Director General Dr. Ramljak elaborated the strategy and vision of RBI and the efforts being made to raise the level and quality of research at the Institute with the goal of becoming internationally recognized.

Dr. Ramljak particularly pointed out the ongoing process of restructuring the Institute including the upcoming first international evaluation of the Institute, the first such evaluation of any research organization in Croatia. In addition, Dr. Ramljak presented the strategy underway for forging strategic alliances with leading scientific institutions abroad.

Given the United States’ leading role in technology transfer within research organizations and the importance of this process to economic development, Dr. Ramljak informed the ambassador of the activities of RBI in technology transfer and the formation of spin-off companies based on RBI research.

Ambassador Foley offered his full support to the Director General’s idea of proactively partnering with American and European centres of excellence and offered the embassy’s help in strengthening cooperation between RBI and US institutions. The ambassador also expressed his support for the RBI initiated Embassy Series of lectures to begin in September 2010. The Embassy series will be a venue for ambassadors accredited in Croatia to give lectures aimed at promoting their countries science and technology initiatives.

Following the meeting, the ambassador toured the Institute and expressed great interest in the Institute’s current and future projects.