Košice is becoming a leader not only in the field of information technology but also in supporting young talents who have the potential to shape the future of the region. A testament to this is the fourth edition of the LAB IT Creativity project – organized by the Košice IT Valley association.
“You are the greatest treasure our region has,” said Miriama Hučková, Executive Director of Košice IT Valley, in her opening speech at the final event. Her words perfectly captured the essence of the project, which over the past four years has grown into a prestigious platform for young innovators from secondary schools.
LAB IT Creativity is not an ordinary competition, but a long-term educational program. Throughout the entire school year, students work in teams on their own IT projects, guided by students from the Technical University of Košice and industry mentors. The result of their work is the realization of ideas that go beyond the standard curriculum and offer real solutions for everyday life.
This year’s edition saw the participation of 14 schools with a total of 17 projects. The final event, held in the packed Aula Maxima at the Technical University of Košice, featured presentations that impressed both the expert jury and the audience. The students had to present their solutions in front of professionals, educators, and representatives of IT companies—and defend them against curious and often challenging questions from the jury.
The top three teams received awards in the following categories:
Technological Execution: EKO Charger, Secondary Vocational Technical School, Rožňava
Innovation: Moja SPŠEKE, Secondary Industrial School of Electrical Engineering, Košice
Community Support: Groups and Math Assistant, Poštová 9 Grammar School, Košice
“These young people have shown today that they not only know how to code, but also have the courage to step up, present and defend their ideas and solutions, and work as a team. These are exactly the skills that are crucial in today’s IT world,” said Adam Urban from Košice IT Valley, the project coordinator and moderator of the several-hour-long final.
“We put not only our know-how and contacts into this project every year, but most importantly our time and energy—because we believe that investing in young people is worth it and truly meaningful. They are the ones who can bring innovations that will move our region forward,” Urban added.
Foto: Košice IT Valley/P. Čontoš
LAB IT Creativity also has a practical impact on the schools themselves. Thanks to the support of the Košice Self-Governing Region, some of the newly participating schools received funding of €20,000 to build modern IT laboratories. These spaces will serve as hubs where future generations of innovators can grow.
The project is built on the collaboration of several institutions. In addition to Košice IT Valley, key partners include the Košice Self-Governing Region, the Košice Region Innovation Centre, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at the Technical University of Košice. IT companies and students from the Department of Computers and Informatics at FEI TUKE are also actively involved in mentoring and support.
Once again, Košice IT Valley demonstrates that supporting young people is more than just a phrase—it’s a long-term investment in the future of a region with the potential to become a major player in innovation and technology.
Learn more about the project at: www.labitcreativity.sk
