SENARC Research Centre Headquarters Open in Maribor
The headquarters of the Slovenian-European Natural Sciences Research Centre (SENARC) were inaugurated in Maribor on Friday. SENARC is a regional reference laboratory for metrology in chemistry for the Southeastern Europe.
Under the principle "everything in one place" the centre will offer training, research, exchange of know-how and cooperation between experts from the EU and Western Balkans.
The centre is important for the transfer of knowledge to the states of the Western Balkans, European Commissioner for Science and Technology Janez Potocnik said at the opening.
Potocnik said transfer of information was important for Slovenia during its accession to the EU, while now this region was in the same situation.
According to him, the implementation of European legislation means not only having the right laws but also having the knowledge and experience to get these laws put into effect.
Potocnik said the European Commission was helping countries in the region to develop necessary skills, while SENARC was just an example of its commitment to helping Western Balkans countries join the EU.
Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Jure Zupan said it was Slovenia's responsibility as an EU member to contribute something to the region that was once its source of information. SENARC is not about teaching but about transferring knowledge, from which everyone will benefit, Zupan said.
SENARC's representative Milko Novic said the aim of the centre was transfer of knowledge and scientific cooperation in implementation of the European legislation connected with the quality of life, such as environment protection, food safety and people's health.
It will also enable training of scientists from the Southeastern Europe and offer a chance for exchange of knowledge. SENARC is based on EU instruments of pre-accession aid and structural funds.
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