Presentation of the UNICATH-RES Project Results Held

On Monday, June 29, 2026, the presentation of the results of the project "UNICATH-RES - Research and Innovation Infrastructure of the Catholic University of Croatia for Applied STEM and ICT Research" was held in the Blessed Aloysius Card. Stepinac Hall.

The central objective of the project was the adaptation of a data center and the equipping of a series of modern laboratories in order to transform the Catholic University of Croatia into a modern research and innovation hub. The UNICATH-RES project, with a total value of 3.3 million euros, was funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and was implemented during the period from January 15 to June 30, 2026.

The program was opened by the Vice-Rector for Organization and Operations, Professor Gordan Črpić, who pointed out that the new equipment positions CUC alongside prominent research institutions in Croatia and opens up new opportunities for cooperation with the business sector and other scientific organizations.

Project manager Martina Tolić presented the key activities and achieved results, emphasizing that a large number of complex procurement procedures were successfully carried out in an exceptionally short period, enabling the establishment of a highly specialized infrastructure. Through the project, laboratories in the building at Ilica 244 A on the university Campus were fully equipped, which includes a student multi-purpose laboratory, a biochemical laboratory, a laboratory washing room, and spaces for chemistry, biochemistry, and biological disciplines.
 

In the continuation of the program, technical coordinators and researchers presented the new scientific units and advanced equipment in detail. Assistant Professor Momir Futo, PhD, presented the equipment of the Biomedical Research Laboratory, including systems for sample preparation and storage, molecular biology and genomics platforms, and an advanced system for digital PCR analysis.
 

The Technical Coordinator of the Microscopy Unit, Associate Professor Marija Ćurlin, PhD, presented a new high-resolution confocal system with a cytogenetics system that enables advanced cell and tissue analysis, as well as integration into international research networks.

Professor Tamara Holjevac Grgurić, PhD, presented the new equipment of the Laboratory for Chemistry and Materials Development, which includes devices for materials characterization and a unique line in Croatia equipped with a module for microplastics identification, as well as the Thermo-Calc software for computer simulation of 3D printing processes.

Teaching Assistant Daniel Štifanić, PhD, as the representative of the Technical Coordinator for the adaptation of the data center and the equipping of ICT laboratories, presented the work carried out on adapting the Data Center for deep learning systems, the new high-performance AI computing infrastructure, and the robotic and XR equipment for the needs of the Faculty of Engineering. He also showcased a humanoid robot and a robot dog, which are part of the newly acquired equipment of the Laboratory for Collaborative and Service Robotics, within the educational and research platform for developing advanced solutions in the field of human-robot interaction.

In addition, a new technical protection system for the campus was implemented through the project, significantly improving the security of people and equipment.