Apeiron students impressed the international jury of the European Union and in Podgorica received the most prestigious award to date - the Butterfly Innovation Award

Apeiron students impressed the international jury of the European Union and in Podgorica received the most prestigious award to date - the Butterfly Innovation Award

The students of the Faculty of Information Technologies, Daniel Menićanin, Jelena Radanović and Nikola Račić, achieved many successes with their innovations, and the last one is the biggest - the prestigious Butterfly Innovation Award, which they received in Podgorica, on November 26, and which is awarded by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). They were awarded in the Youth category and are the winning team from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Regional Cooperation Council recognizes and awards the most innovative youth projects from six Western Balkan countries.

"Tonight we celebrate visionaries who inspire us with their creativity and determination," said Elda Kalaja, head of the Office of the General Secretary of the RCC, while Filip Ivanović, Vice-President of the Government of Montenegro, emphasized the importance of innovation as a driver of growth and transformation of the region.

Our trio, a team called PressCoders, impressed the international jury from the European Union with their innovation – PressBrake Software – a customizable software that automates outdated hydraulic presses in the metal industry. This software significantly improves the efficiency and productivity of industrial operations, providing a modern technological solution that contributes to digitization and sustainable development.

The competition is part of the third Regional Butterfly Innovation Forum, held in Podgorica and brought together leading leaders from the fields of innovation, research and politics. This year, as many as 87 projects were registered, and the participation of women, who made up 52% ​​of individual applications and 45% of team members, was especially praised.

The Regional Cooperation Council was founded on February 27, 2008 in Sofia. It works to promote the prosperity of Southeast Europe by supporting sustainable and fair economic growth policies, in order to improve regional economic integration, green and digital transformation, while simultaneously reducing poverty and narrowing existing social, economic and environmental differences with the European Union. It is focused on creating a climate for a prosperous region, through the creation of a unique center for innovation, women's empowerment, a clean environment and a competitive youth base.

This success of the PressCoders team confirms the quality and potential of young innovators from Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their work is not only a recognition for them personally, but also a significant contribution to the promotion of Banja Luka as a city of talent, innovation and technological progress.

The Pan-European University Apeiron collective of several hundred employees has no words to describe their pride. Everything that young Daniel, Jelena and Nikola have achieved so far is unusual, special and fascinating, especially the Butterfly Innovation Award. They have pushed the boundaries of knowledge and technology and we congratulate them and wish that their names are recognizable names of science of the widest scale.