On April 18, the Slovak University of Technology organized an event called "Expanding horizons with STU - partnership opportunities in the heart of Europe" at the premises of the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU in Brussels. Its aim was to present leading research projects and lay foundations for extended international cooperation.
The target audience were representatives of various technical universities and university alliances, regional and national representations, as well as EU agencies and institutions. Besides STU, the event was attended by representatives of the SR ministries, the Bratislava self-governing region and industrial partners such as SPP. Maroš Šefčovič, the Vice President of the European Commission, delivered his video address highlighting the topicality of the event in the European context. The full address can be viewed below.
"The STU scientists presented the topics they deal with at individual STU Faculties and that are also addressed by the European Commission. We were thus in the very centre of the action, which provides more opportunities for STU, including the involvement in various international projects, grants and collaborations, which were inaccessible to us until now. We presented our strengths and important research projects to the key interested parties in Brussels, demonstrating our capability to be a beneficial and full-fledged partner in international cooperation," commented Maximilián Strémy, STU Vice-Rector for strategic projects, development, innovation and practice.
The event of "Broadening horizons with STU - partnership opportunities in the heart of Europe" was divided into several blocks with presentations focused on currently important topics in Europe - semiconductors, advanced materials, green technologies, smart city concepts and smart mobility. It ended with a reception symbolically dedicated to opening of the STU Office in Brussels last year - the first permanent representation of a university from Slovakia and the second from the V4 region.
"Many thanks to the Management of the University and its Faculties, scientists and other representatives who supported the event and the Office and provided excellent STU presentation. This is how a modern university should act. The responses are really excellent, from all, foreign universities, partners from the EULiST alliance, as well as from the European Commission or the European Parliament representatives," added Vice-Rector Strémy.
The above-mentioned STU activity was to demonstrate its determination to the European partners to be a relevant player in Europe and to confirm that it disposes the necessary professional capacities to effectively contribute to international research efforts. In addition, this kind of events could potentially help build a platform for strengthening relations between countries that have so far been less involved in European projects - the so-called Widening Countries - and more active parts of the continent.
