Until recently the youngest in the country, the Juraj Dobrila University in Pula has managed to position itself highly among established competitors with its new, unique study programs in recent years, and will soon open the largest 3D laboratory in terms of Croatian universities, writes Glas Istre.
Along with numerous domestic and foreign students, professors are also coming to this University, one of whom is the young 39-year-old scientist from Rijeka, Assistant Professor Dr. Sven Maričić, who came to the Pula University two years ago when the study of production engineering was initiated, now at the newly established Department of Technical Studies, and Pula is already recognized as a center for 3D technologies in Croatia.
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Maričić is a pioneer of 3D printing technology, as well as its application in biomedicine. He spends half of his working hours at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, while the other half works at the Pula University as the assistant rector for new technologies.
Maričić, who completed various training programs in Helsinki, Romania, and China during his studies, is proud that through these experiences he met inspiring people who, by creating this technological society, are pushing us all forward.
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– I agree that there are countries that are absolutely more developed than us, which invest much more in social, economic, and scientific development, but what is important is that we also have the chance to do it here. I tell my students that they are a special generation because they have the opportunity to create their own jobs through their ideas, the realization of their ideas, through start-ups like we have at the Pula University, said this young scientist in an interview for Glas Istre, where he also mentioned that negotiations are already underway to transfer the license for the 3D printed microscope, the first intellectual property registered by the Juraj Dobrila University, to a private company.
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– The Pula University is turning to new technologies, new tools – industry 4.0. We will soon open a large 3D laboratory that will have ten or more 3D printers, on which our students will be able to work. To my knowledge, this will be the largest laboratory at any Croatian university in a specific technology. We have achieved this with our own resource planning and commitment. Simply put, we have a strategy for organic growth. After European success, this is a logical step forward. With this, we are setting up the technological infrastructure, a tide that will later lift us all. What motivates our students will also motivate our entrepreneurs. We will be able to hold seminars for those who have never seen or heard anything about 3D printing, concluded Maričić.
