Research and Development in Albania

Transcription

1 Research and Development in Albania

2 Policy making & priority setting Advisory bodies Academy of Science Parliament Government Council of Ministers National Council for Science and Innovation Chaired by Prime Minister Policy design & Evaluation Ministry of Education & Science Directorate of Scientific Research Ministry of Economy Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Culture Ministry of Environment Programme Management & Monitoring Agency for Research, Technology & Innovation (ARTI) Research & Innovation performers University research institutes Ministerial research institutes Centres for innovation, technology development & transfer Private sector enterprises Advisory function Organisational relation & institutional funding Funding through competitive programmes

3 NATIONAL RESEARCH SYSTEM The Academy of Science; The Ministry of Education and Science; The Agency of Research, Technology and Innovation; Universities (Public & Private); National Research Centers; Public Centers/ Agencies of Development and Technology Transfer; Centers / Agencies/ Institutes and other private entrepreneurships dealing with research, development, technology and knowledge transfer fields;

4 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE The Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) drafts R&D strategies and policies that are aligned with the European Union priorities and vision on science and R&D (2020) Guiding principles in scientific policy making comprise competitiveness, innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainable development, ground-braking R&D through partnerships (at university level and local SMEs) MoES establishes priority fields, while promoting cooperation between Albanian researchers in the country and their foreign counterparts Research priorities in Albania are centred on 7 pillars: Water and energy (depletion of natural resources) Agriculture, nutrition and biotechnology Information and communication technology Biodiversity and environment (climate change) Health (problems related to aging) Material sciences Social and Albanalogy sciences

5 BILATERAL AGREEMENTS IN SCIENCE MoES stimulates mobility and exchange of research experts, primarily through bilateral agreements in the field of science MoES has an ongoing agreement with Macedonia (study visits of researchers, exchange of information and joint scientific documents and findings focusing on agriculture, biotech, food, veterinary, medical sciences, ICT, environment, humanitarian sciences, natural resources, civil engineering, risk management and risk reduction on natural disasters) MoES has an ongoing agreement with Poland (joint research projects, exchange of information and contribution to joint papers and scientific publications and journals) MoES has an ongoing agreement with Greece (mobility of young researchers and PhD fellows, focusing on research as pertaining to culture heritage, linguistics, agriculture, transport and telecommunication)

6 BILATERAL AGREEMENTS IN SCIENCE MoES has an ongoing agreement with Montenegro (mobility of researchers and technical experts between partner universities, setting up joint research centres studying hydro resources at Buna River and Lake of Shkodra, joint center of advanced studies on seismological risks in the Western Balkans) Ongoing agreement with Slovenia (6 joint projects have been completed between partners from each country, focusing on the areas of ICT, biotech and pharmacy, sustainable development; national identity and cultural heritage) Ongoing agreement with Austria (joint undertakings in promoting the development of ICT in Albania) Ongoing agreement with Turkey [TUBITAK] (mobility of researchers, fellow scientists and university graduates, joint research work, implementing new research methodologies, organizing joint symposiums)

7 BILATERAL AGREEMENTS IN SCIENCE Ongoing agreement with Russia (mobility of fellow graduates and young scientists) Ongoing agreement with Italy (technical assistance, establishment of scientific networks, joint projects on public health, veterinary, urban studies, environment and energy, ICT, and digitalization of public services) Ongoing agreement with Hungary (joint undertakings in linguistic and history studies)

8 POLICY APPROACH TO SCIENCE Science and R&D development commences with academia and the academic community building up human capacities in teaching staff is key Absorption, retention and attraction of experts in scientific fields from the Diaspora, the region, and foreign academic networks is also imperative (while also paying due attention to gender-balanced representation in academic and scientific communities) Improving research infrastructure across universities to carry research projects with international standards Encouraging expansion of academic offers (i.e. joint / dual degrees) by universities with respect to scientific programs and degrees, such as engineering and IT, while encouraging critical thinking, creativeness and teamwork and partnering up with foreign universities in the region provides good ground for higher education institutions to contribute to science and R&D Creating favorable conditions for instigating a market of innovative ideas at low bureaucratic barriers and low cost of copyrights is another means to promoting science Creating favorable climate and incentives for partnerships between academic communities, scientific networks and SMEs (private businesses) provides a good basis for scientific innovation

9 MAIN RESEARCH POLICY DOCUMENTS National Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation reaching of a critical level of research to support university education in its three levels (BSc, MSc and PhD) as well as achieving excellence in a small number of priority areas by 2015, through the concentration of national and international resources and in close cooperation with Europe, as well as through the provision of systematic support for innovation and technology transfer to cater for the needs of the productive sector. Law on Higher Education, amended in 2010

10 STATISTICS Research Institutions Public Universities (most important ones ) Polytechnic University of Tirana Agricultural University of Tirana University of Tirana 29 - Private Universities 53 - (Approx) - Private Research Organizations 6 - National Research Centers Agency of Environment and Forests Institute of Cultural Monuments National Agency of Natural Resources Albanian Geology Service Institute of Transport Institute of Construction 6 - Centers of Innovation and Technology Transfer (in Agriculture)

11 STATISTICS Human Resources Researchers with the title (Prof.) 539 (210 women) Researchers with the title (Prof.Ass) 454 (145 women) Researchers with the title (Dr.) 1208 (509 women) Doctor of Scientific Research 269 (181 women) Master of Scientific Research 15 (7 women) Assistant of Scientific Research 12 (women 7)

12 Support Measures National Programs National programs of Research and Development; International Programs (Bilateral and Multilateral); Research Infrastructure Programme; The Programme of Centers of Excellence; Programme for Technology Transfer and Innovation; Programme for Young Researchers; Brain Gain Programme;

13 ALBANIA S PARTICIPATION IN FP7 Albania, as a potential candidate country, has been associated with the Seventh EU Research Framework Programme (FP7) since January 2008; During : - Proposals (total) Applicants (total) Proposals main-listed (total) 22 - Applicants main-listed (total) 28 In FP7 Albania has participated as a partner.

14 PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA Participation in ERA Governance Structures (ERIC; ERAC; SCAR; ESFRI; SGHRM; SFIC) Participation in COST (as a non-cost country) Participation in EUREKA Member of Research Networks (RIBN & EARMA)

15 AGENCY OF RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (ARTI) ARTI acts as a coordinating and guiding structure, which cooperates with institutions in the field of science and technology for sustainable development of the country, in line with national priorities in science and technology development; Offers technical assistance to all of the institutions in regard to investments in the field of STI; National Coordinator of National Contact Points (FP7).

16 GENERAL VIEW ON INNOVATION IN ALBANIA

17 CONTINUE Total number of new enterprises , , ,240 Micro (1-9) 99.5 % Small (10-49) 0.4 % Medium (50-249) 0.1 % Large (+250) % Birth rate of new enterprises for 2009 is 12%, decreased with about 7 point percentage compared with 2008 where it was 18.7%.

18 THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PROGRAM The National Strategic Program On the Development of Innovation & Technology for SMEs, for the period approved on 9 February 2011; Its main objective: Capacity growth of the Albanian businesses to develop, use, adapt and commercialise technology.

19 CONTINUE The National Strategic Program aims to: develop innovation in key sectors of the Albanian Economy growing awareness to the enterprises on innovation and technology development needs; initiate, import, modify and diffuse new technologies in enterprises; increase the capacity of business supporting organisations to assist in the innovation of enterprises; assist directly with technical information; assist enterprises to gain external funding for innovation activities; enable the creation of new innovative firms, their survival and

20 Policy making & priority setting Advisory bodies Academy of Science Parliament Government Council of Ministers Committee on science, innovation & technology assessment (to create?) National Council for Science and Innovation Chaired by Prime Minister Policy design & Evaluation Ministry of Education & Science Directorate of Scientific Research Ministry of Economy Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Health Ministry of Defence Programme Management & Monitoring Agency for Research, Technology & Innovation (ARTI) Research & Innovation performers University research institutes Ministerial research institutes Centres for innovation, technology development & transfer Private sector enterprises Advisory function Organisational relation & institutional funding Funding through competitive programmes

21 BUSINESS RELAY INNOVATION CENTRE (BRIC) ARTI Science and research promotion Funding of National and International R&D Programmes R&D international co-operation Technological development Research & Technological Development Employment & Human Resources Development Business Innovation & Technology Transfer existing gap NSE Job creation Self employment Employability HR qualification & development Training and capacity building Investment Promotion Enterprise Development & Exports Linkages with firms ALBINVEST Promotion of Albania s external image Promotionof FDI Business-related infrastuctures ALBINVEST SME development Facilitation of business financing Business assistance Promotion of exports and business internationalisation

22 CONTINUE ARTI Science and research promotion Funding of National and International R&D Programmes R&D international co-operation Technological development Research & Technological Development BRIC Awareness raising and promotion Technology transfer and diffusion Managerial innovation techniques & services Provision of information Financial resources Entrepreneurship Supporting key sectors Employment & Human Resources Development Business Innovation & Technology Transfer NSE Job creation Self employment Employability HR qualification & development Training and capacity building Investment Promotion Enterprise Development & Exports Linkages with firms ALBINVEST Promotion of Albania s external image Promotion of FDI Business-related infrastuctures ALBINVEST SME development Facilitation of business financing Business assistance Promotion of exports and business internationalisation

23 MAIN PROGRAMMES / PROJECTS IN IMPLEMENTING INNOVATION POLICIES: 1. Innovation Fund 2. Business Innovation Services 3. Business Incubator Programme 4. Albanian Cluster Programme

24 COMPETITIVENESS INNOVATION FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (CIP) IN ALBANIA Decision of European Parlament No. 1639/2006/EC; Article 1 (2) of the Framework Agreement; According to the MoU between Albania and the European Community entered into force on 7 October 2008, Albania is allowed to participate in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation specific Programme (EIP) of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). In the late 2008 Albania applied for participation in EEN network, but this application was rejected, for lack of institutional shortcomings.

25 BUSINESS COMMUNITY Business Advisory Council: an institution, which aims to develop the dialogue between public and private sectors by advising the Government for its governmental policies and programs of economic development, budget preparation and fiscal policies, privatization policies, public procurement policies, technology & innovation policies, investment promotion policies, competition policy, market monitoring, etc.. There are 12 Chambers of Commerce and Industry, one in every county and the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, created by law that represent the general interest of the business community and as coordinator of the activities of the county chambers at national level.

26 CONTINUE Apart from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry there also many multi-sectoral associations. The most known and active are: 1. Albanian Confindustry; 2. Confindustry; 3. Foreign Investor Association (FIAA); 4. Albanian Agribusiness Council (KASH) which represents 21 agribusiness trade associations; 5. Albanian Association of Constructors (SHNSH); 6. National Chamber of Garment Producers; 7. Albanian Association of Shoe Producers; 8. Association of Businesswomen Professionals and Handcrafts; 9. Albanian Association of Business Incubators, etc...

27 ALBANIAN COMPANIES DEALING WITH ECO INNOVATION: At least 37 companies are involved in recycling and employ an estimated 15,000 people (data by USAID, Albania); The two largest recyclers: 1. EVEREST - a producer and recycler of plastic film; 2. EDIPACK - a corrugated paper manufacturer and recycler of paper products. o o o The Albanian Construction Association (ACA)as Partner in the project ECO- PLASBRICK (Lead Applicant: CETMA, of Italy) that has been submitted for funding under the Call for Proposals CIP - EIP Eco-Innovation 2010 & has been recently informed that the application was favorably estimated and they ll soon start the negotiations. Another successful application of 2009 is the participation in the project Improve Innovation Management , as one of its 10 partners. It was also succesfully applied in the Female Entrepreneur Ambassador Network in March 2010.