Firstly, the higher education institutions can contribute more to the role that culture and tourism play in the socioeconomic development of the region in order to develop the region into an attractive place to live, work, invest and study. Secondly, the higher education institutions need to address the unbalanced growth and challenges linked to health and social cohesion. Thirdly, the higher education institutions need to respond more actively to environmental challenges and opportunities, seeking new sources of growth in the green economy. Are there gaps in delivery and are resources and incentives aligned with the objectives? Increasing life expectancy has led to a growing share of the population at risk of “old-age conditions”. There are also concerns related to health inequalities while certain demographic and socio-economic groups face significantly poorer health circumstances (OECD, 2010a, WHO, 2008).