Innovations for society and business
24 August 2017

Оn August 24, 2017, for the first time in Ukraine on the occasion of the Independence Day celebrations, the allee in front of the central building of the Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University hosted a large-scale scientific and social forum "Innovative Picnic-2017". The event was in the list of official events dedicated to the Independence Day of Ukraine celebration in 2017. The symbol of "Innovation Picnic" was the launch of the drones as a symbol of innovation. The Forum's initiative comes from the scientific organizations necessity to increase their collaborations and number of contacts with business and it focused at creating a single platform where small and medium-sized (SMS’s) businesses could meet with representatives of scientific organizations and discuss opportunities for cooperation and wishes of market for certain technologies.

The International Science and Innovation Activity, Technology Transfer Department of the The Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, as Coordinator of the "EEN-Ukraine" consortium, is the main organizer of the Forum "Innovative Picnic-2017" in cooperation with the Yuri Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University. The EEN-Ukraine Consortium was created under the Competiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (COSME) program, a European SME’s support program for international cooperation and innovation. In contrast to the European program HORIZON2020, the COSME program does not support fundamental research, but focused on convergence of business and science, developing innovative infrastructure, training, developing and creations of start-ups, entering international markets, deepening international cooperation and stimulating SME’s representatives to choose the most innovative development path. The consortium of the "EEN-Ukraine" consists of: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Mission of Ukraine to the European Union); Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; NGO "Spozhyvach" (business association with head office in Dnipro); New International Corporation (high-tech Ukrainian company).

Innovative Picnic-2017 was attended by leading scientists and specialists from different countries, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, representatives of various start-ups and innovation companies, as well as all interested persons. In the frame of the Forum was presented section with companies for early development and education of children, IT technologies, robotics and electronics, interesting science and mysterious experiments.

The purpose of the Forum "Innovative Picnic-2017" was to popularize and publicize the innovative developments in a wide variety of spheres of life, to encourage young people and the general public to self-development and discover their own potential, raise the status of science and education among society. Dozens of companies and institutions received from the Consortium EEN-Ukraine free opportunity to present their activities to the community and exchange contacts with representatives of other innovative companies and academics.

At the Innovation Picnic Forum-2017, representatives of innovative companies and academics demonstrated their developments in many spheres, including robotics, heating systems, economical and miniature power sources and related areas. It was possible to review video and other materials about innovations in Ukraine, ways and perspectives for their further development, as well as to participate in discussions and ideas and experiences exchanging.

For example, Globerry (Expanding borders), presented three projects: Globerry, Nazvychas and Braille-device. Visitors were impressed by the clock, which shows and spells time, has the ability to connect to social networks and interactively provides a message. Also, young developers have demonstrated the work of devices for learning the Braille font and a mobile app with audio tours of great and interesting places. National Contact Point "Nanotechnologies, Contemporary Materials and Advanced Industrial Production" has been advised on the work of the Horizon 2020 project, representatives of the EEN-Ukraine Consortium have advised small and medium-sized businesses to participate in the COSME program, the Boteon Center of Robotics presented a 3- D Printing, manipulators and robots, also you could take part in battles of robots and "talk" with a Willy - touch robot that react on moves. The Rainbow Innovation Education International School presented brilliant examples of ways in that innovation can influence the educational and educational process. The latest technologies in heating and insulation systems were presented by two CARBON-4 and Europlastic projects.

New economical and miniature power supplies were presented by representatives of the research laboratory "Chemical Current Sources" of the Ukrainian State Chemical Technology University (Dnipro). As an international participant, The Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus presented their own most up-to-date research directions. The students of the Chernivtsi National University did not leave indifferent either adults or children, showing exciting experiments from Mobile Laboratory "MobLab", and the Regional center of Scientific and technical creativity of the youth student presented a number of robots, in particular, waiters who have executed the orders of the kids with the delivery of the ordered toy menu. The event was fostered by festive mood, as it happened on Independence Day of Ukraine, most of the participants were weared in embroidered clothes and have wonderful sunny days. The event was highlighted in mass media.

Following the Forum Innovation Picnic 2017 event participants were given the opportunity to post profiles about their company, services and innovative products on the EEN (Enterprise Europe Network) portal. Nowadays, science in Ukraine needs urgent support and close cooperation with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses and the manufacturing sector; therefore, such events are the starting point for the infrastructure for establishing contacts and international cooperation. Next year it is planned to hold the "Innovative Picnic-2018" again in close cooperation with the international conference NANO-2018.

Website of the Innovation Picnic 2017

Website of the NANO-2017 conference