The University of Rijeka, in cooperation with the Lürssen Group, organised a unique two-day event, the European Forum, in the spaces of the former Eksportdrvo on Delta, where numerous experts, esteemed guests and heads of internationally renowned business giants discussed the future of universities. During the two-day gathering, the academic and business communities of Rijeka and the Kvarner region had the opportunity to listen to advice and experiences first-hand from some of the most successful people from the business sector and high education in Europe, among whom was Ivo Usmiani, President of JGL’s Board of Directors.
“In the Croatian scientific community, there is enormous potential which is not being sufficiently utilised. Only the walls we build in our heads stop us from doing so. We need to do away with them, we must work systematically and with perseverance and, first and foremost, we need to turn to our export products and their added value. Knowledge is as great as its use”, said Ivo Usmiani, highlighting the cooperation of JGL with various members of the University of Rijeka as a good example of building a scientific-innovation ecosystem.
“In the background of the first European Forum, which we hope will not be the last, lies our primary desire to establish communication. Of course, there is cooperation between the business sector and universities, the civil sector, local communities and citizens. However, our thinking is that we can only deal with future challenges, including the social issues we face today, if we put our heads together, if we get over the preconceived notions which are deeply ingrained in our institutions – both in business and academia. We must strive together to solve these problems since our duty, our moral obligation, is to think of future generations the same way we think about the quality of life of all our citizens”, said Prof. Snježana Prijić Samaržija, PhD, Rector of the University of Rijeka.