1. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 1 Young Researchers – The Academic Research “Engine”. Some Specific Problems in Romania Tinerii universitari – “motorul” cercetarii academice de pretutindeni. Cateva probleme specifice Romaniei Lucian N. VINTAN “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania E-mail: lucian.vintan@ulbsibiu.ro lucian.vintan@ulbsibiu.ro Web Page: http://webspace.ulbsibiu.ro/lucian.vintan http://webspace.ulbsibiu.ro/lucian.vintan

2. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 2 Academic Research – unlike military research or industrial research – is characterised by the followings: It is an open research It is an open research It is developed through international scientific cooperation It is developed through international scientific cooperation The research’s results are published (scientific reviews, conferences, etc.) The research’s results are published (scientific reviews, conferences, etc.)

3. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 3 The Young Researchers’ Role in developing Efficient Academic Research is Crucial, because: They have an impressive work power They have an impressive work power They are creative and enthusiasts They are creative and enthusiasts They easily adapt to new scientific challenges They easily adapt to new scientific challenges They are motivated through some pragmatic targets (PhD programs, Post-doc programs, etc.) They are motivated through some pragmatic targets (PhD programs, Post-doc programs, etc.)

4. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 4 Young Researchers – The Academic Research “Engine”  Practically, in each academic research project are integrated young PhD researchers.  Young researchers are mainly involved in some concrete research activities (especially in simulation/ emulation/implementation activities).  Most scientific reviews & conferences are publishing papers developed by young researchers (PhDs, post-docs)..

5. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 5 PhD Students’ Institutional Problems. Possible Solutions (I) The Rule must be: PhD with frequency (full-time), financed in an adequate manner The Rule must be: PhD with frequency (full-time), financed in an adequate manner PhD programs must be focused on research project (many PhD students/one research project) and not on a PhD student working alone on her/his own project (one project/PhD student) PhD programs must be focused on research project (many PhD students/one research project) and not on a PhD student working alone on her/his own project (one project/PhD student) Maximum 4 didactical hours per week for each PhD student Maximum 4 didactical hours per week for each PhD student

6. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 6 PhD Students’ Institutional Problems. Possible Solutions (II) Enlarging the “joint PhD” system (with 2 supervisors, one from an EU country) Enlarging the “joint PhD” system (with 2 supervisors, one from an EU country) Before finishing the PhD thesis it is necessary to publish papers in some prestigious journals & conferences (ISI - Institute of Scientific Information) Before finishing the PhD thesis it is necessary to publish papers in some prestigious journals & conferences (ISI - Institute of Scientific Information)Institute of Scientific InformationInstitute of Scientific Information There are necessary new PhD regulations There are necessary new PhD regulations

7. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 7 Young Researchers and Scientific Performance Evaluation (I) Scientific performance evaluation according to international scientometric criteria (ISI Thomson; objective elitist criteria, quantification of research results through indexed citations number, using scientific international data bases, etc.) Scientific performance evaluation according to international scientometric criteria (ISI Thomson; objective elitist criteria, quantification of research results through indexed citations number, using scientific international data bases, etc.) Developing an unitary national system for scientific performance evaluations at individual level, project level and institutional level (FP6 is an useful guide) Developing an unitary national system for scientific performance evaluations at individual level, project level and institutional level (FP6 is an useful guide)

8. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 8 Young Researchers and Scientific Performance Evaluation (II) Some interesting opinions at: Some interesting opinions at: http://mepopa.com/su.htm http://mepopa.com/su.htm http://mepopa.com/su.htm http://mepopa.com/Pdfs/daniel21apr.pdf http://mepopa.com/Pdfs/daniel21apr.pdf http://mepopa.com/Pdfs/daniel21apr.pdf

9. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 9 Increasing the Number of PhD Researchers in Industry In Romania most PhDs are working in universities and few PhDs are working in companies. In Romania most PhDs are working in universities and few PhDs are working in companies. Filling the “semantic gap” between industrial research and academic research. Filling the “semantic gap” between industrial research and academic research. It’s necessary a new Industry-Academia partnership scheme, with flexible rules concerning the criteria for the eligibility of researchers to be recruited. It’s necessary a new Industry-Academia partnership scheme, with flexible rules concerning the criteria for the eligibility of researchers to be recruited.

10. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 10 Institutional Problems for Young PhDs. Possible Solutions (I) To establish a new fellowship scheme to fill the gap that currently exists between postdoctoral and established academic positions. Such scheme should promote early independence of young researchers by providing them with start-up funds and other means to set up their own research groups or develop their entrepreneurships. Details at URL: http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full /2000/11/02/13 To establish a new fellowship scheme to fill the gap that currently exists between postdoctoral and established academic positions. Such scheme should promote early independence of young researchers by providing them with start-up funds and other means to set up their own research groups or develop their entrepreneurships. Details at URL: http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full /2000/11/02/13 http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full /2000/11/02/13 http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full /2000/11/02/13

11. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 11 Institutional Problems for Young PhDs. Possible Solutions (II) Enhancing/Establishing Research Careers for young Doctors, inclusive in R&D companies Enhancing/Establishing Research Careers for young Doctors, inclusive in R&D companies A good initiative: Ministry Order O.M. 3861/13.04.2005 Infiintarea programelor de cercetare post-doctorala (Post-Doc Research National Program) – based on CNCSIS Proposals); Opinions: http://www.ad- astra.ro/journal/6/buhai_conditia_cercetatorul ui.pdf A good initiative: Ministry Order O.M. 3861/13.04.2005 Infiintarea programelor de cercetare post-doctorala (Post-Doc Research National Program) – based on CNCSIS Proposals); Opinions: http://www.ad- astra.ro/journal/6/buhai_conditia_cercetatorul ui.pdfInfiintarea programelor de cercetare post-doctoralahttp://www.ad- astra.ro/journal/6/buhai_conditia_cercetatorul ui.pdfInfiintarea programelor de cercetare post-doctoralahttp://www.ad- astra.ro/journal/6/buhai_conditia_cercetatorul ui.pdf

12. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 12 Facilitating Young Researchers Access to Academic Managerial Positions (I) Romanian present-day academic system is quite rigid, bureaucratic and not sensitive to prestigious scientific research results Romanian present-day academic system is quite rigid, bureaucratic and not sensitive to prestigious scientific research results It is necessary an academic system centred on research group/centre, institute, etc., as a fundamental atomic entity, and not on administrative structures (faculties, councils, etc.) and functions (vice-deans, dean, vice- rectors, rector, etc.) It is necessary an academic system centred on research group/centre, institute, etc., as a fundamental atomic entity, and not on administrative structures (faculties, councils, etc.) and functions (vice-deans, dean, vice- rectors, rector, etc.)

13. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 13 Facilitating Young Researchers Access to Academic Managerial Positions (II) These research groups must be autonomous (scientific, financial) These research groups must be autonomous (scientific, financial) These research groups will produce and teach certain knowledge for students These research groups will produce and teach certain knowledge for students

14. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 14 Improving Research’s Financial Aspects Romania (5000 Euro/Researcher) vs. EU (80,000 Euro/Researcher) Romania (5000 Euro/Researcher) vs. EU (80,000 Euro/Researcher) Romania (0.39% PNB) vs. EU (1.9% PNB) Romania (0.39% PNB) vs. EU (1.9% PNB)

15. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 15 Enlarging and Improving Institutional Cooperation with Prestigious European Research Groups Improving young researchers’ mobility degree (through special regulations) Improving young researchers’ mobility degree (through special regulations) Special funds allocation, for each university, in order to finance young researchers participation to scientific international top-conferences Special funds allocation, for each university, in order to finance young researchers participation to scientific international top-conferences Promotion to be conditioned by foreign research stages in prestigious EU and US universities (Visiting Researcher/Professor, minimum 6 months ?; E.g. Slovenia) Promotion to be conditioned by foreign research stages in prestigious EU and US universities (Visiting Researcher/Professor, minimum 6 months ?; E.g. Slovenia)

16. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 16 Attracting back some (Romanian) Valuable Young Researchers that work in Foreign Countries Introduction of a specific fellowship scheme to attract back to Romania the research diaspora Introduction of a specific fellowship scheme to attract back to Romania the research diaspora They can be integrated in our best research institutes (4 European Excellence Centres, etc.) They can be integrated in our best research institutes (4 European Excellence Centres, etc.) Courageous managerial and financial offers Courageous managerial and financial offers An institutional approach. E.g. Rointera Program: www.rointera.ro An institutional approach. E.g. Rointera Program: www.rointera.ro www.rointera.ro

17. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 17 Stopping Romanian Young Researchers Emigration Growing up research budgets Growing up research budgets Researchers’ social prestige rehabilitation Researchers’ social prestige rehabilitation Researchers’ autonomy, etc. Some interesting opinions at: Researchers’ autonomy, etc. Some interesting opinions at: http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/6/szedlacsek.pdf http://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/6/szedlacsek.pdfhttp://www.ad-astra.ro/journal/6/szedlacsek.pdf

18. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 18 Conclusions (I) The Young Researchers’ Role in developing Efficient Academic Research is Crucial The Young Researchers’ Role in developing Efficient Academic Research is Crucial Young Researchers represent The Academic Research “Engine” Young Researchers represent The Academic Research “Engine” Solving Some PhD Students’ Institutional Problems Solving Some PhD Students’ Institutional Problems It is necessary to develop a National Scientific Performance Evaluation System (compatible ISI) It is necessary to develop a National Scientific Performance Evaluation System (compatible ISI) Increasing the Number of PhD Researchers in Industry Increasing the Number of PhD Researchers in Industry Solving Some Institutional Problems for young PhDs Solving Some Institutional Problems for young PhDs ·

19. 12-13/05/2005 Lucian Vintan - CNCSIS-7 Conference, Bucharest, May 2005 19 Conclusions (II) Facilitating Young Researchers Access to Academic Managerial Positions Facilitating Young Researchers Access to Academic Managerial Positions Improving Research Financial Aspects Improving Research Financial Aspects Enlarging and Improving Institutional Cooperation with prestigious European Research Groups Enlarging and Improving Institutional Cooperation with prestigious European Research Groups Attracting back some (Romanian) Valuable Young Researchers that work in Foreign Countries Attracting back some (Romanian) Valuable Young Researchers that work in Foreign Countries Stopping Romanian Young Researchers Emigration Stopping Romanian Young Researchers Emigration