Janevska: After strengthening scientific research in the country, we aim to connect with regional and global networks

Minister of Education Vesna Janevska said that Macedonia has taken important steps in developing scientific research activities at the national level and that attention is now focused on integration into regional and global research networks. She made the comments at the ministerial meeting of the Steering Platform for Research and Innovation for the Western Balkans, being held in Brussels under the organization of the European Commission.

According to Janevska, the science budget has doubled in a short period, a new strategic framework has been drafted, new legal solutions have been prepared, and national research infrastructure has been improved. She stressed that individual innovative initiatives have now been transformed into an organized national innovation ecosystem.

“We have established the National Council for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technological Development, which is responsible for coordinating national activities and initiatives. We have also established a special Agency for Innovation, Scientific and Technological Development and Entrepreneurship, which will facilitate companies’, researchers’ and innovators’ access to financial instruments and services,” Janevska said.

According to the Ministry of Education and Science, the minister said that 7 technology transfer centers, 5 technology incubators and a private science and technology park are operating in Macedonia. Work is also under way to establish a virtual science and technology park, as well as the first technology park to be fully under the competence of the state. She added that the VEZILKA project represents the first national contact point in the European network of artificial intelligence factories.

Janevska stressed that the current priority is to curb the “brain drain” and create conditions for young researchers to remain in the country, where they can develop their personal potential. The minister said that the Western Balkan countries face similar problems in science and scientific research, but also have equal opportunities to contribute to addressing these challenges jointly at the regional level, the Ministry of Education and Science said in a statement./Telegrafi/