Lithuania has something to be proud of - the best practices presented at the virtual event got international partners‘ attention!
On the 16th and 17th of June 2021, the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) hosted 6th Partner Meeting of Interreg Project TraCS3. The purpose of the meeting was the dissemination of good practices developed by the research organisations and science and technology parks of Lithuania, which could be further transferred to other regions or improved, based on the interregional collaboration principles.
„Europe is full of solutions how to create effective platforms for innovation and collaboration. Sharing this knowledge benefits everyone, especially those regions that are lagging behind. Interregional cooperation is the engine that makes this happen. What comes out of all this? In this case, cooperation provides knowledge about innovative solutions and good practices that are transformed into actions and lasting results in the regions“ says Dr. Lina Kisielė, Head of R&D&I Programmes and International Cooperation Department at MITA
The Lithuanian Innovation Ecosystem, National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at Kaunas University of Technology, Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology and Vilnius University Life Sciences Center were presented at the event.
During the event Karolis Stašys, FTMC Innovation and Project Manager, shared Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) good practice. An institution that has successfully combined different disciplines, has become one of the leading research institutions in the country over the years. FTMC is the largest scientific research institution in Lithuania carrying out a unique fundamental research and technological development works in scientific fields of laser technologies, optoelectronics, nuclear physics, organic chemistry, bio and nanotechnologies, electrochemical material science, etc. Not only the innovative science but also high technologies expedient for business and society needs are developed in the center. It is estimated that 1 Euro spent generates 2,236 Euros. The center also has 16 spin-offs established
During the event, Mindaugas Bulota, Head of KTU National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (NIEC), presented the achieved results and success examples. NIEC is a link between science and business, ensuring a smooth mutual cooperation, commercialisation of the latest innovations developed at the University, protection of intellectual property and development of newly established enterprises. Annual R&D revenues from contractual research is increasing every year, in 2020 they have reached 3.455 mln. Eur and even 20% of this R&D revenues is generated by foreign entities. In 2020 NIEC signed 64 intellectual property transfer licensing agreements and established 30 spin-off companies. One of the examples mentioned during the event was a license cooperation agreement signed between UAB Teltonika Telemedic and Kaunas University of Technology, which undertakes to commercialize and manufacture a wrist worn device based on an algorithm and technology developed by KTU and VU researchers to identify, monitor and characterize atrial arrhythmias in patients with post-stroke conditions.
Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003. The Park features long-standing traditions in development of entrepreneurship, promotion of business and science collaboration, provision of infrastructure and other innovation support services to young, innovative enterprises as well as to other knowledge-intensive business. Laima Kaušpadienė, Director of the Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, presented the Sunrise Valley Ecosystem, which consists of more than 5,000 Scientists and researchers, more than 20 thousand students, over 60 innovative companies. The Park is a perfect place for innovative technological enterprises, enterprising members of universities community and R&D environment, who aim to commercialize their knowledge, establish and develop businesses and expand innovative activity. Businesses can take advantage of the innovation support services provided in the park, such as business consulting, access to finance, technology intelligence and transfer, partner search, and more. Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park has provided services to more than 200 companies, attracting over 10 million. Eur investment and carries out 33 projects
On the second day of the event, a discussion was organized with the help of external experts using the method of the World Cafe. This discussion covered three topics: Exploring joint (funded) calls to stimulate interregional collaboration on R&D&I? How to organise structural collaboration of innovation policy makers between regions and what can we learn from BSR Stars, Vanguard? DIHs and EDIHs - how can they be utilized to stimulate interregional collaboration on R&D&I?
