Visit of Professor Gianfranco Pacchioni to Comenius University in Bratislava
On October 6, 2026, Comenius University Bratislava welcomed the distinguished Italian scientist Prof. Gianfranco Pacchioni from the University of Milano-Bicocca and a member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, together with Prof. Paola Bonizzoni from the University of Milano-Bicocca.
The visit took place within the FORGENOM II project and focused on strengthening scientific cooperation, exchanging experience in research policy, and supporting research excellence.
The programme began at the Comenius University Rectorate, where Prof. Pacchioni was received by Rector Prof. Marek Števček, Vice-Rector for Science and Doctoral Studies Prof. Jozef Masarik, and Head of the Comenius University Project Office Mgr. Zuzana Lisoňová. The discussion focused on current challenges in science and research, research assessment, creating a supportive research environment, and opportunities for further international cooperation.
Professor Pacchioni shared his extensive experience in research management and promoting research excellence. He emphasised that the successful development of research requires creating an environment in which researchers feel supported and motivated. This involves not only financial compensation, but also recognition of scientific achievements, effective reward systems, and high-quality administrative support for research projects. He particularly highlighted the importance of professional project support staff and the need to invest in their training and professional development.
Another interesting topic was the support of researchers who, although unsuccessful in securing grant funding, achieved strong results in the evaluation process. According to Professor Pacchioni, universities can provide targeted support to such “near-successful” applicants, thereby increasing their motivation to submit new grant proposals while making effective use of the results of external peer review by expert panels. He also pointed out that only a relatively small proportion of researchers regularly submit grant applications, and that appropriately designed incentive schemes can significantly increase this proportion.
Following the meetings at the Rectorate, the programme continued at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Comenius University, where the guests were welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Peter Fedor. The visit included a tour of selected faculty facilities and unique exhibitions, giving the guests an opportunity to learn more about the faculty’s history, scientific achievements, and current research direction.
A highlight of the programme was Professor Pacchioni’s public lecture entitled “Is Academic Research Declining? From Open Science to the Monopoly of Knowledge”, which took place at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of Comenius University. In his lecture, Prof. Pacchioni addressed the transformation of the research environment, the growing influence of large technology companies on research, and the importance of preserving open, transparent, and publicly accessible science. He emphasised that supporting public research is now important not only from a scientific and economic perspective, but also for safeguarding democratic values and fostering public trust in science.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Comenius University Science Park, where the guests were accompanied by Prof. Tomáš Szemes, Principal Investigator of the FORGENOM II project, and his team. Professor Pacchioni had the opportunity to learn more about the state-of-the-art research infrastructure, laboratories specialising in genomics and bioinformatics, and the current scientific activities carried out at the Comenius University Science Park.
The visit of Professor Gianfranco Pacchioni provided a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the international cooperation of Comenius University Bratislava. At the same time, it brought valuable insights for the development of the university’s research environment and research management, the promotion of grant activities, and the enhancement of the quality of scientific work across the university.
The visit of Professor Gianfranco Pacchioni was part of a series of expert “research visits” organised within the FORGENOM II project, funded under the Horizon Europe programme.
FORGENOM II is a twinning project bringing together Comenius University Bratislava, the University of Milano-Bicocca, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Its aim is to strengthen scientific excellence, foster international cooperation, facilitate knowledge and know-how transfer, and build long-term partnerships among European research institutions.
Through exchange visits, training activities, expert lectures, and joint activities, the project contributes to the development of research capacities in genomics, bioinformatics, and related fields, as well as to the advancement of research management at Comenius University Bratislava.
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