THE STICS PROJECT THROUGH THE EYES OF STUDENTS

The video “STICS: When Science Shortens the Waiting Line” won First Prize and the Jury Award in the nationwide SAVIA competition “Her Science, Her Story”. The award-winning project was created as an independent initiative by students from the Faculty of Economics at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica and offers an authentic perspective of the younger generation on Slovakia’s innovation ecosystem and the importance of connecting science with practice.

Behind the winning video are students Lívia Lietavová, Sára Zaťková, and Timea Kupcová, who chose to present the STICS project in a way that is clear, visually engaging, and professionally grounded. Their goal was not only to meet the competition requirements, but also to show that science does not have to remain confined to expert reports and strategies. On the contrary, it can be close to people and have a real impact on everyday life.

“We wanted to create a video about the high-quality STICS project, which has the potential to impact society as a whole. It was inspiring for us to see how theory connects with practice and how we, as students, can also contribute to raising awareness of the innovation ecosystem in Slovakia,” said the authors of the award-winning video.

From the first idea to the final cut – entirely in the students’ hands

The award-winning video was created as a fully independent project, with the students overseeing the entire creative process. From the initial idea and script, through the creative concept and visual design, to filming, editing, and post-production, everything was handled by the students themselves. The project was produced without a large crew or professional facilities, but with a clear vision and strong enthusiasm for a topic they genuinely cared about.

An important element of the video was highlighting the role of women scientists and managers involved in the STICS project. Through this, the authors aimed to emphasize the importance of women in science and innovation, while also showing that the younger generation naturally perceives these topics as an integral part of a modern innovation environment.

Behind the scenes: authenticity over perfection

One of the key reasons the video resonated with the expert jury was its authenticity. The script evolved naturally during filming to better capture the project’s dynamics and the energy the students wanted to convey. Each of the authors took on a specific role—from directing and camera work to editing—bringing their own ideas, perspectives, and skills into the final result.

A strong motivation was also the opportunity to showcase the work of women scientists and professionals involved in the STICS project and to demonstrate that innovative projects are not only meaningful on paper, but can genuinely influence the functioning of society and regions.

Double recognition as proof of quality

The video “STICS: When Science Shortens the Waiting Line” received a shared First Prize and the Jury Award, confirming that it impressed not only in terms of formal criteria, but also among professionals from practice. The jury particularly appreciated the originality of the concept, the clarity of the message, the professional level of execution, and the ability to present a complex topic of innovation in a way that is accessible to the general public.

More than a competition video

Over time, the award-winning video has become a strong communication tool for the STICS project and an inspiration for further activities. It shows that science and research can be communicated in a modern, clear, and engaging way—one that appeals not only to the expert community, but also to young people and the wider public.

At the same time, it naturally supports the core values of the STICS project: innovation, collaboration, and the connection between academia and practice. It is proof that when students are given space and trust, they can create outputsų with real impact.