The final conference of the STIM-REI project of the Center of Excellence for Science and Technology – Integration of the Mediterranean Region (STIM) at the University of Split was held on Friday, November 24, at the Faculty of Science.
The conference was opened by prof. Dragan Ljutić, rector of the University of Split, along with the present vice-rectors prof. Igor Jerković and prof. Zoran Đogaš, as well as faculty leaders and project participants.
– Our professor Vlasta Bonačić Koutecky is selflessly passing on her knowledge that she acquired in Berlin at the Humboldt University. Through our Center of Excellence, it fosters an interdisciplinary approach in the field of water, environmental and nanotechnology research. We are really proud of the fact that we have such a person who brings together young researchers in the STEM field – emphasized the rector, saying that projects like this contribute to the development of our university, city, county and country.
Prof. Vlasta Bonačić Koutecky presented the results achieved during implementation and plans for the future, and after that five young scientists: Željko Penga, Krešimir Dželalija, Antonija Mravak, Roberta Frleta Matas, Katarina Kajan presented to the public the results of their research in the field of advanced nanoscale technology and in the field water and environment achieved during the implementation of the project, with the announcement of future plans in these researches.
During the implementation of the project, according to the manager Bonačić Koutecky, more than 20 young researchers (doctoral students and postdoctoral students) were employed in the long term, a total of 65 researchers participated, more than 15 doctoral studies were enrolled and one Joint PhD Thesis Supervision was realized in cooperation with the University in Lyon.
Also, more than 10 international collaborations were achieved through agreements with recognized world universities and institutes, including an agreement with the Humboldt University in Berlin. More than 60 foreign collaborators from all continents participated in the project, more than 100 scientific papers were published, including 10 covers, in high-ranking scientific journals. State-of-the-art research equipment, worth EUR 1.8 million, was acquired, significant cooperation with the economy was achieved, and numerous dissemination activities were carried out.
With the end of the project, the scientific research work at CoE STIM and the career development of young scientists continues, with an emphasis on the further application of research results, innovation management and technology transfer, and the valorization of knowledge through the opportunities offered for research and innovation by the new national Competitiveness and Cohesion Program 2021- 2027 as well as numerous programs of the European Union.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the successful implementation of the STIM-REI project.
