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On Friday, June 12, 2026, the second edition of SCI-CONNECT 2026, held under the theme Science without Borders, took place on the lawn in front of the Centre for Advanced Materials Application of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (CEMEA SAS), in Bratislava. The event focused on international scientific cooperation and fostering an environment where talented researchers from different countries can meet, exchange experiences and establish new partnerships.

Organised by CEMEA SAS, the event welcomed representatives of the Presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak and international researchers, doctoral students, and partners from academia and the innovation sector. Gregor Mareš hosted the event. The opening remarks were delivered by the President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Martin Venhart, followed by former SAS President Pavol Šajgalík, who briefly introduced the centre and reflected on its early years.

One of the highlights of the programme was an informal discussion with young international research leaders. Joining the moderator on stage were Prangya Sahoo from India, Hakan Ünsal from Türkiye, Gianmarco Taveri from Italy, Anna Kityk from Ukraine and James Asher from the United Kingdom. The audience learned about their research topics, their personal experiences of building scientific careers in Slovakia, and how they perceive life in the country. They also shared amusing reflections on stereotypes associated with their home countries. Accompanied by musical excerpts from their countries of origin, the discussion offered inspiration, humour and a vivid demonstration of how cultural diversity enriches modern science.

The stage programme continued with a discussion on support for young researchers, featuring members of the SAS Presidium, Martin Nosko and Dana Jurkovičová, as well as Beáta Czuczorová Akkaya, the EURAXESS representative at SAS. The speakers presented opportunities for international mobility, doctoral studies, grant schemes and practical support available to international researchers.

Technology transfer and the commercialisation of research results were also important parts of the event. Miroslav Kubiš, Head of the SAS Technology Transfer Office, and Kvetoslava Vranková from the InQb STU incubator introduced opportunities for intellectual property protection, industry cooperation, and the establishment of spin-off companies. The discussion highlighted how scientific knowledge can be translated into practical applications while creating new opportunities for researchers.

The afternoon concluded with an informal networking session dedicated to cultural exchange and building new professional connections. Participants had the opportunity to discover traditional customs, artefacts and stories from different countries, enjoy international refreshments and continue the conversations initiated during the formal programme.

SCI-CONNECT 2026 once again demonstrated that outstanding science is built not only on excellent research, but also on connecting cultures, fostering mutual respect and creating opportunities for informal encounters that lay the foundations for future collaboration without borders.

Text and photo: Katarína Gáliková