Representatives of National Science Foundation visit RCPTM

Representatives of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and RCPTM discussed the possibilities of close collaboration on Friday, December 13. The meeting took place on RCPTM’s premises and was attended by the management of the centre, heads of the research groups, and postdocs and PhD students.

A delegation of four Program Directors of the US National Science Foundation, consisted of Fred Kronz, Vyacheslav Lukin, Roxanne Nikolaus and Amarda Shehu, stayed in the Czech Republic for a week. “In Olomouc, the US side expressed its interest in getting to know the research activities of Palacký University, primarily RCPTM’s research into nanotechnology,” said Martin Kudláček, the Vice-Rector for International Relations.

The aim of the meeting was not only to present activities of the RCPTM’s research groups, but also to talk about past and present collaborations with US partners and pinpoint areas for the future.

“We introduced the delegation from the USA to the organization of the research, the network of international collaborations and RCPTM’s research activities in the field of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. At the meeting, we specified the advantages and challenges of mutual cooperation between the Czech Republic and the USA. Our postdocs and PhD students actively participated in this fruitful discussion as well, alongside the leaders of the research groups. They shared their experiences and asked about possible support. I believe that some of the ideas introduced at the meeting will eventually lead to enhancing our cooperation,” said Michal Otyepka, Executive Director of RCPTM.

NFS is an independent governmental agency in the USA responsible for supporting fundamental research, primarily by means of providing research resources. It arranges research grants for universities or individuals in particular.