The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) hosted its 11th Annual Meeting of Technical and Management Staff for Internationalization in Madrid. The event gathered management professionals from various institutes of the organization to debate the main challenges of international research, the impact of artificial intelligence on scientific management, and the prospects of the European Union's future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
The meeting was inaugurated by the president of the CSIC, Eloísa del Pino, who reviewed the challenges facing European science in an increasingly competitive international context and highlighted the strategic importance of international relations for strengthening the institution. Subsequently, the Vice President for International Relations, Isabel Martínez, presented the main lines of work and initiatives promoted by the CSIC to foster international scientific cooperation and reinforce the participation of its centers in European and international programs.
Moira Torrent, from the CSIC Office in Brussels, provided an update on the future Tenth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation of the European Union (FP10). During her presentation, she addressed some of the main European debates related to the program's second pillar, the future of LIFE, the European Competitiveness Fund, artificial intelligence, and other strategic priorities of the European Union, leading to an interesting exchange of questions with the attendees.
Among the various interventions, the participation of Miguel Vega, head of the Project Management and Dynamization Unit (UGDP) of the Royal Botanical Garden (RJB-CSIC), stood out. He presented the IM4S (Integrated Management for Science) initiative within the session dedicated to innovative experiences in research management.
Under the title “From problems to building solutions: the IM4S experience,” Vega explained how this network, created to address common challenges for research support offices, has brought together professionals from six CSIC management units to improve the efficiency and professionalization of scientific management through the exchange of experiences, the development of common tools, and the identification of joint opportunities.
In just over a year, the initiative has consolidated a working group of about twenty professionals from different CSIC institutes, centers, and units, serving as an example of the value of internationalization meetings in generating new collaboration networks.
The presentation was part of the “Inspiring Ideas” block, alongside contributions from Alicia Pelegrina on the creation and consolidation of the Institutional Strategy Unit of the Andalusian Institute of Astrophysics, and from Claudia García and Eduardo Mota on the Knowledge Management of the “Daza de Valdés” Optics Institute, focusing on integrated management models based on collaboration and mutual support. The various interventions highlighted the growing role of management units as strategic structures to support scientific activity, facilitate funding acquisition, and strengthen cooperation among CSIC institutes.
In conclusion, the 11th Meeting of Technical Staff for Internationalization once again established itself as a benchmark forum for sharing experiences, anticipating trends, and reinforcing the CSIC's capacity to face the challenges of increasingly international, collaborative science oriented towards major global challenges.
