INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “IMPACT CAMPUS: KNOWLEDGE VALORISATION HUBS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION”: PARTNERS FROM UKRAINE, TÜRKIYE AND TUNISIA DISCUSS INNOVATION, STARTUPS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

The international conference “IMPACT CAMPUS: Knowledge Valorisation Hubs for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation” took place from 9 to 16 October 2026. The event brought together representatives of higher education institutions, researchers, students, business representatives and international partners. Its four-day programme combined academic, research and practical activities to facilitate knowledge exchange, support startup development, protect intellectual property and promote technology transfer.

The conference opened on 9 October 2026 in Cappadocia, Türkiye, in a hybrid format. The international project partners established the overall framework and agenda for subsequent events addressing intellectual property, innovation and technology transfer in academic and entrepreneurial settings, as well as the commercialisation of innovative ideas and startups.

The event began with welcoming remarks from Professor Oleksandra Olshanska, Rector of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD). Professor Olena Cherniavska of the KNUTD Department of Management, who initiated the project, Professor Olena Vartanova, IMPACT CAMPUS Project Coordinator, and partners from the international consortium presented their vision for implementing the project and achieving its key performance indicators. The day concluded with a panel discussion entitled “From Knowledge to Innovation: Protecting and Commercialising Ideas”.

The second day of the international conference, held on 13 October 2026, focused on international partnership. The IMPACT CAMPUS delegation was warmly welcomed at the Mediterranean School of Business (MSB) and South Mediterranean University (SMU). Participants were introduced to the business school’s academic, research and international activities, as well as the project’s objectives. Partner institutions also presented their respective areas of expertise. The day’s programme included meetings with the school’s leadership and researchers, discussions of cooperation opportunities and the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.

The Tunisian delegation included Professor Leila Triki, Dean of MSB; Professor Anis Chelbi, Associate Dean for Research; Professor Imed Jamoussi, Chief Operating Officer; Professor Noomen Lahimer, Head of the SMU Incubator; Assistant Professor Ines Ben Othman, Head of the International Programmes Office; Professor Mehdi Zahaf, Associate Dean for Accreditation; Professor Sofia El Bahri, SMU Incubator Coordinator; and other esteemed partners.

The third day of the international conference “IMPACT CAMPUS: Knowledge Valorisation Hubs for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation”, held on 14 October 2026, focused on project coordination and joint development. Partners reviewed the progress of the IMPACT CAMPUS project, discussed participants’ roles and responsibilities, identified key priorities, milestones and expected outcomes, and agreed on arrangements for ongoing communication. An expert session entitled “From Partnership to Impact” resulted in a jointly developed roadmap for the next phase of project implementation. International experts delivered keynote presentations, shared the outcomes of training activities and discussed the dissemination of project results and progress towards its key performance indicators. The third day concluded with the identification of areas for joint initiatives and project ideas supporting international cooperation among students, researchers and startup ecosystems.

The final day of the international conference “IMPACT CAMPUS: Knowledge Valorisation Hubs for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation” took place on 16 October 2026 in Tunisia in a hybrid format. The conference brought together leading researchers, academic staff, international experts and representatives of the international business community. Consortium partners presented their achievements and progress in project implementation through reports and presentations. The event concluded with a session entitled “From Partnership to Impact”. Participants’ papers will be published in the conference proceedings.

20.10.2026