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Science and Technology Forum 2025: "Intellectual Property: how to create and enhance it?"

katjasinur
Mar 203 min read

Rudolfovo praznuje 3. rojstni dan s poudarkom na intelektualni lastnini


Novo mesto, 25th March 2025. Today, the Science and Technology Forum 2025 took place at the headquarters of the {Rudolfovo - Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto (Podbreznik 15, 8000 Novo mesto), focusing on the role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and competitiveness. The event opened up a wide range of discussions on the importance of IP protection in the modern economic and research environment.

 

The Forum was the first event of the Rudolfovo Science and Technology Week and was held to celebrate the third anniversary of the Public Research Institute, which was established on 23 March 2022 by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to support technological development and innovation in South-Eastern Slovenia.

 

The Forum was held in several parts, including opening greetings by distinguished speakers, Dr. Tomaž Boh, Director General of the Directorate for Science and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and Tjaša Dobnik, Acting Director of the Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia. The introduction to the substantive part of the conference was given by two international experts - prof. dr. Nigel S Clarke, Partner at Stanfield Clarke Associates and Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge, who presented the challenges and opportunities in the field of intellectual property in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and personalised medicine.

 

The Forum's discussions focused on IP as a catalyst for societal development, strengthening strategic dialogue in this area, raising awareness of the importance of IPR and a balanced system of IP protection, and the role of IP as an indispensable part of the intangible assets of companies, enhancing the value of investments and competitiveness. Special emphasis was also placed on fostering innovation, creativity and economic growth.

 

Session 1 of the Forum highlighted the state of industrial property in Slovenia, with M.Sc. Karin Žvokelj, Director of the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Slovenia, presented the key tasks of the Office and the possibilities to support researchers in protecting innovations. Borut Lekše from KRKA, d.d. highlighted the importance of commercialisation of inventions and patent protection for achieving business success and Ana Hafner, Ph.D., from Rudolfovo, presented the first results of the "CRP IP Support" project, which explores the possibilities for improving the management of intellectual property in Slovenia. The 2nd section of the Forum focused on spin-offs and their challenges in integrating the research sector and the business. M.Sc. Robert Blatnik from the "Jožef Stefan " Institute presented the need for better support for spin-offs, while M. Sc. Roswita Golčer Hrastnik from BioSistemike d.o.o. presented a successful example of spin-off company growth. Dr. Tomaž Jurejevčič from Elaphe d.o.o. highlighted the importance of the innovation process in small companies in times of disruptive market changes.

 

Prof. Dr. Janez Povh, Director of Rudolfovo, said at the cocktail: "Intellectual property is one of the key factors of economic development and innovation. Through forums like this one, we want to contribute to a greater awareness of the importance of protecting and strategically using it. We are particularly pleased to have held this important event to celebrate the third anniversary of Rudolf's."

 

Dr. Ana Hafner, Head of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office at Rudolfovo, emphasised: "Our vision is to strengthen the collaboration between research institutions and industry and to ensure that innovations find their way out of the laboratories and into real-life applications. Intellectual property is an indispensable element in this."

 

The final part of the event offered a round table discussion on the role of intellectual property in supporting spin-offs and the opportunities offered by venture capital funds.

 

The turnout at the Forum was outstanding, which shows the great interest in the topic of intellectual property in Slovenia.

 

The Rudolfovo Science and Technology Week will continue with the Rudolfovo Open Day on Wednesday and workshops on Thursday and Friday for primary and secondary school students.

 

Information for the media: Rudolfovo, Public Relations, Katja Sinur, e-mail: katja.sinur@rudolfovo.eu, 041 560 200.


 
 
 

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