English
Slovenščina
Italiano
Deutsch
Alma Mater and RRA Maribor Join Forces for the Sustainable Development of the Podravje Region
Alma Mater Europaea University and the Regional Development Agency Podravje—Maribor have signed a cooperation agreement today. This agreement establishes a strong framework for a long-term partnership aimed at promoting sustainable regional development, enhancing innovation potential, and connecting the research sector with the economy.
"The purpose of this cooperation is to improve educational and research capacities and to encourage the transfer of innovation and research into practice in the Podravje region. We will work together on the preparation and submission of national and European projects in the fields of health, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence, with special emphasis also on the development of entrepreneurship in the region," explained Prof. Dr. Ludvik Toplak, Rector of Alma Mater Europaea University.
One key objective of the agreement is jointly organizing conferences, fairs, and events to promote innovation and foster networking among researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors. The agreement also foresees concrete steps for establishing mechanisms that effectively transfer research achievements into real-world applications.
These include:
- Establishing incubators and accelerators for start-up companies in health, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence provides mentorship, infrastructure, and access to funding;
- Strengthening cooperation with industry to align research with market needs and to develop innovative solutions in partnership with local businesses;
- Organizing workshops and training programs focused on commercializing knowledge, intellectual property management, and developing entrepreneurial skills.
A significant segment of the cooperation also centers on artificial intelligence, where the two institutions will jointly conduct applied research projects addressing specific needs of the regional economy and public sector. In addition to joint research, they will organize activities to improve digital competencies, raise awareness of the opportunities and risks of AI use, and prepare joint applications for national and international calls.
Alma Mater and RRA Maribor—Podravje also strive to establish a Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in the Podravje region as part of their long-term vision. This center will be a research, development, and practical implementation hub in this rapidly evolving field.
