As the newly elected Head of the leading scientific institution in Croatia, Danica Ramljak will continue promoting the best fundamental scientific research of the Institute. She will focus on the Institute`s goals and mission with a special emphasis on the priorities that she has set upon taking over her duty, and which comply with the Institute`s new strategy currently being defined by the special Committee of the RBI Scientific Council.

National science and technology policies must be integrated across regions if we are to optimize the opportunities for global economic development. Now, more than ever, scientific community seeks to establish closer international cooperation, which is crucial both in the context of the research itself, and for supporting knowledge-based innovations and industrial and social renewal of each country. Dr Ramljak will therefore continue promoting excellence in basic research and the inclusion of RBI in the European system of scientific centers of excellence. She will encourage scientists, especially young people, to participate in internationally financed projects and reviews of European research projects. New Director will focus on improving the integration of all RBI units as well as institutional cooperation between the RBI and leading scientific institutions in the world.

The evolution of technology, the economy and global society in recent years has raised a number of challenges of a fundamental nature for RBI. The most fundamental of all is perhaps the new attention that is directed at intellectual property. The management of this climate change in the world of intellectual property is itself a major task. As the member of European Commission Expert team for reviewing EU projects Dr Ramljak will actively encourage the presence of RBI scientists in Brussels and participation in the education of youth through collaboration with the Croatian and world universities. Due to her personal experience with the international model of technology transfer and innovation development, Dr Ramljak will help the RBI to develop a new model of technology transfer that will enable the development of innovations in conformity with the vision of the Institute as well as national and European priorities.

The new Director pointed out she would insist on strengthening connections of Croatian scientists in the Diaspora with the Institute through the cooperation on the joint projects and through the establishment of special funds for financial support to the Institute.

'It is my wish that the Institute always leaves its door opened for the scientists from the Diaspora and the world scientists who I believe will significantly contribute to raising the visibility of our Institute as a center of excellence in European and international science community. This is a joint project which should include top experts, and the results will come.' said Dr Ramljak.