2023 IVAP Workshop Prague – Day 1 Summary
On May 31 – June 1, 2023 all the representatives of the EIT HEI Initiative financed projects meet in Prague, Czechia in order to discuss crucial challenges and plans for the future. The DISCO project is represented by Dr. Piotr Kopyciński from KUE and Dr. Alexander Werbik from HSLU.
The 2023 IVAP Workshop Prague kicked off with the Plenary session, featuring selected remarks from key stakeholders of the Initiative. Ms. Rosana West, the HEI Initiative Manager from EIT Raw Materials, extended a warm welcome to all participants, setting the stage for the interesting event.
Following Ms. West’s welcome, Ms. Merel Leppens, Policy Officer Innovation and EIT from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DGEAC), shared her valuable insights. Dr. Ruslan Rakhmatullin, Education Officer from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), also delivered remarks, emphasizing the significance of the workshop.
Dr. Dolores Volkert, Head of the HEI Initiative at EIT Raw Materials, took the stage to reflect on the journey of the HEI Initiative so far and provided a glimpse into the future. Her presentation offered valuable perspectives on the accomplishments and future prospects of the Initiative.
Dr. David Oliva Uribe, an expert in Higher Education Policies and Deep Tech, delivered a captivating keynote speech. His talk focused on the role of Deep Tech in the European higher education landscape, shedding light on its potential and the opportunities it presents. The first panel discussion of the workshop, titled “Struggles and successes: Key lessons from Cohort 1 and 2 Projects,” was moderated by Rosanna West. The panelists, including Anmari Viljamaa, Efstratios Stylianidis, Miika Kajanus, and Margot Bucaille, shared their experiences and insights gained from the Cohort 1 and 2 projects. The discussion proved to be informative and provided valuable lessons for the attendees.
The second panel discussion, titled “Deep Tech and the EIT’s HEI Initiative: Perspectives on DTTI,” was moderated by Arno Meerman. The panelists, including Jara Pascual, Annemarie Vant Veen, Fernando Rivas, Maja Brkljačić, and Paul Wilson, engaged in a lively discussion about the intersection of Deep Tech and the EIT’s HEI Initiative. The panel offered diverse perspectives and explored the potential impact of Deep Tech within the Initiative.
The last event of the first day were parallel breakout sessions designed to propel projects to success. Everyone is waiting for the second day of the conference, its summary will also appear on the website.
2023 IVAP Workshop Prague – Day 2 Summary
The second day of the 2023 IVAP Workshop Prague began with the arrival of participants, including Gabriel Loci.
The Plenary session started with a reflection on the key takeaways from Day 1. Representatives from the HEI Initiative presented the main highlights and insights gathered from the previous day’s breakout sessions. This session served as a recap and set the stage for the upcoming activities.
One of the notable events of the day was the Poster Presentation Session. Interactive presentations of posters from both Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 projects, as well as initiative level posters, took place. The projects were reminded to have a representative present at their respective posters for engaging discussions and presentations.
In the following Plenary session, Dr. Dolores Volkert, Head of the HEI Initiative at EIT Raw Materials, delivered concluding remarks. Her insights and closing statements provided a sense of closure to the workshop and highlighted the significance of the HEI Initiative.
After the Plenary session, participants had the opportunity to enjoy lunch on-site while engaging in networking activities. The event concluded after lunch, providing a final opportunity for attendees to connect and exchange ideas.
2023 IVAP Workshop Prague successfully wrapped up, leaving participants with valuable takeaways, connections, and a sense of accomplishment.