Abstract

In a context of knowledge-based economies, a key factor for regional development are the new institutional arrangements that allow the interaction of virtuous channels, between private actors (industry), government and universities. These interactions can be considered in themselves as a social innovation if they are framed in models such as the Triple helix of innovation. This model tends to generate a climate and attitudes that allow coordination between industry, government and academia to create an environment of innovation that allows the development of emerging companies. In this context, the role of the Academy faces new challenges to its traditional role of generating knowledge and training, developing a more effective role of transmission and collection of innovation opportunities for the private sector, but it is also a link between the government and private companies. The Vegetable Extension Center of the University of Chile, represents an example of implementation of this model, where in its two years of operation has positioned itself as a linker and facilitator among the actors of the plant industry of the Central Valley of Chile, for its part. On the other hand, it has developed an extension methodology that allows the knowledge generated by the research centers to be carried out in an applied manner to respond to productive needs. The lessons learned are related to the need to promote applied research, reinforce a spirit of collaborative work among different agents and the need to include topics related to rural extension in professional training.