Moldovan PM, European Commission experts discuss research, innovation system

Chisinau, 12 July /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip today discussed with a group of European Commission experts solutions and ways of action needed to reform the national research and innovation system, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.  

The PM voiced confidence that the modernization of the research and innovation system was the most suitable way of Moldova’s development as a small state, both in terms of the number of residents and of the area. “The economic development must produce added value through research and innovation and now it is the right time for reform in this sector, which should be carried out in parallel and in synergy with the public administration reform, initiated by the government,” Pavel Filip said.   

The team of international experts, led by Krzysztof Gulda, unveiled to the PM the findings of a survey on the research and innovation system of Moldova and came up with a string of proposals on improving the system’s work and integration into the economic circuit. The report presented contains seven strategic proposals on changing the policies promoted by the government and 24 operational recommendations on reforming the system, in order to upgrade it.

Among the proposals put forward, there are the need to create an entity in charge of financing the research and innovation. According to the survey, this entity must be independent in its work, transparent and efficient, and all financial resources meant for the innovation sector should be concentrated and distributed through the new structure. At the same time, the European experts deem it necessary to remove obstacles and to establish stimuli for the business’ participation in the area of research and innovation, as well as to turn to good account the scientific potential of the Diaspora, so as to motivate young talents for a scientific career.   

The dialogue regarded also an optimum model of organization of the research and innovation system, as well as identifying the institution which has the needed capacities for developing policies and ensuring an efficient leadership. In this respect, the European Commission representatives stressed that there was no ideal example which can be taken over. The European Union member states have implemented diverse organizational formulas; it is important that a purpose of the reform be defined, a clear-cut delimitation of the powers of each institution be delimited within the new organizational formula of the research and innovation system, as well as the needed resources be earmarked, including financial ones.     

The European Commission’s group of experts, within the Policy Support Facility Horizon 2020 (H2020PSF) programme, in November 2015-April 2016 analysed the present work and organization of Moldova’s research and innovation system. The experts also proposed a Roadmap for development and implementation of a reform aimed at improving the quality of investments in research and innovation, upgrading policies and management of the national system. The experts’ team is made up of specialists from Poland, Greece, Austria, Romania and the Netherlands.

(Editor M. Jantovan)