The NATO Science Technology Organization collaborative panels, one of the key advisory bodies of the alliance for defence research and innovation, met in May at Palacký University. The prestigious conference was hosted by the UP Faculty of Arts, which thus joined the ranks of selected European institutions that have had the opportunity to participate in the organisation of an international scientific meeting within the North Atlantic Alliance.
NATO SCI and SET panel meetings are usually held twice a year, and their organisation is taken care of by individual NATO member states in turn. Due to their number, the Czech Republic takes over the organisation approximately once every fifteen years. This year, an offer to hold the meeting outside the capital city was accepted, allowing the centre of international science diplomacy to move temporarily to Olomouc.
Commenting on the meeting, John-Mikal Størdal, Director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office (CSO), said, “Conferences such as this SCI and SET panel meeting provide valuable scientific topics and research initiatives that have a direct impact on the capability of the Alliance’s forces in terms of actual deployment. They contribute to strengthening NATO’s ability to counter potential threats and to meet its defence and security commitments.”
The meeting was attended by more than 100 representatives from NATO member countries, including top defence research experts, analysts, and international research structures representatives. “We value the Alliance and we are grateful for our membership, especially in these turbulent times. It should be noted that mainly defence researchers came to Olomouc. Palacký University scientists were thus given a unique opportunity to present their results at this forum, which was essentially closed to the public, and to apply for broad cooperation and further grant support. I am very glad that linguists representing my home Faculty of Arts could also actively participate,” said Jan Stejskal, UP Faculty of Arts Dean.
Discussions took place not only in the premises of the Faculty of Arts, but also in the Rector’s Office historic fresco conference room, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Fort Science interactive centre. The conference programme was accompanied by educational and cultural activities.
Special thanks for their support – along with personal attendance – go to UP Rector Michael Kohajda and his predecessor Martin Procházka. “It is certainly a great honour for our university to participate in the organisation of an event where the Alliance’s advisory bodies representatives could meet, and I’d love to thank all my colleagues who contributed to the success of the event. At the same time, it was a great opportunity for us to present ourselves as a reliable partner for possible collaboration with the top international structures of the Alliance that is so crucial for freedom and security in the world,” added Rector Kohajda. The students and organisers from the Faculty of Arts, who gained valuable experience in organising an international meeting of this format, also played a significant role in making the event a resounding success.
