Scintillating Ukraine-Europe partnership
Ukraine has partnered with France in the EU-funded project 'Strengthening Ukraine and EU research cooperation in the field of material sciences' (SUCCESS)(opens in new window) to create mutually beneficial outcomes regarding scintillation materials for commercial markets. Two universities along with a French organisation specialising in coaching international collaborations and a non-profit Ukrainian business incubator formed a winning combination of academic expertise and business know-how.The Institute for Scintillation Materials of Academy of Science of Ukraine (ISMA), the project coordinator, is a leading Ukrainian organisation particularly active in the field of 'Materials Sciences'. The French university Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1 has provided stimulating scientific exchange throughout the three-year project duration.Now nearing its close, SUCCESS has lived up to its namesake. Twinning activities between the two universities have resulted in prolific joint research, organisation of joint conferences and mutual participation in international events. The strong ties that have been created promise to extend well beyond the project itself.SUCCESS supported ISMA staff participation in numerous international events to increase the opportunities for networking and enhance the cooperation between ISMA and the EU. In addition, ISMA and Ukrainian staff received training on the workings of the EC’s Seventh Framework Programme to facilitate better access to funding.Project scientists have formed an exit strategy focused on improving European research in the field of radiation detection technology to compete with USA and Asia. By overcoming existing fragmentation, SUCCESS will continue to strive for a pan-European community with a united research agenda for enhanced competitiveness and rapid discovery and commercialisation.