A delegation from Western Balkans University (WBU), led by the University’s President, Prof. Ferdinand Gjana, visited the renowned Francis Crick Institute in London. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse, the Institute’s Director, along with members of his leadership team.
The visit offered WBU representatives an in-depth understanding of the Institute's activities, structure, and collaborative approach. Sir Paul Nurse and his team provided comprehensive information about the Institute’s ongoing research efforts and how it fosters innovation through a multidisciplinary and collaborative model.
The Francis Crick Institute is a unique partnership between six of the world’s leading biomedical research organizations: the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, and King’s College London. This collaborative effort was initiated in response to the Cooksey Report in 2007, which recommended a new approach to funding health research in the UK.
Named after Dr. Francis Crick, one of Britain’s most distinguished scientists and co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, the Crick Institute reflects a pioneering vision. Construction began in 2011, with the Institute becoming operational in April 2015 through the merger of the Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and Cancer Research UK's London Research Institute (LRI). Officially inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in November 2016, the Crick was fully operational by the spring of 2017.
Today, the Francis Crick Institute is home to over 2,000 scientists and staff, organized into more than 100 research groups. These groups include teams from NIMR and LRI, faculty seconded from partner universities, and newly recruited research leaders. The Crick has positioned itself at the forefront of biomedical research, focusing on solving complex challenges in medicine and advancing knowledge to improve human health.
This visit underscores Western Balkans University’s commitment to building meaningful international partnerships and fostering scientific excellence. The insights gained from this engagement align with WBU’s vision of expanding collaboration with leading institutions, providing new opportunities for faculty and students to engage in global research networks.
The visit offered WBU representatives an in-depth understanding of the Institute's activities, structure, and collaborative approach. Sir Paul Nurse and his team provided comprehensive information about the Institute’s ongoing research efforts and how it fosters innovation through a multidisciplinary and collaborative model.
The Francis Crick Institute is a unique partnership between six of the world’s leading biomedical research organizations: the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, and King’s College London. This collaborative effort was initiated in response to the Cooksey Report in 2007, which recommended a new approach to funding health research in the UK.
Named after Dr. Francis Crick, one of Britain’s most distinguished scientists and co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, the Crick Institute reflects a pioneering vision. Construction began in 2011, with the Institute becoming operational in April 2015 through the merger of the Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and Cancer Research UK's London Research Institute (LRI). Officially inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in November 2016, the Crick was fully operational by the spring of 2017.
Today, the Francis Crick Institute is home to over 2,000 scientists and staff, organized into more than 100 research groups. These groups include teams from NIMR and LRI, faculty seconded from partner universities, and newly recruited research leaders. The Crick has positioned itself at the forefront of biomedical research, focusing on solving complex challenges in medicine and advancing knowledge to improve human health.
This visit underscores Western Balkans University’s commitment to building meaningful international partnerships and fostering scientific excellence. The insights gained from this engagement align with WBU’s vision of expanding collaboration with leading institutions, providing new opportunities for faculty and students to engage in global research networks.
