Center of Advanced and Post-doctoral Research – CAPRIS UKIM
“Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje
CAPRIS UKIM Vision and Goals
Center of Advanced and Postdoctoral Research at “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje (CAPRIS UKIM) aims to foster and promote advanced research in the field of sustainable urban development through integrated and multidisciplinary approach to the challenges of the built environment, contemporary society and local communities.
The vision of CAPRIS UKIM is to establish a center of scientific excellence and high-quality research that will promote an informed and inclusive scientific and public debate about the topics and challenges that are relevant for the future sustainable development of the society. The vision of the Centre is based on principles of freedom of scientific research and mobility of young researchers for creation of sustainable, innovative and inclusive development. The vision of the Center will be achieved through promotion of regional and transnational cooperation and exchange in research and innovation on the topics of urban sustainable development.
The main goal of CAPRIS UKIM is to enable and support the advancement and exchange of scientific knowledge among post-doctoral and young researchers in the domains that are important for creation of future urban sustainability.
The objectives of the CAPRIS UKIM are:
– to enable scientists and young researchers from South Eastern Europe, European Union and the World to convene, debate and perform advanced and innovative researcher on the topics relevant for the future of urban environment;
– to create a framework for promotion, acknowledgment and recognition of the scientific results delivered by the young researchers from the international scientific community and relevant scientific and research institutions and journals;
– to foster cooperation between the senior and junior researchers from the internationally recognized and world renewed scientific and research centers in the region of SEE and Europe;
– to enhance the quality of research and innovation through support of young researchers through capacity building, use of innovative scientific infrastructure and digital tools, and networking with established research centers;
– to promote the importance of research and innovation in achieving the UN sustainable development goals, digitalization of societies, green agenda, inclusive and just societies and institutions, smart cities and citizens.
The legacy
The foundation of CAPRIS UKIM in Skopje, North Macedonia is based on the legacy of the Skopje Project – an international support and solidarity in the post-earthquake reconstruction of city of Skopje after the 1963 devastating earthquake followed by UN led project for the reconstruction of the city. The Skopje project demonstrated the importance of architecture as a collaborative effort in the divided world promoting the belief that the construction of the human habitat is a humane way to solve socio-political and economic obstacles of the contemporary world. This synergy of politics and knowledge of how to build better and more just cities were unique feature of the Skopje project that demonstrates the importance of the capacity of architects and planners to solve the problems of the cities and societies.
New research paradigm
CAPRIS UKIM will educate young post-doc researchers, junior fellows, PhD students and professionals from the field of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, Visual Arts, Performative Arts, Civic and ICT Engineers, Data researchers, Environmental scientists, Social scientists, Philosophers and others in a highly collaborative and experimental setting, characterized by independent study with guidance and input from and exchange with leading scientists and emerging innovators, designers and scholars.
It will create an intense educational setting in which the goal is to improve and sharpen the research skills as well as critical thinking abilities of the fellows. The program will focus on cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary research and innovation; exploring innovative social and urban models for a more socially and culturally sustainable global future. It will be taught by an international body of visiting renown researchers and scholars as well as select teaching staff from the UKIM and partner Universities.
Its approach is focused on new forms of spatial thinking, alternative modes of defining a data and evidence driven project, and innovative ways of practicing as a social and technical innovator and a researcher. It is also tailored to educate post-doc researchers to foster integrated urban planning and design knowledge, considering urban environment, architecture and urban design as complex connection between technical, cultural, social, and economic factors, as well as of strategic, organizational, and spatial considerations.
CAPRIS UKIM will invite senior and junior researchers with strong scientific and research background to cooperate in a clearly defined interdisciplinary domains. The research at CAPRIS UKIM will be performed with focus on the exploration and innovation in domains that will cover broader social, spatial, economic, cultural and environmental studies organized around the following programs:
– Integrated Urban Planning (Strategic, data driven and evidence based urban planning)
– Urban Informatics (Big Data, AI, ML, Smart cities and Smart citizens)
– Urban Environment (Energy Efficiency, Renewable energy resources, Green transition and transformation)
– Urban Mobility (Sustainable Urban Mobility, Smart mobility)
– Urban Economics (New economies of cities, Future business models and Partensrhip with citizens)
– Urban Policies (Innovative policies and management of cities, Smart institutions)
– Urban Society (Smart citizenship, Inclusivity and Participation, Just cities, Philosophy of the City)
– Urban Legacy (Digital Urban History, Cultural Heritage preservation, Urban Identity)
– Urban Resilience (Climate Change, Risk, Prevention and Disaster management)
– Urban Culture (Urban Arts, Performative Arts, Urban Narratives)
The research programs of CAPRIS UKIM should enable creative cooperation and synergies among the researchers from Technical Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Urbanism, Urban Planning, Architecture and Arts. CAPRIS UKIM will announce semi-annual calls for fellowships in at least two of the above-mentioned programs in order to promote and foster interaction and innovative cooperation among the researchers from different fields of research.
The expected result of the work of researchers at CAPRIS UKIM is to produce innovative and socialy relevant scientific results that will provide a scientific knowledge and data to shape and steer the debate in the society about the sustainable urban development, green transformation and digital transition enhancing the capacity of institutions and citizens for transformation of society, reforms of the institutions and creating better and more just society through innovative solutions.
CAPRIS UKIM Program
The work of the CAPRIS UKIM will be organized around the following activities:
– Calls for Fellows – calls for fellowships will be announced twice a year (in March and October) for 4 fellowships positions for 6 months long research residency at the CAPRIS UKIM and partner centers of advanced studies in the region and beyond. The fellowship grants will provide salary for researchers, medical insurance, costs for travel to conferences or other scientific events, costs for publishing of scientific papers in scientific journals. CAPRIS UKIM fellows will use the research facilities of UKIM and can participate in the on-going research projects at UKIM and partner Universities.
– CAPRIS UKIM International Architectural Seminar – Seminar will be organized with participation of invited senior scientists and advanced researchers as lecturers and mentors for CAPRIS UKIM fellows, young post-doc researchers and PhD students, guests of honor and participants from the partner Centers of Advanced Studies, partner Universities, Foundations and Organizations from the region of SEE, Europe and the World.
CAPRIS UKIM Facilities
Faculty of Architecture at University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” provides a working space for the selected CAPRIS UKIM fellows and other young researchers form partner Centers. Work space is located within the dedicated facility for the CAPRIS UKIM fully furnished and equipped with all equipment needed for the research, necessary administrative support and logistics, access to data bases and other research facilities in the country and the region.
Selection of Fellows
Selection of CAPRIS UKIM fellows will be made without any restrictions regarding the country of origin, scientific background or academic position of the candidates. Selections of young researchers eligible for fellowship and research residency will be made by Scientific Board through a double-blind review process based solely on the criteria that will promote scientific excellence, competition and individuality, based on the scientific achievements and merits of the candidates and the recommendations by the reviewers and senior researchers and academics.
The first call for fellowships will be announced in March, 2024 and the first generation of young post-doc researchers and CAPRIS UKIM fellows will commence its research residency in May, 2024.
Management structure
The management of CAPRIS UKIM is organized through the following bodies:
– Supervision Board – constituted of 3 members nominated by the Rector of the UKIM and elected by the Rectors’ Council of UKIM;
– Director of CAPRIS UKIM – nominated by the Rector of UKIM and elected by the Deans’ Council of Faculty of Architecture, UKIM in Skopje. Prof. Dr. Ognen Marina has been elected as a Director of CAPRIS UKIM for the period from 2023-2027;
– Scientific Board – constituted of 10 members nominated by the Director of CAPRIS UKIM. The role of the Scientific Board is purely scientific and it has to provide an excellence in selection of themes, programs and fellows of CAPRIS UKIM;
Financing
Financing of CAPRIS UKIM is provided by the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, and Faculty of Architecture-Skopje, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, partner Foundations, partner organizations from Industry, partner Universities from the country and the region and through application and development of research projects funded by EU programs Horizon Europe, Creative Europe, Erasmus+ and others, as well by the funding provided through grants of Foundations supporting research work in sustainable urban development.
International and regional cooperation
International and regional cooperation is fundamental for development and delivery of the main goal and objectives of CAPRIS UKIM of fostering and promotion better and innovative scientific research and innovation. The added value of the foundation of CAPRIS UKIM is the capacity building of the scientific community in the region of South Easter Europe that since the early years of the societal transition in 1990’s has been severely underfunded, understaffed, lacking the basic research infrastructure and political support and with the very limited ability to network among the regional academic and research centers and centers beyond the region.
International and regional cooperation in science and research in the region of SEE is high on the agenda of CAPRIS UKIM as a part of the broader network of Centers of Advanced Studies in the academic and research centers in all major cities in the region facilitated by the CAS SEE at the University of Rijeka in Croatia and including similar centers at University in Ljubljana, University of Belgrade, University of Sarajevo, University of Montenegro, University in Tirana and others. CAPRIS UKIM will also foster a creative cooperation with partners from broader scientific community in Europe, with Foundations like Transform Transport from Milan and partners from IT industry like Intelligent Network Solutions.
4th Moise International Architectural Seminar in Cres (4th – 8th September, 2024)
CAPRIS UKIM will organize the 4th Moise International Architectural Seminar in partnership with CAS SEE at University of Rijeka at island of Cres in Croatia at the beginning of September, 2024.
Three guest senior scientists and academics will be invited as key-note speakers. It is expected from 20-30 CAPRIS UKIM fellows, post-doc and PhD researchers from partner Universities, Foundations and organizations to participate at the seminar. The work of the Seminar will be organized around set of lectures, round tables and debates addressing the topics relevant and critical for the main theme of the Seminar.
Centre for Advanced and Post-doctoral Research
“Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje
Address:
Boulevard Partizanski odredi, 24
1000, Skopje, North Macedonia
Contact
E-mail: capris@arh.ukim.edu.mk
Director:
Prof. Dr. Ognen Marina
Mobile: +38975 200 150