EU funds for improving working conditions at the Institute of Information Science Maribor
Ljubljana, 12 March 2014 – Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, acting as the Managing Authority for EU Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, issued a decision awarding EU funds for the project “New construction for the IZUM facility and energy renovation of the existing facility”. The value of the project, which will be implemented by the Institute of Information Science Maribor, is a little under 9.5 million euros of which the European Regional Development Fund contribution amounts to almost 7.2 million euros.
The development of the Institute of Information Science Maribor (hereinafter IZUM) is hindered by the lack of space. The specific high-tech equipment requires specific space which makes the new construction a priority. The objective of the investment is to provide new work areas for the IZUM employees, namely by constructing a new facility which will be connected to the existing facility as well as energy renovation of the existing facility. The new facility (together with the existing renovated facility), covering an area of 13,907.37 m2, will provide safer work areas as well as improve conditions for research and educational activities.
With the realisation of the investment, IZUM will gain additional office areas, conference rooms, lecture rooms and laboratories which will be used by the employees as well as others visiting IZUM mainly for educational purposes (apprentices, undergraduate students, etc.). The improved conditions relating to space will also enable the purchase of new research equipment. The construction of a new computer centre, which will enhance competitiveness in the field of library information systems, is also of great importance. The project will also strengthen the institution’s relevance and thus contribute to greater quality of products and services in Slovenia as well as abroad.
The investment will raise the level of research activity and the recognition of IZUM, strengthen its links with the economy with emphasis on the transfer of new knowledge, integration into the international, and especially the European scientific community and development of research infrastructure.
