ICS world-wide network

Among the most important recommendations resulting from conferences, workshops and other events organised by, or in which ICS participated, is the need to strengthen the efforts to enable researchers, scientists and students from developing countries and countries in economic transition to access knowledge and technology through operative networks, mainly in scientific fields that represent a convergence of several different sciences and topics (i.e. physics, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology, etc.) such as nanosciences and nanotechnology, next generation biofuels, etc.

In such framework, researchers, scientists and students from developing countries and countries in economic transition can access knowledge and technology through a portfolio of research projects ready to be implemented within research centres, laboratories, universities and industries (active members of the network), in addition to traditional activities such as workshops, expert group meetings, seminars and advanced training courses (in the form of fellowship programmes), as well as databases and the ICS web-sitefor an effective exchange of information.

Therefore, it is of key importance to enhance the network of institutions that ICS may collaborate with in the future.  Furthermore, the network could strengthen international co-operation for the creation of materials/products that can be webcasted for the use of different individuals and institutions in developing countries and countries in economic transition, through the ICS e-learning project.

The experience gained in the biennium 2007-2008 in setting up a Network of Innovation Centres in the field of Nanotechnology (Africa) and of High Technology (Latin America) has been taken into account in implementing the ICS world-wide network.

Members of ICS network

• centres of excellence based in industrialised countries and in developing countries/countries in economic transition, which represent ICS partners, to conduct joint activities, research and projects in line with the ICS core programmes.  The Centres of excellence should be well qualified to host ICS activities
• partner-institutions in developing countries and countries in economic transition, which are mainly ministerial and governmental agencies, international organisations, regional consortia, etc.  They are interlocutors to assist ICS in conducting activities and joint programmes
• individual focal points/persons collaborating with ICS.  These are high qualified scientists who should assist ICS in conducting activities and joint programmes

Instruments of ICS network: main tools/services

• integrated databases and portal: management tool and additional visibility
• appropriate training contents relevant to the four ICS core scientific programmes easily available to network members at no cost
• dynamic virtual network of research centres/institutions which can actively participate on-line in ICS events, as well as in periodical virtual meetings on laboratory matters with teams of scientists dealing with the same research project or performing research activities in related fields
• distance tutoring to research projects carried out within the labs of the network