Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020

3 High-quality research in the public sector3.1 Greater autonomy and responsibility in public researchorganisationsPublic research organisations (PROs) as defined by the applicable legislation are publicentities established by the Republic of Slovenia or another public entity authorised by lawwhich meet the conditions to execute R&D activities. PROs include public research andinfrastructural institutions and higher education institutions established by the Republic ofSlovenia (or another public entity authorised by law). According to the applicablelegislation, public service in the field of R&D activities is, in addition to the PROs, alsoexercised in the form of research programmes by the programme groups with legallydelegated public and private individuals under concession. For the needs of thisdocument, these contractors are also considered as PROs.As the main researchers, PROs form the centre of the research and innovation systemthat is rapidly evolving and changing. In such changing circumstances, it is crucial toprovide the best possible conditions for their work. Their effective functioning andperformance in achieving the research mission determines the outcome ofimplementation of the complete research and innovation system. The latter shouldtherefore ensure considerable autonomy (in terms of management, finance and research)while the PROs themselves must bear the social responsibility to effectively conveyscientific discoveries to society and its subsystems.Scientific excellence is one of the foundations of an innovative, knowledge-based society.The development of scientific excellence is mainly based on fundamental progress inscience extending beyond the borders of existing cognition. Fundamental progress inscience can only be achieved through research free of preset priorities and based only onthe primal curiosity of researchers. Therefore this area of scientific development shouldbe implemented within autonomous research organisations where the only measure forthe assessment of scientific work is globally comparable excellence. Universities andinstitutes are independent in developing fields in which they might achieve outstandingbreakthrough results, thereby making important contributions to the world’s bank ofknowledge.Significant changes in the innovation system are reflected in the organisation of R&Dactivities in companies where traditional research departments are replacing experts byplacing their development and innovation activities closer to the market. This introducessignificant changes to the scope of research in the public sector as it expands R&Dcooperation between companies and between the business and public sectors. On theother hand, internationalisation/globalisation of R&D is growing strongly, and bothnational and European public research areas are increasingly exposed to internationalcompetition; therefore, they will have to be adapted and trained to the new situation andthus remain attractive to the business sector. The mobility of researchers, students andteachers is increasing, as is the competition to attract the best among them. Theinternational market in higher education is developing, where international systems alsocontribute through their evaluation and quality control. Industry, service sectors andother users of knowledge constantly need new knowledge and skills, and lifelong learningand education in the workplace are becoming increasingly important components of theresearch and innovation system.All of these processes, which take place in the research and innovation system inSlovenia and worldwide, require the most current, high-level work and organisation inthe public research sector.State of affairsFollowing independence and during transition, Slovenia has managed to maintain relativestability in its public R&D sector despite the restructuring of the economy, where manylarge companies since independence have lost a large part of the market, closed or