Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe

2. Photonics Research and Innovation Challenges
93
by academic/research institutions when offering
access to the public) as a means of providing
a deeper understanding of the technology,
and enabling a better knowledge of recent photonics
innovations.
n Prizes: Different prize awarding models should
be considered for motivating students:
n Teams of youngsters competing in
games and competitions on specific
topics of industrial relevance, held at
a European level and organised by
suitable stakeholders
n Individual prizes following the example
of the existing ‘Student Innovation
Award’ promoted by Photonics21
n Individual or group prizes for activities
related to the promotion and dissemination
of photonics (possibly also
related to non-photonics events, such
as art shows, etc.)
n Individual or group prizes for secondary
school teachers in recognition of their
commitment to photonics related
activities.
Photonics Scienceshow. © VUB
Post-doc scientist using
laser light to study fundamental
interactions in materials.
© Politecnico di Milano
2. Higher Education
The European Commission has recently launched a
High Level Group on the Modernisation of Higher
Education. It is recommended that a strong participation
of the photonics community within such
a group should be considered, both to bring its
experience and to make sure that photonics related
issues and needs are taken into account, particularly
since these needs will be common to all Science
and Technology topics, and in particular to KETs.
3. Mobility of students and young researchers
It is recommended that the Commission increases
the number of photonics professionals participating
in the evaluation committees of all-level mobility
programs, such as Erasmus and Marie Curie actions.
It is also recommended that the Commission communicates
and disseminates photonics related projects
that already exist under different schemes.
4. Lifelong learning/Vocational training
Several universities, research centres and private
companies are already active in offering training
and short courses (the latter mainly in connection
with large conferences/technical exhibitions)
for professionals at all levels, from technicians to
R&D and business managers. An effort should be
made to create a database of existing modules,