Nanoforum - Nanotech Regulatory Document Archive

and to make the independent Agency for Support of Research and Development in
Industry. This agency is responsible for the revolving Innovation Fund and
strengthens the financial and personnel basis of the fund. (Ministry of Economic Affairs,
2000)
In 2001, the government announced new policy measures on science and research,
including a new policy conception in the area of science and technology and a new act
on the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS). This act should allow researchers in the
SAS institutes to participate in higher education. The same year, the government also
announced a new Scientific and Technological Information Centre, responsible for
international scientific collaborations; foresight studies and dissemination of results.
(Slovakian government, 2001).
The acts on Science and Technology, on the Slovak Academy of Sciences and on
University Education were adopted in February 2002. "The act on University
Education foresees the transformation of State universities into public institutions, the
introduction of higher education establishments other than universities, the
transformation of the system of disciplines, the across the board introduction of a
credit study system, the transition to multi-source financing for universities and the
introduction of a new system of social support for students" (European
Commission, progress report 2002).
Finally, we can notice that there is an Association of Industrial Research Institutes in the
Slovak Republic. Here are some key figures about R&D in this country (Source: NATO
Science and Society Newsletter (March 2003)):
• Structure of R&D expenditure
• Ministry of Education 39.6%
• Slovak Academy of Sciences 19%
• Other Ministries or and Departments of State 41.4%
• Universities and Research Institutes
• 19 Universities
• State-funded Research Institutes
• National Priorities and Programmes
• Building of Information Society
• Quality of Life - Health, Nutrition, Education
• Development of Progressive Technologies (for the Efficient Economy)
• Utilisation of Domestic Raw Materials and Sources
• Application of Principles for Progressive Energy Production and Energy
Alternation
• Participation of Social Sciences at the Development of Society
At present, there are six European Centres of Excellence in Slovakia, including four in
Bratislava, one in Zilina and one in Nitra. (source Ivan Horvath, NCP for the NMP
programme in FP6).
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