An introductory meeting on international collaboration between University of Applied Sciences Hrvatsko Zagorje Krapina and UN African Regional Centre for Space Science, Technology, and Education held

The University of Applied Sciences Hrvatsko Zagorje Krapina (UASHZK), and the UN African Regional Centre for Space Science, Technology, and Education (UNARCSSTE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2nd November, 2022. The MoU outlines the common disciplines and subjects of mutual scientific and professional interest, thus paving the way for establishment of a historic multi-disciplinary collaboration framework.

The introductory meeting was open to all registered participants, thus the audience was made of scientists and researchers from both parties, UASHZK teaching and non-teaching staff, UASHZK students of informatics and transport logistics, as well as the UASHZK partners and media. In continuation of the collaborative framework establishment, an open on-line Google Meet bi-lateral meeting was held on 9th November, 2022. Parties were represented by delegations led by their respective heads: Mr Nenad Sikirica, Sr Lecturer, Dean of UASHZK was leading the UASHZK delegation, while Professor Babatunde Rabiu, General Director of UNARCSSTE, was leading the delegation of UNARCSSTE.

After the introduction of key participants, Professor Rabiu presented the essential details of the UNARCSSTE. The UNARCSSTE is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. Established to provide a scientific and education facility for scientists and students from African English-speaking nations, the UNARCSSTE conducts research, and provides Bachelor-, Master-, and PhD- level education in a wide range of science, technology, and socio-economic discisplines related to or exploiting space under curricula developed by UN. Professor Rabiu outlined the proposal for collaboration, which comprises subjects and disciplines, as well as a wide range of means for materalisation of collaborative efforts and activities.

The UASHZK was presented through organisation, activities, and accomplishments of its flagship research laboratories, Laboratory for Spatial Intelligence and Laboratory for Internet of Things/Industry5.0, which serve as the source of knowledge and skills transfer to education of the UASHZK students at its three BA-level studies: informatics, transport logistics, and operational management. The presentations were followed by discussion, in which the participants agreed on the mutual interests, and means for future activities, which comprise, but not limit to: staff and student exchange, advisory to students, teaching selected UASHZK courses at UNARCSSTE, bi-lateral research projects in a number of scientific disciplines of common interests, and co-organisation of international scientific events, including Baška SIF Meeting, regularly held in Baška, Krk Island, Croatia every October.

Meeting concluded with agreement of the follow-up meeting in December.The UASHZK Dean Nenad Sikirica welcomed the participants, while emphasising the importance of the signed agreement for collaboration as a historic document for both parties. He stressed out the opportunities and prospects for extension of collaboration in science, research, education, and consultancy project development and execution, with benefits for both parties.