Official start of activities on the EDIH ADRIA project

A presentation of the project was held at the University of Rijeka Campus on Thursday, 23 February 2023. EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hub) Adria. On behalf of the Rector of the University of Rijeka prof. dr. sc. Snježana Prijić Samaržije introductory address and greeted the meeting Vice-Rector for Strategic Projects prof. dr. sc. Sasha Zelenika. Mr. sc. Damir Medved, director of the EDIH project, presented the project.

Welcoming speeches were given by:
g. Sandro D’Elia, Programme Officer; European Commission (via video link from Brussels)
Ms Diana Krčmar, Head of Innovation Sector, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (via video link)
g. Bruno Radojica, Head of Innovation Support Service, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (via video link)
g. Vedran Kružić, Director of the Regional Development Agency of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County PRIGODA

On behalf of the project partners, the Consortium Agreement was signed by:
prof. dr. sc. Senka Maćešić, Vice-Rector for Digitalization and Development (on behalf of the Rector prof. dr. sc. Snježana Prijić Samaržije), University of Rijeka
Assoc. prof. dr. sc. Valter Boljunčić, Vice-Rector for Cooperation, Innovation and Technology Transfer (on behalf of the Rector prof. dr. sc. Marinka Škare), Juraj Dobrila University of Pula
Mr Boris Golob, Director, STEPRI Science and Technology Park of the University of Rijeka, d.o.o.
Domagoj Cebin, Global Desk Senior Specialist, Infobip, d.o.o.
Assoc. prof. dr. sc. Darko Huljenic, Director of the Research Unit, Ericsson Nikola Tesla d.d.
g. Nenad Antolović, Director, Smart RI, d.o.o.

The EDIH Adria Advisory Board has also been established, which will consist of several other members, but so far the following have been confirmed:
prof. dr. sc. Danica Kragić Jensfelt, Professor of Computer Science at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm and member of the International Scientific Council of the University of Rijeka
prof. dr. sc. Bojan Čukić, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics (CCI) of the University of North Carolina and Honorary Professor of the University of Rijeka
Doc. dr. sc. Vladimir Mozetich, President of the Kvarner Health Tourism Classes Association
g. Marijo Volarević, Digital Excellence Director, Jadran – Galenski laboratorij, d.d.

the European Digital Innovation HubEuropean Digital Innovation Hub) EDIH Adria is based on two key technologies: Artificial intelligence i High Performance Computing. The project will focus on the health, mobility and sustainable development sectors. Duration of the project is 3 years, with the possibility of extension for additional 4 years, and the budget of the project is €2.645 million. The main sources of funding are, in equal proportions, grants granted from the EU project and from the national Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Croatian small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to participate in a free learning program on the use of digital technology.
Throughout the European Union, the European Commission has initiated the establishment of “European Digital Innovation Hubs” (EDIH), whose task is to support the introduction of digital technologies in businesses and the public sector. In Croatia, 4 such centers have been established, and EDIH Adria is in charge of digital transformation of companies in Adriatic Croatia, one of the 3 statistical areas of Croatia. Users will be able to test digital technologies and apply them in their business and attend trainings, where they will learn how to e.g. learn how to set up an online store, what the database is for, how to introduce or improve the use of various sensors, etc., but also to the advanced use of artificial intelligence.