The project aimed to help overcome the main barriers to research excellence and knowledge transfer in the field of micro-process engineering and microfluidics-based research at University of Ljubljana (UL), in Slovenia, and broader: lack of organization enabling intra- and inter-institutional connection of researchers and industrial partners (highly specialized and fragmented research), lack of financing (small number of PhD and Post-Doc students at UL), and lack of international researchers and academic staff. A Chair of Microprocess Engineering and Technology - COMPETE was established at UL, which builds on and extends the existing expertise of research groups from five collaborating faculties. This new knowledge center aims to improve research performance in the field of micro-process engineering, microfabrication, and micromachining, as well as fundamental research in biophysics, chemistry, and microbiology using microfluidics. Micro-process engineering and microfluidics-based technologies are also identified as key enabling technologies, fitting especially with Advanced manufacturing, Advanced materials, and Micro- and nano-electronics. The project focus falls into the areas which the EC has identified as a priority for research in view of exploiting the research potential of less advanced regions through collaboration with excellent research entities.
The new centre will foster knowledge transfer in applications in biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical production, biomedicine, food quality assessment, and environmental protection. It will decrease the brain drain evident in Slovenia and will attract excellent international researchers resulting in an improved reputation and internationalization of research and development at UL, in Slovenia, and in the region. Together with partners, COMPETE team members will apply for new funding for highly interdisciplinary research projects. Several tasks, e.g. structuring of standard procedure for the employment of researchers, data management plan, and preparation of long-term innovation and research action strategy could serve as a best practice example that will induce structural changes within the university and broader.
The ERA Chair COMPETE has the following overarching objectives:
1. To build on and extend existing expertise within UL to form a new knowledge centre that will significantly improve research performance in the field of micro-process engineering, microfabrication, and micromachining, as well as fundamental research in biophysics, chemistry, and microbiology using microfluidics, and will foster knowledge transfer in applications in biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical production, biomedicine, food quality assessment and environmental protection.
2. To establish a highly competitive research center that will attract and maintain high-quality human resources on a sustainable basis.
3. To create an interdisciplinary team that will be able to significantly increase the amount of obtained competitive funding and to enhance the collaboration with industrial and public stakeholders.
4. To position COMPETE as a strategic centre with connections with EU countries, particularly Croatia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy, as well as Western Balkan countries, with the ambition to become a leading centre for microfluidics-based research in the region.
i. To establish the centre as the hub of an extensive knowledge transfer in postgraduate studies at UL, as well as in other EU and Balkan countries.
ii. To set a best practice example that will induce structural changes on a larger scale (e.g. being a platform for future start-ups).
iii. To create a knowledge centre, which will allow UL to align with European, national, and institutional policies
