Agreement strengthens link between GSI/FAIR and Polish universities
25.10.2021 |
A new cooperation agreement strengthens the link between GSI/FAIR and the two Polish universities Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WUST) and University Wrocław (UWr). The agreement within the framework of the GET_INvolved program was signed recently in Dresden during the German-Polish-Czech Science Platform, an international science conference at the invitation of Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek in cooperation with the Minister-President of Saxony Michael Kretschmer.
The trilateral science platform was held under the theme "Cross-border innovations for Central Europe". Organized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in close cooperation with the Free State of Saxony, the conference brought together high-ranking representatives from politics, science and research in Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Among others the President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble, the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki and Petr Očko, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, participated.
The platform provided great visions in burning topics such sustainable regional cooperation, Industry 4.0, hydrogen based mobility options for future, industry participation in incubating more startups in a tri- or bilateral framework, existing partnerships and funding programs for mobility of young scientists and students, and also highlighted how can one benefit from exiting partnership. The participants discussed opportunities and challenges of research and innovation for the sustainable economic development of Central Europe.
On the second day, a panel discussion focused on German-Polish cooperation in multilateral-large facilities was held, moderated by Ms. Ministerial Conductor Dr. Oda Keppler from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Professor Paolo Giubellino (Scientific Managing Director of GSI/FAIR, Germany), Alicja Nowakowska (Vice-Chair of Administrative and Finance Committee FAIR, Jagiellonian University Poland), and Professor Maciej Chorowski (Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland) were on the panel. The panel participants educated the audience on how the FAIR project has been an exemplary example of Polish-German cooperation, emphasizing the importance of an international effort, scientific collaboration, and strong business partnerships in bringing cutting-edge technology to big science infrastructure and to the market.
The event marked yet another step in the cooperation based on mutual interests between GSI/FAIR and the Polish universities with the aims to promote mobility opportunities for young students and researchers, create synergies between partners, and facilitate the creation of a framework for conducive capacity building for FAIR's future operation. At the signing ceremony, in presence of State Secretary Professor Wolf-Dieter Lukas, FAIR/GSI and the respective Polish university representatives Professor Przemyslaw Wiszewski, rector of the University of Wrocław, and Professor Maciej Chorowski, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, inked the respective partnership agreements with FAIR managing directors Dr. Ulrich Breuer and Professor Paolo Giubellino. The event was streamed live though the BMBF streaming platform on their website.
Professor Paolo Giubellino said: “The FAIR Project is an international endeavour to build a world-class facility for next-generation scientists. Poland is one of the founding members of FAIR. It brings me great satisfaction to see that two of the premier universities from Poland and FAIR/GSI team up to promote mobility opportunities and support early-stage researchers to cooperate in collaborative research in basic science and advance technologies. International collaborations are essential to improve research quality and to promote talent development. The GET_INvolved partnerships with the University of Wrocław and the Wrocław University of Science and Technology are examples of our fruitful collaboration with Polish universities in creating opportunities for young scientists”.
Professor Przemyslaw Wiszewski said: “The University of Wrocław wishes to conduct joint, top-quality international research together with other research centers. It is important to take advantage of our geographical location for this purpose. Here in Central Europe, where Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany meet, we hope to conduct research and projects that are important on a European scale. Our goal is that in a few years, Europe will hear about a strong international research consortium, in which scientists not only from our three countries work together, but to which, thanks to the strong scientific position, we attract outstanding researchers from all over the world.”
Professor Maciej Chorowski said: “Wrocław University of Science and Technology is a well-recognized center of excellence in cryogenics – a key superconducting high energy accelerator technology. Thanks to the construction of FAIR accelerator complex, we have a unique possibility to develop and deliver state of art components allowing cryostating of superconducting magnets and bus bars. The experience gained at FAIR and other Big Science laboratories allows us to participate actively in hydrogen driven transformation of power generation and mobility. The GET_INvolved partnership with FAIR will help students and young scientists to enter a global research community.”
Professor Dariusz Lydzba said: “At Wrocław University of Science and Technology we strive to become a major European research university. That is why developing international cooperation is so important to us. Not only to show the possibilities and laboratories that we have, but also to make it easier for the scientists from Wrocław Tech to access the solutions that our European partners have. This agreement proves it, but it is also a clear signal that the position of Wrocław University of Science and Technology is getting stronger. I believe that it will be a big step into the future for all the consortium members, and we will not have to wait long for the effects.” (BP)
Further information
For more information on the GET_INvolved program interested persons can contact the respective coordinators Dr. Pradeep Ghosh GSI und FAIR, Pradeep.Ghosh@fair-center.eu), Dr. Jaroslaw Polinksi (WUST, jaroslaw.polinski@pwr.edu.pl) and Professor Eugeniusz Zych (University of Wrocław, prorektor.nauka@uwr.edu.pl).
