In the current dynamically developing environment, international cooperation plays a key role in supporting innovation and technological progress. A significant contribution to this area was the workshop implemented by the Technology Transfer Center TIP-UPJŠ within the project Accelerating Digital Catch-up through University-Industry Cooperation, which took place in the city of Košice.
The event focused on strengthening cooperation between the academic sector and industry within the Visegrad Four (V4) countries. The workshop provided a platform for experts from Slovakia and abroad, who had the opportunity to share their experiences and present concrete examples of successful technology transfer into practice. Such examples point to the importance of effectively connecting research with real market needs.
The program also included a panel discussion that addressed current challenges, opportunities and barriers in the area of cooperation between universities and the business sector. The discussion highlighted the need for a systematic approach to supporting innovation, as well as the importance of building long-term partnerships across sectors.
An important aspect of the event was also networking, which enabled the establishment of new contacts and the deepening of existing cooperation between universities and businesses. Such interactions are essential for creating innovation ecosystems that support economic growth and competitiveness of the region.
The project is co-financed by the governments of the V4 countries – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – through the International Visegrad Fund grant program. The main mission of this fund is to support sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe and strengthen mutual ties between countries.
The implementation of such initiatives represents a significant step towards developing the innovation potential of the V4 region. Supporting cooperation between academia and practice contributes not only to a more effective use of scientific knowledge, but also to strengthening competitiveness and digital transformation in the Central European space.
