1st Press Release – Supporting European Research&Innovation through stakeholder collaboration and institutional reform

July, 31^th, 2024, Zagreb, Croatia

The INITIATE project started in February 2024 and it aims to empower higher education institutions to develop research and innovation (R&I) through institutional transformation. By fostering cooperation and knowledge circulation, INITIATE seeks to enhance scientific excellence and knowledge valorisation in Europe’s universities. The project will implement a co-design approach with stakeholders, supported by online tools such as the Knowledge Hub, to address current institutional needs, policy barriers, and best practices, resulting in policy recommendations and joint funding applications. Demonstrated in Croatia, Portugal, and North Macedonia, INITIATE will create a roadmap for long-term R&I development and form an Alliance for green energy transition to ensure sustainability.

INITIATE has already garnered significant support, engaging a substantial number of stakeholders who are essential to the project’s success. This collective effort will showcase genuine collaboration between project partners and stakeholders, further aiding policymakers in developing sustainable, interconnected policies aimed at boosting competitiveness in energy transition and higher education missions. INITIATE has also started creating Knowledge Base aimed at better understanding existing policies, and the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the green transition. This Knowledge Base will be utilized not only by all pilot projects (Zagreb, Lisbon, Skopje) but also by other stakeholders reached through the consortium’s efforts , including the Stakeholder Community identified and integrated into the project. Knowledge Base will continuously be updated with relevant information.

In order to approach the complex issues of transformation of higher education institutions for the development of R&I (in particular digitalization, climate change and energy transition issues) from various perspectives, redefine them, and derive the solutions based on a new understanding, INITIATE draws from a number of disciplines, including Climate Science and Impacts, Digitalization and AI, Integrated Assessment Modelling, Social Science and Humanities, and Climate Policy. This will strongly support the interdisciplinarity of INITIATE approach. The continuous collaboration with stakeholders and end users, which will guarantee that solutions satisfy their demands and fill the gap between the scientific community, decision makers and local ecosystems, further strengthens this

interdisciplinary approach. In order to do this, the INITIATE consortium is established with a focus on a good coverage of the various skills, competences, and knowledge required.

Participatory workshops will help identify relevant stakeholders and their needs that will later be included through piloting actions. We have already successfully organized pilot workshop sin Zagreb, Lisbon and Skopje as well as gathered a lot of necessary knowledge through them.

The first local workshop in Zagreb aimed to explore cooperation opportunities between the faculty and various partners. The event focused on presenting the INITIATE project and gathering insights on potential collaborations. A key component was the practical engagement of students, who had the opportunity to discuss internship opportunities and career prospects with prospective employers. The workshop successfully facilitated connections between students and industry partners, fostering valuable discussions on enhancing student experiences and partnerships.

In Lisbon, ISCTE held the Data & Analytics on the Green and Digital Transition workshop. The event aimed to address the challenges of green transition and digitalization in Portugal and explore how Data Analytics Research & Innovation centers can support these processes. The workshop, which brought together 20 experts from academia, associations, and business, highlighted the importance of academic partnerships in advancing these transitions. Key results included actionable insights on leveraging Data Analytics for sustainability and digital transformation, and recommendations for enhancing collaboration between research centers and industry.

In Skopje, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies (FEEIT) hosted a  workshop focused on enhancing collaboration between industry and higher education. The event, part of the INITIATE project, gathered industry representatives to discuss improving student preparedness for the workforce. Key outcomes included identifying areas for deeper cooperation and exploring ways to better align academic programs with industry needs. The workshop emphasized the importance of practical engagement and resource sharing to support students’ transition into the job market.

The INITIATE project is coordinated by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture at the University of Zagreb (UNIZAG FSB). Founded in 1919, UNIZAG FSB stands as a prominent institution within the Republic of Croatia, renowned for its advancements in scientific research, educational skills, and expertise across various domains including mechanical engineering, naval architecture, aeronautical engineering, energy and emerging fields like mechatronics and robotics.

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