Czech-Luxembourg Technology Days 2009

The Technology Days were hosted by the Czernin Palace (seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and were visited by about 90 top researchers, business people and representatives of universities and public authorities. The event was organised by the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CzechInvest Agency, the Joint Czech-Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Luxinnovation – National Agency for Innovation and Research, and, last but not least, the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.

“I am looking forward to the new opportunities that are now opening up before us for research co-operation between our three countries, thanks to the Technology Days”, emphasised Jean Faltz, Luxembourg Ambassador to the Czech Republic. “This is why I am so pleased to see here today so many excellent scientists and other people from related areas.”

“Research, development and innovation are essential for a prosperous society and it is very important in this context to seek and attain common goals. Events such as the Technological Days provide a good basis for the participation of Czech firms and universities in research and development projects on an international basis,” explained Alexandra Rudyšarová, Acting CEO of CzechInvest.

“This meeting is a good opportunity to share our views of how to enhance co-operation to support science and technology and the transfer of technology – particularly its transfer from laboratories to the industrial environment. This is extremely important, especially today when the economy, as we hope, is recovering from the crisis. We are ready to address a number of important issues closely related with the implementation of the ERA 2020 Vision. We will therefore listen with attention to the presentations by all representatives of companies, research institutions and politicians who will explain their views concerning research, development and innovation,”  said Vlastimil Růžička, Vice Minister of Education. 

“Like other advanced countries, the Czech Republic is increasingly focusing its investment-attracting efforts on research and development and on building technological centres,” says Petr Hájek, Chairman of the Control Committee of the Association for Foreign Investments – AFI. “This creates demand for graduates from technological education institutions. However, such graduates are in short supply and therefore it is necessary to support efforts for making scientific and technological education at universities more attractive. The AFI Association seeks to improve the business environment in the Czech Republic and this is why support to co-operation between schools and the private sector is one of our main tasks.” 

Visitors to the Technology Days were greeted by Ambassador Jean Faltz and also by Dana Huňátová, Special Envoy for Science, Technology and Education, Petr Kalaš, Adviser to the Prime Minister, and Vlastimil Růžička, Vice Minister of Education. The environment for science, research and innovation in the Czech Republic was then described by Stanislav Martínek, Director of CzechInvest’s Investment Project Management. Then followed talks on co-operation between the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Belgium, and talks focusing on three key areas:  Advanced Technologies, ICT and Health Science. The final part of the event focused on research, development and innovation in everyday life. 

Invitation to the Technology Days in the Czech Republic was accepted, for example, by representatives of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the Luxinnovation Agency, Henri Tudor Public Research Centre, Gabriel Lippmann Public Research, University of Luxembourg, Public Research Centre for Health Science and others.

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