Danica Ramljak, PhD, Director General of the RBI Holds Press Conference
Danica Ramljak, PhD, held her second press conference since assuming the role of Director General at the RBI in May of 2009. Danica Ramljak, PhD, announced plans for this year’s 60th anniversary celebration of the founding of the RBI which will encompass a variety of events throughout the year including a gala event on June 9, 2010 to be held in the Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall in Zagreb.
Mirjana Maksić, PhD, coordinator of the the RBI celebration events, outlined a series of events that will take place throughout the year including a ceremony dedicated to the RBI’s founder Ivan Supek, PhD, and numerous public lectures by the RBI scientists.
Danica Ramljak, PhD, emphasized her desire to hold regular press conferences throughout her mandate in order to raise awareness of the RBI activities and outlined several activities that have been initiated in the process of restructuring the RBI including informatization of the RBI processes and administration, external scientific evaluations of the RBI divisions and creation of a new visual identity for the Institute.
Danica Ramljak, PhD, highlighted her activities toward strengthening collaborations with scientific institutions in Finland particularly in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology including her recent visit to Finland a country that invests 3.7% of BDP in science and education. She also highlighted collaborative projects that have been initiated between the RBI and Končar, the RBI and the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs in relation to future NATO collaborations, as well as initiatives to strengthen ties with the University of Zagreb and the Institute for Physics (IFS).
Danica Ramljak, PhD, announced that this year international collaborations will be intensified particularly with the following countries, Slovenia, France, Canada, USA, Germany, Israel and Australia.
In addition, Danica Ramljak, PhD, reported on several educational initiatives aimed at intensifying collaboration on American projects through the NIH, as well as reporting that IRB was now included in the network for the mobility of researchers in the EU.
Danica Ramljak, PhD, also announced the creation of an advisory board consisting of members from all sectors of Croatian society including the media. An announcement was also made about the upcoming memorial event (March 16 2010) for Prof. Greta-Pifat-Mrzljak who recently passed away.
Lastly, Danica Ramljak, PhD, announced that the traditional the RBI Open House event will be held on May 6 to 8 as part of the 60th anniversary series of events at the the RBI. Ivanka Jerić, PhD, coordinator, of the Open House event announced that 16 laboratories will open their doors to the public during the 3 day event and welcomed all members of the general public to attend this very popular event.