On May 24th, the Innovation Factory (IF) at POLIS University was introduced to the local/ international ecosystem actors, including representatives of the private sector, aware of the importance of cooperation with the academia such as, Gener 2 and Lufthansa; policy makers such as the Minister of State for the Protection of Entrepreneurship, the Deputy Minister of Education and National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation; partner universities of Polis in various Erasmus and Horizon projects; donors, as well as students and interested parties.
Innovation Factory is a cross-cutting and interdisciplinary unit within POLIS University, that seeks to support researchers, students, young creatives, entrepreneurs, and businesses to innovate. Besides technical expertise and know-how, through the recently established Makerspace, IF provides the possibility for prototyping and digital fabrication to start-ups and businesses with a special focus on design, engineering, smart innovations, and ICT.
The highlight of this event was the visit to the premises of IF and the introduction of the myriad of tools (such as the latest technology 3D printer, cutting lasers of various types, robotic arm, etc.) the FabLab is equipped with. The aim of this networking event was to intensify the dialogue and cooperation among academia and industry in Albania and the Western Balkans, as well as highlight the importance of international aid, which when coordinated such in the case of EU for Innovation (IF was beneficiary of both financial support provided by the Swedish Embassy via “Challenge Fund”, as well as tailored technical assistance provided by GIZ) has a higher impact for the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole.
