Czech and British scientists share innovating ideas

There is a saying in Czech - "Zlate Ceske rucicky", which translates as "golden Czech hands", and points to the nation's unique ability to create and innovate under even the worst of conditions. Great Britain, known as one of the most innovative countries in the world today in the field of science, has launched a new project to get British scientists to work alongside some of their "golden-handed" Czech counterparts. The idea is to get them to work in concert to find ways of improving and speeding up the process of innovation. The project, under the auspices of the British Embassy in Prague, focuses on innovation policy, the legislation framework, case studies from Czech and UK innovation parks, and the exchange of experience and knowledge. Dita Asiedu spoke to the British Embassy's Science and Technology Officer, Dr. Otakar Fojt:

Photo: European Commission

"Of the new EU member states, the Czech Republic is one of the most innovative and that is why Great Britain decided to set up a post of attaché scientific in their embassy in Prague. That is also why we are organising these mutual conferences, seminars, and workshops, to share their experiences and to develop a bit further. The Czech Republic has great potential with the Academy of Sciences and many universities, both in general and technological fields and what is needed at the moment is just to grab these opportunities and move them forward from the end of research to the commercialisation of the ideas to the successful companies and businesses."

RP: Is there something that the UK can learn from us here?

"I think that the UK can learn many things as well but mainly how to do research with much less money because that is the traditional Czech way that Czech researchers have to go with."

RP: Can you give us some concrete examples, where Czechs have proven that they are good at innovating?

"One of the good examples is Otto Wichterle, the inventor of contact lenses. This is something to show to the rest of the world and Czechs are proud of this professor."

RP: Is there something from the more modern past, from the last decade?

"I am aware of only some of them and I wouldn't like to pinpoint just one and forget about all the others, but there is very good quality of stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research in the Czech Republic. There are also very good research projects in biotechnology and some very promising projects in nanotechnologies and in many other fields, including new materials. The Czech Republic used to be a very innovative country with high technology potential, even throughout the Communist times, and this potential remains in the country and goes forward."