FECYT supports Spanish scientists in Denmark and the internationalization of science

On February 27th, the Society of Spanish Scientists in Denmark (CED_SFD) organized in Aarhus, with the support of the Embassy of Spain in Copenhagen, FECYT and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the event "Breaking down Borders in Research". The event focused on three main goals: to break borders between basic research and innovation, to build bridges between Danish and Spanish scientific systems and finally, to discuss strategies for a better internationalization of science. The event was moderated by the president and by the vice president of CED_SFD, Darío Vazquez and Paula Fernández, respectively, and it was inaugurated by the Ambassador of Spain in Denmark, Enrique Pastor of Gana. During the morning session, attendees were able to learn, from the president of the Danish Council for Independent Research for Technology and Production, Professor Søren Rud Keiding, and from Professor Susana Borrás, from the Copenhagen Business School, the Danish strategies to convert scientific knowledge into real innovations. In order to exemplify this knowledge transfer, the representatives of Evolva Biotech A/S Carlos Casado Vázquez, and John Smedegaard from HachIT Lab Aarhus University, presented their professional pathways thus, stories of scientists who overcome the gap between the lab and the companies.

In the second session, the vice-dean and head of the graduate school of Health at the University of Aarhus, Professor Lise Wogensen introduced her university strategies to promote the internationalization of science. The participation of Professor Jørgen Frøkiaer, president of the Danish Council for Independent Research for Medical Science was fundamental to understand the importance of internationalization of science and how the public funding agencies in Denmark encourage it. During the subsequent panel discussion, the representative of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), Dr. Guillermo Orts, presented the work done by FECYT supporting the communities of Spanish scientists abroad and promoting the internationalization of Spanish science system. Finally, the president of the Society of Spanish Scientists in Sweden (ACES-SFFS), Professor Hugo Gutierrez, highlighted the importance of partnerships of scientists abroad in the task of dissemination of scientific knowledge and as builders of bridges between countries.

Photos taken by Rasa Pa.