Coming together for the development of Ostrava and the region is essential. REFRESH sets the tone.

How can we kickstart the region? This was the topic of discussion between two vice-rectors and important players in the REFRESH project, Igor Ivan from VSB-TUO and Ondrej Slach from the University of Ostrava, along with Jiri Hudec, head of the Strategic Development Department at the Ostrava City Hall. The debate that took place at the Meltingpot forum during this year’s Colours of Ostrava festival highlighted the positive impact of strong collaboration between universities and public administration on the region’s development.

The participants acknowledged that the region and city of Ostrava have achieved significant advancements, but they also noted that there is still room for improvement. The implementation of projects under the Just Transformation Operational Programme, including the largest project in the history of VSB-TUO REFRESH, is expected to further contribute to this progress.

“We have developed a strategy to transform the Moravian-Silesian Region, with REFRESH being a key tool for its implementation. The goal is to make significant changes by bringing top researchers to Ostrava. Young researchers are eager to collaborate with these experts. This provides valuable opportunities for students. In essence, we are like a sports team recruiting top NHL players, except our focus is on groundbreaking research that benefits the region. We aim to redefine the perception of universities and stem the outflow of young people from the region,” explained Igor Ivan, vice-rector of VSB-TUO and director of REFRESH.

The two Ostrava universities collaborate not only in the REFRESH project. However, this project is unique in its cooperation with the public administration. “The integration of technical and social sciences is significant as we strive for research outputs that can be implemented in various fields and support business development. We must also explore new opportunities for growth in Ostrava and the surrounding region. What’s encouraging is the collaborative effort among all stakeholders, a rarity in many cities,” stated Jiri Hudec, a representative of the Ostrava municipality.

Ondrej Slach, Vice-Rector of the University of Ostrava and Scientific Director of the Social Lab in the REFRESH project, praised the collaboration between universities and the city, as well as the willingness to experiment with new ideas in Ostrava. However, he emphasized the importance of continued progress. “When top researchers join universities, they also expect the city to provide them with adequate amenities that ensure a high quality of life comparable to those found in Central Europe. Overall, there is a need to improve public spaces so that people feel comfortable and can easily navigate their surroundings,” highlighted Slach.

Jiri Hudec, the city representative, agreed. “Ostrava needs to cultivate its public space and prepare for foreign visitors. We are still facing massive investments needed to keep the city fully operational and functional. The necessary funds are available and will be utilized,” Hudec stated.

New technologies and changes also need to be communicated to the public. “REFRESH and SMARAGD provide a platform to show what is happening in our area and explain to people what it will bring,” Ivan added.

Additionally, other researchers from VSB-TUO involved in the REFRESH project will join the Colours of Ostrava, such as Stanislav Misak, Scientific Director of the Energy Lab and Director of CEET, Petr Simonik, Scientific Director of the Industry 4.0 & Automotive Lab and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Jana Kukutschova, the Vice-Rector for Research and Development.