The online international conference Week of Innovative Regions in Europe, WIRE 2020, was officially opened at the Faculty of Economics, University of Split, for the first time in Croatia when it is presiding the EU Council in 2020.
Due to specific circumstances of the COVID 19 pandemic, this year's 11th edition of the WIRE conference, organized with the support of the European Commission, the Directorate General for Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Science and Education, Split-Dalmatia County and the City of Split, is being held with a delay and online.
Despite of that, almost 700 domestic and foreign participants are taking part in the conference, which will host numerous lectures and discussions by top European experts in science and practical work, having to do with research results, innovation and regional development.
Welcoming speeches at the opening, which was an opportunity for video promotion of Split-Dalmatia County and Split as the host city, were given by the Minister of Science and Education, Prof. Radovan Fuchs PhD, Head of the Research and Innovation Directorate General of the European Commission Jean-Eric Paquet, head of the Split-Dalmatia County Blaženko Boban, Split’s Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara and the meeting hosts, University of Split Rector, prof. Dragan Ljutić PhD and the Faculty of Economics Dean, prof. Maja Ferdotović PhD.
Minister Fuchs expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the conference is even taking place despite all challenges and stressed the importance of innovations in general, particularly in the context of current circumstances, recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. He stressed the role of institutional activities, financing and promoting technological creativity as inseparable from social and economic development. Exchanging experiences, strengthening and promoting innovations, especially among the young, is extremely important and this conference contributes to that - said the Minister.
It is a great pleasure to greet all participating in this prestigious conference and I am proud that it is even being organized by our Faculty of Economics. I hope that you will have the opportunity to visit our city and get acquainted with our way of life as well as rich cultural and historical heritage - said Rector Ljutić in the introduction. In his speech, he emphasized the role of the University of Split, one of top thousand ranked universities in the world, as an active contributor to connecting knowledge and social development. Apart from good placement, thanks to scientific and teaching excellence, our University ranks 15th on scales measuring success of connecting higher education institutions with society. There are several ways in which we help our local community and contribute to its development. Firstly, we are recognized as a university city, and the fact that other reputable universities in the Mediterranean recognized that and invited us to join the European University of the Sea alliance only contributes to that. This enables our students, professors and staff to exchange experiences and knowledge with colleagues from those universities. Secondly, our University uses a dual approach in education, meaning that classes consist of theoretical and practical part. More than 300 companies and institutions connected with our University as university-industry cooperations are involved in such a process - said Rector Ljutić, adding that the University, at the initiative of the Head of County Blaženko Boban, spread its study programs within the County, Hotel and Gastronomy Management in Makarska and the study of Mediterranean agriculture in Sinj. Dean Fredotović emphasized the importance of knowledge, cooperation and accepting challenges, as well as the role of higher education institutions, such as EFST, as platforms that enable sharing knowledge, experience of good practices and connect all stakeholders influencing the successful development of local and regional communities. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director General of the European Commission's Research and Innovation Directorate, commented on financing science and innovation in Europe, as well as their importance for recovery from the current global crisis. The Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Blaženko Boban, welcomed the participants and pointed out the County’s efforts in implementing and preparing for European projects that support innovation and knowledge of young innovators in this area.
-Investing in knowledge means investing in future innovators, drivers of development. Creativity, knowledge and innovation are fundamental drivers of Croatian and European progress. Benefits from technological progress must be reflected and integrated into all spheres of our society - said Mayor Krstulović Opara, also saying that in this sense Split makes significant investments in knowledge and youth in Croatia, providing most scholarships for students and athletes, financially supporting their experience and education abroad, implementing the study program Erasmus+.
Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) is the main forum for European policies related to innovation and regional development. This annual international conference serves as a platform for policy makers, public bodies, centres of knowledge and businesses, where they can discuss research and innovation (R&I), challenges and opportunities in European regions, with a direct overview of current and future EU funding programs. The conference is also open to the interested public.