On 14 November 2023 the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food in Skopje, part of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM), hosted an important event – the info day of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). COST is the largest network for cooperation in science and innovation in the world, with more than 45,000 scientists taking part in over 300 ongoing COST actions at any given time.
The event, attended by more than 70 participants, opened with welcome addresses by Prof. Dr Vjekoslav Tanaskovikj, Dean of FASF, Prof. Dr Aleksandar Skeparovski, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at UKIM, and Prof. Zoran T. Popovski, member of the COST Executive Board. They stressed that “taking part in COST actions is key to the development of science in Macedonia and to strengthening international ties”, especially for the scientific careers of young researchers.
Dr Ronald de Bruin, Director of COST, stressed the importance of the programme and reported on the successful participation of scientists and researchers from the Republic of North Macedonia in a large number of COST actions. Prof. Dr Elena Velichkova of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and Prof. Dr Dushica Santa of FASF shared their positive experiences and impressions as participants in the actions.
Mr Elvin Reimink, adviser at COST, presented the details of submitting proposals, while Mr Aleksandar Tutnovski, the national COST coordinator, explained how members are nominated to the actions' management committees.
The event was a forum for ideas, an inspiration for scientists in the Republic of North Macedonia and a starting point for new partnerships. With growing interest and participation, the coming period is expected to be exceptionally successful for scientific research and the exchange of ideas within COST.
For more information and to find out how to take part in future COST events and activities, we encourage you to visit the COST website, www.cost.eu.
