133 participants gathered in Košice for the Ulysseus R&I Conference 2025 on Digital Transformation of Industry

Košice, Slovakia – 21 October 2025.

During yesterday and todady, the Technical University of Košice hosted the Ulysseus Research & Innovation Conference 2025 – Navigating Pathways: Digital Transformation of Industry, bringing together 133 participants from Ulysseus partner universities, associated partners, start-ups, and regional stakeholders across Europe to explore how digital technologies are reshaping industry and society.

Organised within the framework of Ulysseus Košice Week, the conference served as a cornerstone event for strengthening the Ulysseus European University’s research and innovation ecosystem. Through three thematic tracks—Digital Transformation of Industry, Universities as a Driving Force of Digital Innovations, and Sustainability of Digitalisation—participants discussed advances in artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, automation, and sustainable digital transitions.

The Technical University of Košice led participation with 67 delegates, followed by the University of Seville (10), Université Côte d’Azur (9), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (9), University of Genoa (7), Management Center Innsbruck (6), University of Münster (3), and the University of Montenegro (2). Most attendees came from Slovakia, Spain, Finland, and France, reflecting the alliance’s strong European reach. In total, the conference brought together representatives of 26 nationalities, underscoring the diversity and international dimension of the Ulysseus community.

Peter Mésároš, Rector of TUKE, opened the day with inspiring perspectives on the intersection of technology, academia, and regional innovation. The programme also included parallel sessions, poster presentations, and the Young Researcher Award Ceremony, recognising emerging talent within Ulysseus.

The event took place at University Science Park TECHNICOM, a hub for start-ups, technology transfer, and the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH Cassovium), which embodies the university’s commitment to driving digital excellence in the region.

Looking Ahead: Ulysseus Innovation Hub Day – Connecting R&I for Digital Transformation

As part of Ulysseus Košice Week, today’s Ulysseus Innovation Hub Day: Connecting R&I for Digital Transformation builds upon the outcomes of these days conference. The event aims to strengthen collaboration among Ulysseus innovation ecosystems and align project ideas for upcoming Horizon Europe calls.

Hosted again at University Science Park TECHNICOM, this brokerage and networking event—organised in cooperation with the Enterprise Europe Network and European Digital Innovation Hubs—focuses on Joint Research & Innovation Groups (JRIGs) and thematic areas such as AI, robotics, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and art and science for digital transformation.

Through ideation workshops, B2B sessions, and matchmaking opportunities, participants will continue shaping new consortia and projects that contribute to Europe’s sustainable and digital future.

About Ulysseus

Ulysseus is one of the 73 European Universities alliances selected by the European Commission under its flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities, which brings together almost 650 higher education institutions of all types from across Europe. Led by the University of Seville, the Ulysseus European University Alliance encompasses seven other partner universities: the Université Côte d’Azur (France), University of Genoa (Italy), the Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® (Austria), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), the University of Münster (Germany), and the University of Montenegro (Montenegro). In just a few weeks, Ulysseus will celebrate its fifth anniversary, marking half a decade of joint progress in education, research, and innovation across Europe.