CU representatives visit London to advance nuclear education and research
London, 23 June 2026: CU Vice-Rector for Education and Social Affairs Eva Viglašová and CU Vice-Rector for Science and Doctoral Studies Jozef Masarik took part in a working visit to London as members of a delegation from the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. This formed part of a broader delegation led by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen international cooperation in education and research and support the development of human resources for the nuclear sector.
A key item on the agenda was a working meeting at Imperial College London, where the Slovak representatives followed up on discussions initiated during earlier talks in Bratislava. The meeting was attended by representatives of Imperial College’s Centre for Nuclear Engineering and experts in fields including nuclear materials, energy materials, geomechanics and high-energy physics.
The discussions focused primarily on opportunities for cooperation in developing Nuclear Analytical and Diagnostic Methods, a study programme in nuclear applications currently being developed by Comenius University. The participants considered joint curriculum development, the involvement of international experts in teaching and the use of modern forms of education, including online course delivery. The programme is designed to train specialists with expertise in nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, analytical and diagnostic methods, radiation protection and safety.
Student and university staff exchanges, the development of short intensive educational programmes and further opportunities to internationalise studies were also important topics of discussion.
In the field of research, the partners sought to identify areas of shared interest with strong potential for future projects. The discussion focused particularly on nuclear medicine, pharmaceutical applications of nuclear technologies, the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, seismology, and nuclear and particle physics. Both sides confirmed their interest in developing cooperation through joint research activities, researcher mobility and participation in international grant schemes.
On the second day, the visit continued with a specialist programme at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, where a delegation of Slovak higher education institutions led by Professor Jozef Masarik toured state-of-the-art research facilities. The programme included a visit to the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, one of Europe’s leading centres for neutron and muon research, as well as a tour of the Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility.
The working visit confirmed a growing interest in closer cooperation between Slovak and British universities and research institutions in fields of strategic importance to the development of nuclear technologies, energy and applied research. The contacts established provide a foundation for expanding the educational and research activities of Comenius University Bratislava at the international level.