INTERVIEW WITH MILICA MARIC – UNIVERSITY OF BANJA LUKA

“The University of Banja Luka supports and promotes the principles of Open Science (…) All activities contribute to the broader movement of open science, fostering innovation and increasing the impact of research on regional and wider scales.” Milica Maric, from the University of Banja Luka speaks in this interview about their different contributions to the BEAMING project.

Q: What is the role of University of Banja Luka in the BEAMING project?

A: As a project partner, the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL)
has a role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to address the innovation gap in the bioeconomy. UNIBL’s contributions are multifaceted, encompassing capacity-building initiatives for early-career researchers, advocacy for institutional reforms to promote research excellence, and the establishment of sustainable Communities of Practice (CoPs) to facilitate networking and joint research endeavours. Through tailored training programs and collaborative workshops, UNIBL empowers researchers, cultivating a skilled workforce in bioeconomy research. Moreover, our engagement in promoting networking and knowledge sharing, amplifying the visibility and impact of bioeconomy research at the University and beyond.

Q: Which capacity-building activities will you plan to strengthen the adoption Open Science?

A: The University of Banja Luka supports and promotes the principles of Open Science (OS), which are applied throughout the entire process of producing scientific results. The activities planned through the BEAMING project could be separated into two lines. The first is enhancing technical tools and supporting existing infrastructure to align with OS principles. It refers to enhancing the already existing UNIBL digital repository and developing software for a unified e-library system, as the crucial base for research activities of academic staff and students. The second line includes fostering a culture of openness, transparency, and collaboration through workshops, pieces of training, and summer schools for young researchers with the aim of raising awareness of the benefits of open science and open innovation practices. All activities contribute to the broader movement of open science, fostering innovation and increasing the impact of research on regional and wider scales.