center for entrepreneurship education, awareness and support. A center of expertise and resources with the PEPITE - Pôles Etudiants Pour l'Innovation, le Transfert et l'Entrepreneuriat - label, UniCA Entreprendre federates all the existing programs at the University.federates all existing programs at the university and in the local ecosystem for the benefit of students, doctoral students, researchers and alumni. The center focuses on 4 key areas: awareness-raising, support, training and internationalization. UniCA Entreprendre is also, and above all, a community of committed entrepreneurs, inspiring events, support programs for all and coworking spaces throughout the Côte d'Azur. In 2023-2024, more than 180 students benefited from the National Student-Entrepreneur Status and more than 200 students took an entrepreneurship training course run directly by UniCA Entreprendre.