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RRI key focus: Ethics & Science Education & Open Access
WBC-RRI.NET territory anchor on Improving STEM education: Ideathon “Innovative ideas for better quality of life”
In January 2023, WBC-RRI.NET through synergies with other grants and actors has launched an IDEATHON “Innovative ideas for better quality of life”, seeking for creative and innovative solutions to societal issues in the areas of waste management, urban planning or climate change by using the responsible research and innovation approach and concept, as part of the collaborative activities of the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL) with United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH) through their Accelerator Lab.
A total of 96 secondary schools across the Republic of Srpska were invited to organise teams of students guided by professors and applied for Ideathon through the UNDP BiH’s Open Innovation Platform, designed to promote innovative thinking and empower innovation ecosystem in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ranking of the teams was based on: online voting of the wider community (30%) and evaluation of the jury (70%).
The three winning teams were presenting their ideas at the public event “Engaging Science with and for Youth”, that took place on April 28 in Banja Luka. Valuable prizes were provided through specific grant of Ministry for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of Republic of Srpska, as well as sponsorship from socially responsible companies, but also receiving additional education and training by UNDP BiH.
The collaboration between various stakeholders highlights the significance of working together towards enhancing science education and fostering innovative ideas.
Activities were supported by:
- Ministry for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of Republic of Srpska
- Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic of Srpska
- UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina
IDEATHON “Innovative ideas for better quality of life”.
University of Banja Luka was seeking for ideas, visions and solutions for a better future
Workshop entitled “Between innovation and ethics: Artificial intelligence in science and education”
Workshop entitled “Between innovation and ethics: Artificial intelligence in science and education” was held on June 28, 2023, at the University of Banja Luka, with the aim of providing an interactive platform for scientists, educators and teachers to discuss the ethical implications of applying artificial intelligence in the fields of science and education.
The workshop was attended by 45 participants. During the opening remarks, Milica Balaban, Vice-Rector for International and Interuniversity Cooperation of UNIBL, emphasized the importance and relevance of the workshop’s theme and the need to create a culture of responsible use of artificial intelligence in the academic community and beyond.
The main highlights of the workshop were:
- importance of respecting ethical principles in the use of artificial intelligence in education and science, such as transparency, non-discrimination, societal well-being, responsibility, privacy, and data management
- the need for a systematic approach to the educational process
- introducing topics about artificial intelligence in primary school, in order to influence students to use tools for their own and others’ benefit
- presenting the usefulness of artificial intelligence as a tool for increasing productivity.
Bearing in mind the rapid progress of artificial intelligence and integration into various sectors, respecting the principles of responsibility and ethics, a second workshop dedicated to this topic followed in September.
Adoption of a new Regulation on Amendments to the Regulation allocation of incentives for small and medium enterprises, including Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles
The Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska has published the Regulation on Amendments to the Regulation on the allocation of incentives for small and medium enterprises, including Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles. This publication is the result of “anchor” activities through workshops and ongoing communication between the WBC-RRI.NET team in Bosnia and Herzegovina (University of Banja Luka and HRTD Cluster) and representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska during the drafting of the regulation.
These amendments to the Regulation demonstrate the inclusion of three RRI principles: Ethics, Gender Equality and STE(A)M Education. They aim to foster sustainable practices, promote gender equality, and prioritize the development of a skilled workforce through practical education.
Workshop “Between innovation and ethics: Artificial intelligence in science and education”, June 2023