Agreement signed on expanding cooperation between the University of Zagreb and the BMW Group
On Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Regional Center for the Development of Entrepreneurial Competences for South-Eastern Europe – SEECEL, the Agreement on the Expansion of Cooperation between the University of Zagreb and the BMW Group from Munich was solemnly signed. This agreement marks the expansion of the previously successful cooperation between the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB) of the University of Zagreb and the BMW Group on the project Intelligent data models for battery cell production (INSIGHT).
The INSIGHT project is focused on research and development of solutions for optimizing the production of battery articles using artificial intelligence models, and now it has been extended to the area of data model development in the process of recycling battery articles. FSB professors, PhD students and students, as well as BMW Group researchers, participate in its implementation.
The agreement was signed by the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Sc. Stjepan Lakušić, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Prof. Dr. Sc. Zdenko Tonković, and Head of Technology Development for Battery Cell Recycling at the BMW Group, Moritz Poremba.
The Rector of the University of Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Sc. Stjepan Lakušić, emphasized the importance of such collaborations in creating a prosperous and competitive society by connecting the academic community and the economy. The Dean of the FSB, Prof. Dr. Sc. Zdenko Tonković, emphasized that the partnership with a global leader like the BMW Group strengthens the scientific and innovative excellence of the Faculty, while Moritz Poremba emphasized the importance of the development of artificial intelligence in optimizing the production of battery cells.
The Minister of Science, Education and Youth, Prof. Dr. Sc. Radovan Fuchs, the Minister of Economy, Ante Šušnjar, and State Secretary Žarko Tušek congratulated the signed Agreement, emphasizing its strategic importance for the development of the economy, innovation, and technological progress of Croatia.
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Croatia, H.E. Christian Hellbach, emphasized that such projects further strengthen European cooperation and strengthen innovation capacities in the region. The Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Munich, Vladimir Duvnjak, praised university initiatives that strengthen international academic ties.
The manager of the INSIGHT project at the Competence Center for Battery Articles of the BMW Group, Ivan Rumenović, presented the goals and phases of the project, while assistant professor Ph.D. sc. Marko Švaco, head of the Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technologies CRTA and the INSIGHT project at FSB, emphasized that this agreement enables intensive interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge exchange between the academic community and industry.
The signing ceremony was attended by numerous guests, including vice-rectors, deans and vice-deans of faculties of the University of Zagreb, members of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, representatives of relevant ministries, diplomatic representatives of Croatia and Germany, and members of the INSIGHT project team.
The project was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
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