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Currently I am EIT Manufacturing Manager for Serbia (in charge of the industrial and policy portfolio development in Serbia) and the Director of Helixconnect Europe where I am in charge of the organization's management and expansion. I am an experienced knowledge & technology transfer manager with expertise in intelligent and environmentally sustainable production. Industrial and higher education reforms, the transformation of regional innovation ecosystems and digitalization are among the core capacities from my current portfolio. So far, I have successfully acquired and managed +36 projects amounting to more than 33.2 million Euros. In the past I have served as the Chairman of the External Grants Committee at the Triple Helix Association (University of Stanford-initiated technology transfer association); Consultant at Drees & Sommer; Project manager at the Advanced Resource Efficiency Centre (United Kingdom), a hub focusing on environmental sustainability technology commercialisation; Associate Professor in Digital Transformation and Sustainability at the University of Sheffield; Deputy Director of the South East European Research Centre; and Co-founder of a World Bank Working Group on Law and Technology. I have served as keynote speaker and panel speaker in numerous international events and have performed industrial and policy consulting at local, regional, national and international level. I hold a PhD degree in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom) as well as a BSc degree in Computer Science from the same university.
Emilia Binchiciu has a PhD in industrial engineering, more than 15 years experience in the R&D sector, namely material science and over 5 years as a scientific researcher in the non-conventional technologies field - ultrasonic processes. She is the author of over 79 scientific papers published at international conferences and journals, 17 patents and 3 patent requests and has experience in National and European funded projects as she participated in over 28 as project manager, member and collaborator. Emilia is currently involved in several European research projects in the field of digitization, eLearning, eTraining as well as technical projects in the fields of welding, inspection and non destructive testing.
Lola is currently finalising her MSc degree in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Science and she also holds a BA in Japanese Language, Literature and Culture. With a high interest in human rights, inclusion, social justice and civic engagement, Lola has been engaged in a wide range of non-formal education activities and capacity building programmes such as working with Migration hubs/NGOs, international student networks, Europpride organisations as well as in a range of formal education such as citizen science (i.e. Museum nights), celebrating higher education days, and promoting equal access to inclusive education.
Experienced and highly motivated Software Engineer and Digital Transformation Expert, with proven knowledge in the information technology industry - specifically in game development and web applications. Experienced in programming with PHP, C#, and Java, as well as in database technologies and front-end frameworks (JQuery, AJAX, Bootstrap). Over the past years, she has developed substantial expertise in digital innovation co-production in transnational teams and with a wide variety of customers. She can deliver efficient solutions and manage technological innovation projects from design to deployment. Her products are used by more than 20 international large customers. She is co-founder of E-HORECA Group, an e-commerce company specialized in import, export, wholesale, and retail, operating in 4 countries: Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Greece. Her skills in Digital Marketing, SEO Optimization, Web Development, and Graphic Design have significantly contributed to the exponential rise of the company’s online sales. Throughout her agile international exposure, she has developed excellent time-management skills, can work under pressure, always being self-driven, and with advanced organizational skills. Has the spirit of solving challenging tasks and constantly improving, rather than being repetitive. She holds a First-Class Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Sheffield as well as numerous performance awards that have enabled her to work as an independent contractor and consultant for international customers.
Vladimir Nedeljkovic holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and is currently on the final year of his master’s studies at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, in the field of Integrated Urbanism and Regional Development. A semester of his master’s studies was spent at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. He is an active participant in the Stara kao nova project, an initiative for the sustainable renewal of village communities in the Stara planina region of southern Serbia. Apart from his native Serbian, he speaks English, French and Russian.
Vlad Mihaescu has a PhD in educational and technological models of MOOCs and has more than 10 years’ experience as a trainer and teacher in areas like multimedia technologies, social media, e-tourism, e-learning, usability, programming, soft skills and leadership. Author of over 25 scientific papers and book chapters published in international conferences and journals, Vlad is involved in several European research projects in the field of eLearning. He is also a lecturer for UPT. Currently he serves as the Chair of the NAP Steering Committee at the European Distance and e-Learning Network (EDEN).
Mihai Lisetchi has extensive experience in the development of social economy organizations. He is deeply involved in the study and research of social entrepreneurship, social enterprise, social economy, sharing economy and social innovation concepts and practice. He is currently also leading research at the West University of Timisoara, Romania. In the past, he undertook an international fellowship in philanthropy at Johns Hopkins University, USA, served as Secretary of State at the Ministry for Public Consultation and Civil Dialogue (Romanian Government) shaping the NGO development agenda of Romania. He also provides expertise and coaching for numerous NGOs an adult training programmes, while coordinating his own NGO (Agency for the Information and Development of Nongovernmental Organizations).
After graduateding at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, the degree in Information Systems and Technology, she became a teaching associate at the Faculty at Department for Management of Technology, Innovation, and Development. During her work on the Faculty, she finished master studies in Operations Research and Computational Statistics. Her research interest in that period was the performance and official rankings of universities. Currently, she is on the final year of her doctoral studies and writing a thesis on the topic "Development of the model for measuring the performance of technology management based on the Triple Helix concept". Her interest in citizen science stemmed throughout her engagement with triple/quadruple helix research and she is currently actively involved in proposals targeting co-creation with society and citizen engagement in research and innovation.
Dr Petar Vrgovic is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Technical Sciences (University of Novi Sad, Serbia). His expertise relies on creative thinking and effective communication (including during societal engagement). He also loves helping SMEs to innovate and collaborate, especially in developing countries and in sub-optimal conditions. He holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and PhD in Engineering Management. His interests are tailored around: business communication trainings, establishing organizational culture, employee creativity, open innovation for SMEs, public speaking and presentations, students entrepreneurial activation, small business networking and serious games.
Mihai Cărăbaș is an experienced lawyer contributing to research & innovation in cooperation with Babes Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He is also a referee within the framework of the Jurisdictional Arbitrage Court from Cluj's Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He holds a rich experience in commercial law, intellectual and commercial property, energy and corporate management. He also provides consultancy in negotiation and mediation, as well as public defence. He is truly passionate about LegalTech and the application of cutting-edge solutions in the legal domain and he has established the first LegalTech Accelerator Platform in Romania, attracting hundreds of stakeholders at its annual event. Through these efforts, he bridges international networks in LegalTech (i.e. European LegalTech Association, ILTA, Investment Houses, etc) in order to build up the LegalTech ecosystem from Romania.
Uranik Begu is a highly experienced management and marketing executive, who currently is serving as an Executive Director at Innovation Center Kosovo (ICK). Prior to his work at ICK, Uranik has served as Head of Marketing and part of a management at Post Telecom Kosovo for four years. Uranik is currently close to completion of his Doctorate degree in Management, at Swiss Management Center. He is also a renowned lecturer and has taught at several private universities, and the public university of Prizren. He also serves as a Board Member for the largest European Marketing Conference held in Zurich, the CMO Conference, also known as Davos of Marketing. Uranik since six years ago is an active member of the Economic Development Council of Prishtina.
Vladimit is an associate professor at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy and member of the faculty council. He is also a isiting professor at the University of Banja Luka. Member of the PMI chapter Serbia and president of the executive board of the Union of Safety at Work of Serbia. Expert in construction management and feasibility and sustainability of construction. Member of the Serbian Chamber of Engineers. Member of the Revision Commission for Professional Control of Technical Documentation (designs) appointed by the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure. Interested in new technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), advanced methods of project management and sustainability.
Dimitris Raidis is an urban planner and architect graduated from UCL Bartlett school. He participated in a number of design projects, urban design and planning projects in association with Sempsi Office in Thessaloniki Greece. From 2000 he worked as a director at Sempsi Office, completing a number of architectural, urban design, and interior design projects. He also participated in a number of planning works including the one of the General masterplan of Municipality of Thessaloniki and the masterplan of the Port of Thessaloniki. In 2015 he has co- founded KARD architects, a fresh modern architectural office with many architectural awards in interior and architectural competition projects. He is also a member of the Permanent Committee of Planning Development and Growth for the Technical Chamber of North Greece, a member of Think Tank SEVE since 2016, member in the board of directors of Think Tank Paremvasi since 2018, as well as in the director of boards in the Greek Export Association.
She obtained her Master´s degree in Architecture from the University of Belgrade in 2016. From 2016 until 2018 she worked at the Institute for Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia (IAUS) while attending doctoral studies at the University of Belgrade. She is an author and co-author of several academic publications on the topics of international policies related to urban heritage management and participatory urban planning in socialist Yugoslavia. From November 2020 until April 2021 she worked at Drees & Sommer Switzerland – Integrated Urban Solutions, where she was involved in consulting and applying for international projects in integrated urban development, smart cities, green infrastructure, and sustainable urban mobility, with a focus on the CEE region..
She obtained her Master´s degree in Architecture from the University of Belgrade in 2016. From 2016 until 2018 she worked at the Institute for Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia (IAUS) while attending doctoral studies at the University of Belgrade. She is an author and co-author of several academic publications on the topics of international policies related to urban heritage management and participatory urban planning in socialist Yugoslavia. From November 2020 until April 2021 she worked at Drees & Sommer Switzerland – Integrated Urban Solutions, where she was involved in consulting and applying for international projects in integrated urban development, smart cities, green infrastructure, and sustainable urban mobility, with a focus on the CEE region..
Dr Dimitris Psychogyios, is an Architect Engineer and Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture UTH, in the area of Creative Design-CAD/CAM Technologies. He has a PhD, Postgraduate Diploma and Diploma from School of Architecture of NTUA, and a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from TEI of Heraklion. He is member of the Greek Technical Chamber since 2005, has numerous completed architectural projects and has participated in many architectural competitions.