BRATISLAVA, October 5, (WEBNOVINY) — An assembly of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) calls on the government and parliament to reconsider the intention to cut spending in the SAV’s budgetary chapter in the period 2011 – 2013 and thus prevent incalculable damages in the sector of Slovak research and development.
“Cutting SAV’s budget will mean a major intervention in activities of the most efficient science institution in Slovakia, which is in conflict with government’s declared intention to support excellence in science. Reduction in financing science will inevitably lead to layoffs in the ranks of researchers and decrease research capacity and it will ultimately endanger meeting commitments resulting from running projects. Potential will be harmed to acquire external grants, for example by participation in calls under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program as well as other calls under EU Framework Programs,” reads an open letter that SAV sent to the Cabinet. SAV claims that suggested budget cuts really endanger inevitable reconstruction of immovable property that the state placed under SAV’s administration. Nationwide cuts in financial sources may solve the problem of ineffective public sector financing but it will have a markedly negative impact on the persistently underfinanced science, believe scientists and academics.
The government suggests slashing SAV’s budget for next year by 8.8 percent, which meets with opposition of the science organization. “In belief that knowledge is man’s greatest asset offering the strongest guarantee for society’s development, academy’s top management is watching with growing concern tendencies to introduce blanket cut in sources for research and development despite the fact that it is the science and research sector from where new knowledge necessary for Slovakia’s development acceleration originates,” said head of the SAV press department Sona Kozelova for the SITA news agency.
SITA
