Sustainable development, innovation ecosystems, university and NRRP. The case study “Rome technopole”

Sustainable development, a global imperative, can be pursued through innovation ecosystems. The Innovation Ecosystems are networks that promote collaboration between universities, research bodies, public institutions, and private entities in areas aligned with regional specializations. They aim to enhance research results, technology transfer, and digital transformation while addressing the triple helix model of universityindustry-government collaboration. These ecosystems, driven by collaborative efforts between universities and diverse stakeholders, catalyze sustainable progress. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) encourages sustainable development goals in Italy. This study proposes leveraging innovation ecosystems to achieve sustainable development. It invests in networks that foster collaboration between universities, industries, and governments. The focus is on Rome Technopole, an innovation hub addressing energy transition, digital transformation, and health through seven flagship projects. Using a "Hub&Spoke" governance structure and aligning with the Quintuple Helix Model, Rome Technopole encourages public engagement, entrepreneurship, and innovation, especially among students, contributing to regional development. The research emphasizes universities' pivotal role in these ecosystems, promoting research, technology transfer, and education aligned with sustainability goals. It introduces a model integrating Quality Instruction (SDG4) into a quintuple helix framework. Acknowledging the study's limitation in its early stages, future work involves monitoring the collaborative relationships, roles, and actions proposed and led by the universities.