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Our misson

SMARAGD is a shared vision aimed at changing the innovation ecosystem of the Moravian-Silesian Region. By linking cutting-edge research, development, and innovative entrepreneurship, it will bring new energy and opportunities to the region and attract experts, students, companies, and technologies responding to today's global challenges. These steps will ensure the sustainability of the economic development of the Moravian-Silesian Region. The Technical University of Ostrava serves as the primary leader of research and education within SMARAGD while the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre acts as a valuable resource for both small businesses and multinational corporations.

Why SMARAGD?

The economic development of the Moravian-Silesian Region has been firmly linked to coal mining, metallurgy, and related branches of heavy engineering for two centuries. In recent years, however, the region has faced the disintegration of its traditional manufacturing base, high unemployment, and an outflow of young talents. The Moravian-Silesian Region is thus facing a difficult process of economic restructuring accompanied by a number of negative social and environmental impacts. In order to complete the necessary structural changes and ensure long-term economic prosperity, an ambitious vision of SMARAGD was co-developed by the Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) and the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre (MSIC).

Education

Research & Development

Business

Infrastructure

Video presentation of the SMARAGD vision

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Enhancing the quality
and internationalization
of R&D in the Moravian-Silesian Region

100+
incoming researchers, including Highly Cited Researchers or ERC grant recipients
100%
increase in annual income from R&D-related activities due to a higher number of publications and project activities, including international grants
200%
increase in the number of international researchers
))

Enhancing the attractiveness of the region as a hub of higher education

20%
increase in the number of university students
50%
increase in the proportion of students who choose the given field as the first choice
50%
increase in the number of international applicants seeking higher education in the Moravian-Silesian Region
))

Expanding technological park capacities

100%
increase in office space available for rent to tech companies
400%
increase in space for laboratories, workrooms, and testing facilities used by tech companies, research institutions, or schools
50%
increase in the number of companies operating in the premises of the technology park
))

Expanding the capacity of business incubation and acceleration services for startups and established companies from MSR

100%
increase in available space for incubating new business projects including reduced rent options
100%
use of acceleration services by companies located in the Moravian-Silesian Region
))

Boosting company-university cooperation in R&D sector and education

100%
increase in funding directed to science and research from companies and other entities in the application sphere
10
new technical study programmes involving employees from local tech companies in teaching
100%
growth in revenue generated from licensing university intellectual rights

Prerequisites for achieving the vision

Partners

Join
Us

The SMARAGD vision aims to create an open platform that encourages the participation of key stakeholders in the Moravian-Silesian Region to develop a globally competitive innovation environment. As the heart of this ecosystem, VSB-TUO and MSIC want to facilitate the circulation of "innovation blood" from all partners who will participate in the implementation, be it representatives of public administration, universities, partner projects within the framework of the Operational Programme Just Transformation, or innovative companies in the region. They can all contribute to the transformation of the Moravian-Silesian Region into SMARAGD - SMARt And Green District.