A new era dawned in the field of research co-operation between the European Union and Japan last week as the European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik, officially launched the network of European Researchers in Japan.
“European researchers working in Japan represent a patrimony of knowledge and experience. They are the Ambassadors of European research in Japan and this network will be an important tool for reinforcing research collaboration between Europe and Japan”, Potocnik said in a statement.
Attracted by the strategic position of Japan in worldwide R&D, the Commission targeted several thousands European researchers living there for the European Researchers Abroad initiative. Consulting through an on-line survey, the European Commission found that researchers working in Japan pronounced themselves very much in favour of this network (74 percent of the respondents) and expressed their specific needs: to develop their contacts and get access to information on career development, research funding and Europe- Japan cooperation opportunities.
The Commission said in a statement that the tool set up for them, “will answer these needs with interactive tools of information and networking.” “It will provide European researchers working in Japan with practical information about research funding in Europe, research career opportunities, and other opportunities to work in or with Europe, as well as information on events or publications,” it added.
Japan and the EU together accounts for about 40 percent of the world’s GDP and are amongst each other’s main trade and investment partners. Both partners are convinced that research and innovation are at the heart of a successful strategy to address the challenges of industrial competitiveness and sustainable development. As part of this strategy, researchers represent a golden resource that should benefit from specific facilities to network and identify professional opportunities.
- A website with targeted information on sources of research funding in Europe, research career opportunities, and other opportunities to work in or with Europe (at Member State and EU level) - E-mail alerts to members signaling new opportunities; - An e-newsletter with articles of specific interest to the European science community abroad. This will include articles about R&D breakthroughs and policy developments, on-going international collaboration, news from members, etc. - Information on networking, meetings and events for members in the country and region where they are based - Participation in /organization of career fairs and workshops providing a forum for researchers to meet with European industry, research institutions and other potential employers - Networking features on the website: Interactive tools will offer researchers the possibility to exchange information (web forum, bulletin board) Japan is now the second country, after the US, where such a network is launched. In the US, more than 3500 European Researchers have joined the initiative officially launched by Commissioner Potocnik in June 2006.