Photo exhibition from OP JAK projects starts in Olomouc. TECHSCALE is also included
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports presents successful projects from the Jan Amos Comenius Operational Program (OP JAK) in the form of a travelling photo exhibition. The first stop is Horní náměstí in Olomouc, where it can be viewed until May 25. Among the selected projects there is also TECHSCALE – Technologies beyond the nanoworld, led by a physical chemist Michal Otyepka from CATRIN, Palacký University. In addition to scientific laboratories, the exhibition also looks into classrooms.
“I am very glad that TECHSCALE was selected among the presented projects. I really appreciate the idea of presenting at least some of them to the public, which is why we at CATRIN were happy to cooperate in preparing the exhibition. It is important to explain to people how European Union funds are helping to transform Czech education and research,” said Michal Otyepka.
In the current programming period from 2021, OP JAK has already supported 11,800 projects for CZK 67 billion, which contribute to improving the quality of education and create conditions for top-notch research with international outreach. TECHSCALE responds to societal challenges such as climate change, the energy crisis and the need to improve the quality of life by developing a new generation of nanomaterials for applications in energy, catalysis, sensing, but also theranostics. The project also includes assessing social impacts and public acceptance of new technologies. For this reason, the research team brings together representatives of natural, human and social sciences. Within Palacký University, CATRIN cooperates with experts from the faculties of Arts, Medicine and Law, the Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty and the Faculty of Health Sciences, with partners being Charles University and CEITEC – VUT.
The exhibition panels capture through photographs three other top research projects dealing with excellent research in regenerative medicine, modernization of research and discovery equipment, and the use of modern technologies for brain research and improving the treatment of mental and neurological diseases. Educational projects show stories of how European funds help develop talent, skills, and chances for a better future. Visitors will see modern dance, animation, and project-based teaching, education in kindergartens, and support of students’ career growth. There are also examples from informal education, such as the scout program or tutoring for Roma children.
The Labyrinth of OP JAK Projects exhibition will visit Olomouc, Brno, Karlovy Vary, and Liberec. Further information about the supported projects is available on the Labyrinth of OP JAK Projects website, where other articles, interviews, and videos about the work of Czech scientists and teachers and the improvement of the educational environment for pupils, students, and youth are also available. Visitors can also participate in a competition held within the exhibition.
The Jan Amos Comenius Operational Program (OP JAK) is a multi-annual thematic program under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, within which it is possible to use financial resources from the European Union structural funds in the 2021–2027 programming period. The total financial allocation is CZK 84 billion, of which CZK 41 billion is intended for supporting research and development, CZK 17 billion for supporting universities and CZK 26 billion for regional education.