Brussels, 24/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - The first seminar on the format of, and selection criteria for, the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) was held on Monday 24 November in Bratislava. The conclusions to be published at the end of this seminar will act as a basis for the work of the governing board, which is expected to publish a call for proposals for the first KICs in spring 2009. The selection of the first two to three KICs is due by the end of January 2010. Dr. Martin Schuurmans, Chairman of the EIT Governing Board, added: “We need to shape them very carefully. It is therefore a top priority for the EIT Governing Board to identify those factors that will make the KICs a success”. Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education and Training, Culture and Youth, said “that this was why he very much welcomed, “the initiative of the EIT Governing Board to actively engage in an exchange of ideas with interested parties.” (I.L./transl.rh)