Looking Ahead: FunGlass Discussed Its Future Strategy

On 6 October 2026, FunGlass hosted a joint meeting of its Scientific Board, International Advisory Board and Industry Board at the FunGlass Centre of the Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín. The meeting brought together FunGlass representatives, internationally recognised experts and industry representatives to discuss the Centre’s research and innovation priorities and its strategy for the coming period.

The meeting was chaired by Prof. Dušan Galusek, Director of FunGlass. Members of the FunGlass Scientific Board – Prof. Enrico Bernardo (University of Padova), Prof. Alicia Durán (CSIC Madrid) and Prof. Lothar Wondraczek (Friedrich Schiller University Jena) – took part in person, together with representatives of the International Advisory Board and Industry Board, who joined the meeting online.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the current research and innovation activities of FunGlass and to discuss priorities for its further development. Heads of the FunGlass research departments presented their R&I strategies and plans, highlighting the main research directions, ongoing activities and future opportunities within their respective fields.

A dedicated part of the meeting focused on funding and projects. The Scientific Board members also shared recommendations and suggestions for new initiatives that could strengthen FunGlass’s research profile and international position.

Members of the International Advisory Board and Industry Board also participated in the meeting virtually, including Prof. Lili Hu (Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Prof. Himanshu Jain (Lehigh University), Prof. Dr. Sener Oktik (Şişecam Science and Technology Center), Prof. Edgar D. Zanotto (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) and Erik Muijsenberg (Glass Service). Their participation provided an opportunity to present the progress achieved by FunGlass and to maintain dialogue with its international academic and industrial partners.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the strategy for the upcoming period, led by Prof. Dušan Galusek. The discussion addressed the future direction of FunGlass across several key areas, including scientific excellence, networking, knowledge valorisation, digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), research facilities as well as opportunities for further development and strengthening of the Centre.

The joint meeting highlighted the importance of international cooperation, interdisciplinary research and strong links with industry in advancing FunGlass’s mission and supporting its continued development as an internationally recognised centre for functional and surface-functionalised glass research.