On March 28, 2025, the University of Pardubice (UPCE) hosted the EOSC CZ Networking event, focused on the practical use of EOSC CZ and e-INFRA CZ services and tools. The event was opened by Vice-Rector for Science and Creative Activity Tomáš Hejduk and data steward Lucie Melicharová, who welcomed representatives of EOSC CZ and members of the academic community.
Veronika Ambrozová, Michaela Capandová and Kateřina Martinovičová introduced the EOSC CZ initiative and presented the services and computing capacities offered by e-INFRA CZ. Jiří Vorel then familiarized participants with additional computing options provided by MetaCentrum and with tools that researchers can start using immediately – and entirely free of charge.
Beyond introducing the EOSC CZ initiative, one of the key highlights of the event was the discussion about the possibilities of using computing tools and services provided by e-INFRA CZ infrastructure – all available to researchers at no cost. The discussion revealed that while researchers at the university have these needs, many were previously unaware of the full extent to which they could benefit from these tools. The event therefore brought not only new insights but also tangible opportunities for the research community.
There was also discussion around the University of Pardubice’s potential involvement in EOSC CZ thematic Working groups and OS II Mini-Projects, which would allow the university to contribute more actively to the development of modern and responsible science in the Czech Republic.
Michaela Capandová from EOSC CZ summarized the impact of the event by saying: "It was a great and refreshing experience. We presented the computing infrastructure behind our initiative — tools researchers can already start using — and it was clear there’s genuine interest. I was also pleased to see that the university has an active data steward, Lucie Melicharová, who not only joins discussions but actively seeks solutions to the challenges the university is facing. Thanks to her commitment, the University of Pardubice is already part of the EOSC CZ initiative, even though it is not yet involved in a specific project."
The EOSC CZ Networking in Pardubice demonstrated just how important it is to raise awareness about existing tools and to connect the academic community with the opportunities already available – opportunities that are just waiting to be seized.
Following the networking event, we also spoke with Professor Michal Holčapek from the Faculty of Chemical Technology at the University of Pardubice. In the interview, Professor Holčapek highlights the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific data sharing in the advancement of lipidomics and early cancer diagnostics. He also touches on the FAIR principles of data management and the challenges associated with open scientific publishing.
Professor Michal Holčapek, a recognized expert in mass spectrometry and lipidomics, emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing. He also discusses the challenges of research evaluation and urges scientists to focus on the essence of problems rather than metrics.
At the beginning of the year, another EOSC CZ Networking event took place at the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), attracting almost 70 experts from 41 institutes of the CAS. The event was unique not only due to its high attendance but also because it provided researchers from various CAS institutes across the country with an opportunity to meet in person and discuss research data management.
