On December 11, 2018, beginning at 8:45 pm, the conference “Thematic Innovation Councils – the missing link” was held at the National Hall of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Opatička 18, Zagreb.
The aim of the conference was to present the activities of the establishment of an efficient innovation system of the Republic of Croatia through the establishment of Thematic Innovation Councils with the emphasis on linking the business sector with the scientific research community to achieve the synergy effect needed to improve the national innovation system.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, within the framework of the “Strategic Project for support of establishment of Innovation Network for Industry and Thematic Innovation platforms (Project INI)” conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Crafts in partnership with the Croatian Chamber of Economy. The project is co-financed with grants from European Structural and Investment Funds under the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020.
The main purpose of the project is to create an efficient and self-sustainable support framework and encourage private sector investment in research, development, and innovation as well as raise awareness of the importance of research, development, and innovation for the growth and development of the Croatian economy based on knowledge and excellence.
The audience was addressed by Mr. Darko Horvat, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Academician Zvonko Kusić, President of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts; Mr. Ivan Barbarić, Vice-President of Croatian Chamber of Economy for International Affairs and EU; Mrs. Danijela Ćenan, MSc., Director of the Sector for Industrial Development and Innovation System of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Mr. Darko Pappo, Member of the Management Board of the DIV Group ltd. and Mr Hardy R. Schmitz, the former chairman and current member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) Advisory Council.
A panel discussion was held on the topic of “How to improve the cooperation of the business and scientific sector?”, Moderated by Mr. Mateo Ivanac from the Croatian Chamber of Economy, attended by Mr. Mario Antonić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts; dr. sc. Tome Antičić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Education and Mr. Mate Rimac, Founder and Director of Rimac Automobili ltd.
Upon completion of the official program, the participants had time for refreshments and networking.
The conference program is available here.