Brussels, 17/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, has congratulated the chief executives of the three hubs at the heart of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) following the signing of seven-year partnership agreements with the Commission. The hubs, known as “knowledge and innovation communities” (KICs), focus on sustainable energy (InnoEnergy KIC), climate change (Climate KIC) and information and communication society (EIT ICTLabs). The agreements, which include a one-year grant of up to €10 million for each KIC, mean the Institute can start rolling out educational programmes with EIT-labelled Master's and PhD degrees and research projects. “The KICs have the potential to become powerful motors of innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe”, said Commissioner Vassiliou. The EIT is organising a stakeholder conference in Budapest on 14 April and the Commission will adopt a “strategic innovation agenda” for the EIT by the end of this year. (I.L./transl.fl)