On March 18–19th 2025 the SWEB project core team led by Dr.Juris Purans visited Daugavpils University to strengthen ties, exchange best practices in capacity building, and explore future opportunities for collaboration. During this productive two-day visit, participants discussed co-research possibilities, including student exchanges within the year and the shared use of key research infrastructure—such as the sputtering station and atomic force microscope (AFM)—to advance joint publications and enhance scientific outcomes.
Leaders of the ISSP UL TFL recently established research teams, Dr. Polyakov and Dr. Zubkins, participated in roundtable discussions aimed at identifying new prospects for cooperation within upcoming state-funded grant programs. The dialogues highlighted the value of collaborative research and underscored the importance of forging strong, sustainable partnerships across institutions.
In a major step toward formalizing these initiatives, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Juris Purans (SWEB Project Manager and Head of the ISSP UL Thin Film Laboratory) and Dr. Dr. Vjačeslavs Gerbreders (Head of the G. Liberta Innovative Microscopy Centre at Daugavpils University). This agreement paves the way for deeper joint research efforts, resource sharing, and knowledge exchange between the two organizations.
This milestone event represents a significant stride in the SWEB project’s mission to strengthen the common European Research Area, showcasing the value of cross-border partnerships in driving scientific excellence and fostering innovation. Both sides look forward to building on the strong foundations established during the visit, anticipating further progress in the months and years to come.