1. Key Barriers for the ICT Research Sector in Serbia, and Recommendations for Future EU- Serbia Collaboration Miodrag Ivkovic, ISS Milorad Bjeletic, BOS 16 October, Belgrade

2. Objective of the session Identify the common challenges and respective recommendations on the future EU-WB research collaboration, to be summarized in a final Policy Paper addressed to the EU Commission A set of actionable measures, specifically aimed at the WB policy community, will be highlighted in such a paper as being able to maximise the benefits of the EU actions in the WB region.

3. Understanding the environment ● European integration process in Serbia is a national priority ● Growing trend in the ICT sector of Serbia ● Product offer is increasing ● Technological needs as well as obstacles and challenges remain at considerable level ● Appropriate measures should be undertaken to minimize their impact on the Serbian participation in international research initiatives

4. Problems and Challenges ● From the open discussion during the consultation session relevant additional information and insights were acquired ● Research institutions in Serbia face continuously various obstacles and challenges while trying to increase their participation in international projects, especially in FP projects. ● problems identified were classified according to their characteristics: 1) in those related to institutional framework and legislative issues, 2) financial issues, 3) education, 4) policy, 5) infrastructure, and 6) other issues such as cultural, etc.

5. Problems 1. Institutional Legislation framework problems ● Even if the Law on Science and Research exists since 2005 and it sets up institutional legislation framework, its implementation hasn’t started yet, meaning neither Strategy nor Policies on ICT research has been developed yet. ● Lack of clear regulation and procedures for researchers’ mobility ● Low level of implementation of intellectual property rights ● No stimulative taxation policy for development of ICT industry

6. what could be done 1. Institutional Legislation framework recommendations ● To fully implement the the Law on Science and Research ● In cooperation with other countries, to take actions in order to facilitate the mobility of researchers ● To clearly regulate IPR issues ● Through taxation policy to stimulate development of ICT industry and research, and international cooperation in these field ● Others…..?

7. Problems 2. Financial problems ● Low financing in ICT research (0,4% of GDP for science) ● Not sufficient investments regarding R&D, through the collaboration of businesses and universities. ● Governmental funding for R&D projects is intended to limited number of organizations and institutions registered as SRO (Science & Research Organisations) ● No clearly defined financial support policy for organizations applying for FP funds ● Companies have potential for R&D in ICT but have low interest in for such investment, and they are not stimulated nor supported through governmental fund

8. what could be done 2. Financial recommendations ● The government should concretely support ICT research by reviewing the amount and financing rules for this sector ● The government along with EU should stimulate public- private partnerships ● The government should set proper financial rules in order to facilitate participation and implementation of EU projects ● To promote and facilitate development of R&D departments in companies ● Companies should track EU research priorities and invest in those areas ● Companies should create partnerships for research with similar companies in the Region and EU ● Others….?

9. Problems 3. Education (HRD) problems ● Lack of students’ and researchers’ mobility between EU and Serbia ● Educational system is not in the line with the needs of ICT industry ● Insufficient number of internships programs for students ● Brain drain ● Higher education system is in ongoing reform (Master and PhD studies are not clearly structured) ● Lack of management skills for international research projects ● Lack of networking skills at EU level ● Spontaneous and not coordinated collaboration between researches from the Region

10. what could be done 3. Education (HRD) recommendations ● The academic sector should train the new generation of researchers with new skills to act in international environment – supported by government. ● Government should facilitate the rules and better coordinate the process with regard to master studies and PhD aligned with the needs of ICT industry ● Others…?

11. 4. Government policy ● No policy on ICT research has been developed yet ● Poor communication channels between policy and decision makers and researchers and other stakeholders ● Non-stimulative policy on regional cooperation in R&D Problems

12. 4. Government policy ● To develop the national R&D strategy and the national ICT research policy ● To establish permanent channels of communications between policy and decision makers and researchers and other stakeholders ● To stimulate regional cooperation in R&D ● Need for close cooperation with stakeholders from private and NGO sector in defining relevant strategies and policies ● Others…? what could be done

13. 5. Infrastructure problems ● Potential of Academic research network is not utilized enough ● Lack of large scale research equipment ● ICT incubators and Innovation centres are not developed enough Problems

14. 5. Infrastructure recommendations ● In cooperation with International donors government should increase investment in infrastructure ● Financially stimulate SMEs to develop ICT research infrastructure ● Others….? what could be done

15. 6. Other problems ● Differences in the way how national institutions work, in comparison to an international collaboration with EU and South-Eastern Europe ● Level of familiarity with FP and other funding programs is very low ● Business community does not see direct benefits from international research projects and therefore has low participation rate Problems

16. 6. Other problems ● Action should be taken in facilitation of contacts between Serbian research organizations with regional and EU ● To continue with support and assistance for participation in FP ● Others….? what could be done

17. Open discussion ● In these areas, actions should be taken by the government and in some cases in cooperation with International donors, in order to make sure the sustainability and impact of the projects ● Comments…?