The Novel Trends in Chemistry, Research and Education conference is one of the traditional November events organized by the Institute of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. Each year, it provides a platform to present the latest achievements in chemical research and innovations in chemistry education through selected lectures and poster presentations. Its mission is to connect researchers, educators, and students, foster the exchange of expertise, and create an inspiring environment for new ideas and collaborative development.
A major attraction of this year’s programme was the panel discussion “Institute of Chemistry at the Center of Project Opportunities”, featuring the coordinators of two successful projects funded through the Recovery Plan for research and innovation – Prof. Erik Sedlák (project APBC, focused on biotechnology development) and Assoc. Prof. Adriana Fedorková Straková (project Sunflower, aimed at energy innovations). These initiatives represent strategic projects of UPJŠ with the potential to bring breakthrough solutions for Slovakia and the wider European research area.
UPJŠ achieved exceptional success in this national call: out of 38 submitted project proposals, only 6 were selected for funding, and UPJŠ is the only university in Slovakia involved in two of them – APBCand Sunflower. Together, the projects received funding exceeding €28 million, and their implementation is underway at the Faculty of Science and the Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences (CIB TIP-UPJŠ).
In the panel discussion, Prof. Sedlák introduced both the scope and the ambitions of the APBC project. APBC brings together leading scientists and industrial partners to strengthen biotechnology research and innovation in eastern Slovakia. The panel also addressed broader topics related to the future of research – from science–industry collaboration and economic diversification to the need for sustainable research infrastructure, systematic talent development, and creating a motivating environment for young researchers. Prof. Sedlák highlighted that modern protein biotechnology and strong interdisciplinary cooperation serve as essential drivers of scientific innovation, international competitiveness, and long-term regional development.
The participation of CIB TIP-UPJŠ at the conference further underscored its key role in building biotechnology capacities and demonstrated that securing and implementing large-scale projects such as APBC is a strategic engine for creating new opportunities in science, innovation, and modern education.
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