The REFRESH newsletter is out now!

This year’s second issue offers an overview of the achievements and milestones REFRESH has reached over the past six months. It also features an interview with Josef Bělica, Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

“We manage to attract leading experts to the region who bring fresh ideas and inspiration and who serve as a strong magnet for early-career researchers and motivated students. We are developing new laboratories, and the number of publications, European projects, contract research activities, and patent applications continues to grow rapidly. We also see a growing interest among applicants. Still, I believe the true impact of REFRESH goes well beyond what can be captured from a few pages of a newsletter. It is reflected in the daily work of our teams, in the region’s development, and in the opportunities we are creating together,” said REFRESH Director and VŠB-TUO Rector Igor Ivan.

The past several months were dominated by preparations for, and the completion of, the midterm evaluation, an assessment of the project’s first half. Conducted at the end of November, it represented a major milestone. “Although we are still awaiting the official report, I can already say that the presented results were received very positively. For this achievement, we extend our sincere thanks to the entire project team. Without their commitment, hard work, and professionalism, none of this would have been possible,” the rector added.

REFRESH aims to address the region’s challenges and support its economic, energy, and environmental transformation. In four interconnected living laboratories, university researchers collaborate closely with high-potential companies and with public administration, including the leadership of the Moravian-Silesian Region. This synergy is reshaping the innovation ecosystem and accelerating the development and implementation of new technologies.

You can read the full newsletter at https://www.smaragdova.cz/newsletter/refresh-02-2025-en.pdf