Transforming and Digitizing Industry – study visit to Brussels for representatives of Polish industry

On 4-5 June 2019, the “Transforming and Digitizing Industry” study visit was held at the headquarters of the Wielkopolska Office in Brussels. The event was addressed to the leading representatives of the Polish manufacturing industry, research and innovation units and business environment institutions. Among invited speakers were also representatives of the European Commission (including DG RTD, DG CONNECT and DG GROW), as well as representatives of Polish ministries, for instance, the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology and the Ministry of Digitization.

The study visit was organized by the National Contact Point for EU Research Programs in Poland in cooperation with the Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA) and the Information Office of the Wielkopolska Region in Brussels. On behalf of the organizers, the participants were warmly welcomed by Izabela Gorczyca, director of the Wielkopolska Office in Brussels, Tomasz Poprawka, an expert at the PolSCA Office, and Zygmunt Krasiński, director of the NCP in Poland.

The first part of the study visit was devoted to the presentation of the potential of the Polish innovative environment in such areas as rail transport, robotics or information and communication technologies, especially during the tour de table sections. Representatives of companies and institutions also had the opportunity to share their experiences and best practices, as well as expanding the network of contacts in terms of future cooperation.

The second day of the event was an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with European initiatives that support innovation and entrepreneurship, including EU programs in the field of research and innovation (Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe). Representatives of the European Commission have repeatedly stated that the priority issues in the future framework program Horizon Europe will be digitization, sustainable development and innovation.

The event was under the patronage of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Investment and Development, the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology and the Ministry of Digitization.

A detailed agenda is available below.