Opening to each other within the ''Znanje žanje (Harvesting Knowledge)'' project is mutual
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the ''Znanje žanje (Harvesting Knowledge)'' project, a lecture was held by Denis Đonlagić, full professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics of Maribor University.
As pointed out in the introductory address by Pavel Gantar, the National Assembly Speaker, the National Assembly intends to continue the ''Znanje žanje'' project, prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MHEST). In his words, knowledge is the most profitable investment in the future.
Dr József Györkös, State Secretary at the MHEST, who also attended this lecture, said: "Opening to each other within the ''Znanje žanje'' project is mutual. The project's aim is not solely to familiarise MPs with concrete scientific achievements in Slovenia. The ''Znanje žanje'' project can also help scientists get a feeling about the power they have in the society and the extent to which they still need to fight for it."
Professor Đonlagić gave a lecture on photonic technologies and optical fibre sensors, stressing their importance in everyday life. Photonics is the science of light. The beginnings of photonic technologies date back to 1960, when the first laser was manufactured. "During the fifty years of their existence and over the last two decades, in particular, photonic technologies have had a significant influence on our lives", Professor Đonlagić said. Modern telecommunications and internet technologies, in fact, are based on optical telecommunications networks.
He provided data on the fast progress in the field of photonic technologies. In 2005, the volume of production based on photonic systems amounted to 228 billion euros, of which the European share amounted to 43 billion euros. In 2006, this figure had risen to 49 billion euros. According to Professor Đonlagić, the photonic industry in Europe has already surpassed microelectronics. On the basis of the predictions of the European technological platform, Photonics 21, the volume of global production related to photonic technologies is expected to amount to 450 billion euros by 2015.
Slovenia, too, can claim to have a remarkable industrial tradition in the field of photonics. The first targeted industrial research dates back to 1964, in the then Iskra company. This gave rise to the Iskra-elektrooptika company (today's Fotona). After 1990, the former company shrank considerably and its R&D core was dissolved, but this resulted in the establishment of a number of smaller companies, which have become successful in the field of photonics. Professor Đonlagić mentioned increased interest in the development of photonic technology from bigger and more traditionally oriented Slovenian companies. He believes that photonic technologies constitute an important challenge for the national economy and it would indeed be a pity if Slovenian companies did not seize such an opportunity.
The next lecture in the National Assembly within the ''Znanje žanje'' project will be held on 25 March 2010 at 9 a.m. It will be presented by Mr Peter Panjan of IJS (Institut Jožef Stefan) and is entitled Plasma Surface Engineering as the Basis of Modern Technologies.