1. Dražen Vikić-Topić State Secretary for Science and Technology Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia Graz, June 30, 2007 Making Research & Higher Education a Priority on the Political Agenda: Difficulties and Necessity

2. PART 1

3. Ruđer Bošković Institute 2005 Largest Croatian Research Inst. Employed 830 Academic Staff 513 296 Researcher 189 Ph.D. Students 28 Postdoc. Fellows Total No. of Research Articles 578 (1,13 article per Res/Year) 5% of Croatia Researchers at RBI Produce 27% of Croatian World Recognized Scientific Publications

4. Dražen Vikić-Topić, Ph.D. Chemistry Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy 1989 Postdoc - Ljubljana, Slovenia 1990 Guest Researcher – India 1990/93 Visiting Researcher - NIH, USA 1993/94 Senior Res. – Mayo Clinic, USA 1999 Visiting Prof. – Ljubljana, Slovenia 2001 Founder of NMR Center 2002 Adviser of DG-RBI for Organizational Issues 2004 Chairman of Scientific Council of RBI 2005 Adviser of DG-RBI for Science & Education 2005 State Secretary for Science & Technology

5. PART 2

6. Croatian Goverment is Strongly Determined that Education and Science are not Expenditure but the Investment for the Future

7. Vision of Croatia “a small country with great knowledge”

8. To achieve it we have to built a more efficient communication & cooperation system between state administration & scientific institutes / universities

9. We are aware that academic community and state administration have different ways of thinking & behaviour, in fact different cultures

10. Inside Academic Community considerable differences also exist: between institutes and universities, among different research fields, etc.

11. Therefore we have to establish a new culture of collaboration and partnership between academic community and state administration

12. There is no recipe for it but we have to do more on human resourcing soft skills public awarness knowledge-cleverness-wisdom more experts and professors in government and governmental decision making and policy making bodies

13. PART 3

14. Educational System in Croatia

15. Reforms of Educational System Reform of Primary Education - HNOS (Croatian National Educational Standard) Compulsory High School Education State Exam in High Schools (Matura)

16. Reforms of Educational System Reform of Vocational Studies Bologna Process – Improving of Tertiary Education and Reform of Doctorial Studies Agency for Adult Education, May 2006

17. Reforms of Educational System Law on Adult Education, Feb 2007 Center for Mobility and EU Programmes (Longlife Learning,YOUTH, ERASMUS, LEONARDO), May 2007 National Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, in 2007

18. The Croatian Science & Technology Base Universities 7 Public Institutes 26 Research Centers in Industry 11 Academies 3 Schools of Professional HE 20 (9+11) Polytechnics 10 Other Scientific Entities 50 Military Research Centers 1 Technology Centers 5

19. Number of the Registered Researchers in the Public Sector 26 Public Institutes 1,400 M.Sc./Ph.D. 7 Universities 7,219 M.Sc./Ph.D. 8,619 M.Sc./Ph.D. in addition 1,542 B.Sc. Public Sector Total 10,161 Researchers

20. Number of M.Sc./Ph.D. in Croatia Public Sector 8,619 Industry (Public and Private) and SMS 3,679 Retirement 2,325 Total 14,623

21. Steering of the Tertiary Education System 2005 Ministry of Science, Education and Sports National Council for Science Council of Polytechnics and Colleges Science and Higher Education Funding Council National Council for Higher Education Committee for Ethics in Science and Higher Education Universities Schools of Professional Higher Education Public Institutes Croatian Government Rectors’ Conference Croatian Parliament Science and Higher Education Agency Polytechnics TEI

22. Decision structure in S&R Parliament Government MSES National Foundation for Science National Council for Science Area Committees Science and HE Funding Council Committee for Ethics in Science and HE Institutes Universities Faculties CARNet SRCE Area Councils Agency for science and HE Programmes Projects Grants Equipment Infrastructure Conferences Publications Young Researchers Projects Grants Conferences Publications Academy of Sciences and Arts

23. NEW INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES IN THE EDUCATION AND SCIENCE SECTORS 1.Agency for Vocational Education 2.Agency for Adult Education (concept of Lifelong Learning) 3.National Centre for External Evaluation of Education 4.Education and Teacher Training Agency (former Institute for Education) 5.National Council for Curriculum 6.National Council for Pedagogical Standard 7.Agency for Science and Higher Education 8.Croatian Institute of Technology (HIT) 9.National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development

24. Education, Science and Technology Strategic Documents 2003“Croatia in the 21st Century-Science”, Accepted by Croatian Parliament http://www.hrvatska21.hr/znanost%2030_6_2003.pdf 2006“Science & Technology Policy of the Republic of Croatia 2006-2010” Accepted by National Council for Science, World Bank and Government of the Republic of Croatia http://www.mzos.hr 2007“Action Plan of Science & Technology Policy of the Republic of Croatia”, Accepted by World Bank and Government of the Republic of Croatia

25. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLICY 2006 – 2010 Loan from World Bank for Science & Technology Project Science & Technology Project € 31 mil.

26. Science & Technology Policy of the Republic of Croatia 2006-2010 Main Goals Increasing investments into research and development and the increase of their efficiency Restructuring Croatia's science system Strengthening cooperation between science, government and industry in creation of new knowledge and goods Increasing participation of Croatian scientists and other entities in EU Framework Programs

27. Science & Technology Policy of the Republic of Croatia 2006-2010 Other Goals Stimulating scientific excellence and enabling the transfer of knowledge and results of scientific discoveries to industry and business Increasing competitiveness of the Croatian economy Generating sustainable economic growth and productivity

28. S&T Reform (1) Research Priorities Criterion of Research Excellence Criterion of National Importance Balance of Basic and Applied Research Introduction of Research Programmes Frequent Calls for Research Projects Better System of Evaluation Greater Participation of Foreign Referees

29. S&T Reform (2) Greater Support to Interdisciplinary Programs / Projects Better Financing of the Programs / Projects Between Universities and Public / Private Institutes, Between Institutes Greater Financing for the Inter-regional and Multi-regional Pograms / Projects Reorganization of Public Institutes

30. S&T Reform (3) Croatian Institute of Technology, March 2006 (HIT Ltd., Hrvatski institut za tehnologiju) New Technology Council, 2007 Governmental Body for S&T Policy, 2007 Dept. for Analysis, Evaluation and Foresight of Technological Development at MSES, 2007

31. Long-term Priorities of Croatian S&T Knowledge-driven Basic Research Environment Protection and Economy, Develompment of Karst Regions, Adriatic Coast, Sea and Islands Agriculture, Biotechnology, Food Health Information and Communication Technologies Nanoscience, New materials, Constructions and New Production Processes Energy:Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources, Transport, Security Social and Human Sciencies Social Integration, Pedagogics and Education, Lifelong (Permanent) Learning

32. Short-term Priorities (2006-2010) of Croatian S&T 1. Environment (Adriatic & Karst Region) 2. Health (Food; Biotechnology) 3. Energy & Materials (Renewable Sources; Bio-nanomaterials) 4. Croatian Identity (Contribution to Culture, Religion, Art and Sciences; Croatian Language)

33. Three Pillars for Financing Higher Education, Science and Technology in Croatia 1. MSES 2. NFS 3. HIT / BICRO

34. MSES Funding Instruments Research Grants –Periodical Calls, Pear Review Equipment Grants –Annual Calls Reviewed by Study Section Technology-Development Grants –For Applied Research Fellowships for Young Researchers (Res. Novices) –Provides Salary up to 10 Years (6 PhD+4 PostDoc) Currently ca. 2700 Young Researchers Linked to Research Grants International Mobility Grants –For Young Researchers

35. “Research and development and innovation is to be given a boost. The overall spending on these should be increased to reach 3 percent of GDP by 2010. Two-thirds of this investment should come from the private sector!” % BDP Total Expenditure in R&D from the State Budget and Private Sector (in 2004 Croatia 1.24 % BDP- Eurostat 2006)

36. Participation of a Private Sector in R&D Expenditure % GDP

37. Tax Brakes for Investments in Science  Since 2003, based on the Act on Execution of the State Budget, a VAT refund is provided for purchase of equipment for science and technology projects.  2003 - 2006: ca. 78 million kn provided through VAT refund.  According to priorities of individual HE, S&R, R&D institutions the refund is invested in scientific infrastructure and purchase of new equipment.

38. Financing Allocated to the MSES (mil. kn) Year2001200220032004200520062007 Higher Education 1,4171,4161,6881,8632,0432,1642,348 Science654686751714752813840 Technology Centers 54476385979145 Technology Projects 414052 364625 ITC339410711516418079 Total2,1502,2402,6042,7523,0003,2103,340

39. Science Projects 2006 Five key innovations: 1.Stimulating concentration of research projects to programmes, supporting scientific cooperation between researchers within Croatia and with Croatian diaspora. 2.Stimulating and rewarding excellence in project results. 3.More adequate system of evaluation with significantly higher participation of foreign evaluators (Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Ireland). 4. Integrated information system for management of application and evaluation process. 5. Publication of key data on positively evaluated projects and programmes.

40. Science Projects Year Total Submitted Projects Accepted Projects Rejected Projects Accept. Rate 200218711637234 87,5% 200627321968764 72%  46% more projects submitted in 2006 than in 2002  123% more referees (2458) in 2006 than in 2002, from which 30% foreign referees (in 2002 it was 1100 referees)  5638 referee reports in 2006

41. Financing of Science Projects  For financing of science projects in 2007 in State budget is reserved 142.5 mil. kn  Increase of financing in 2007 for 48.7 mil. kn in comparison with 2002 i.e. increase for 52% in 2007 v.s. 2002 Sredstva za znanstvene projekte iz proračuna MZOŠ-a, u mln. kuna: 200220032004200520062007 Increase 2002 / 2007 93.72112.86115.84118.98126.04142.552%

42. Croatian Science Portal Croatian Science Portal www.znanstvenici.hr  The central network portal with content and services intended for Croatian scientists, together with information on their work and science and technology projects.  Its goals is to consolidate information useful to scientific community, enable linkages between Croatian scientists in Croatia and abroad and encourage their cooperation.

43. Croatian Science Portal Croatian Science Portal www.znanstvenici.hr  It consists of 4 sub-projects: 1. Who-is-who in Croatian science 2. Croatian science bibliography – CROSBI 3. Promotion of open access in Croatia 4. Croatian publications portal HRČAK  The project is financed by the MSES and it is administered by Ruđer Bošković Institute, University Computing Centre (SRCE), National and University Library and Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNet).

44. Technology Policy in Croatia PROGRAM HRVATSKOG INOVACIJSKOG TEHNOLOGIJSKOG RAZVITKA (HITRA) TEhnologijsko iSTraživačko-razvojni projekti (TEST) RAzvoj na Znanju UteMeljenih poduzeća (RAZUM) Program of Croatian Innovation and Technological Development (2001) Technology-Related Research and Development Projects Development of Knowledge-Based Companies

45. Cooperation of Different Ministries in Technological Development RAZUM First program of the Government which supports and provide financing for development of knowledge- based economy TEST MINISTRY OF THE ECONOMY, LABOUR AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGMENT MSES

46. Instruments for Technological Development Technology and Innovation Centers 5 Centers (Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Ston & Osijek) HIT, Ltd. (TEST) (Croatian Institute of Technology) BICRO, Ltd. (RAZUM) (Business Innovation Center of Croatia)

47. Technology in Croatia HITRA TEST-Transfer of Technology (Types of projects: TP, STIRP, JEZGRA) (HIT Ltd.) RAZUM-Development of Konwledge-Based Firms (Commercialization, Start-ups / Spin-offs) (BICRO Ltd.)

48. BICRO BICRO Business Innovation Centre of Croatia  BICRO was established by the Croatian Government in 1998.  HITRA (Croatian Programme for Innovative Technological Development) was started by the Croatian Government in 2001 → the first Croatian programme aimed at developing a knowledge-based economy. HITRA Programme encompasses two sub-programmes: 1. TEST – Technology-Related Research and Development Projects (with an additional sub-programme - JEZGRE) 2. RAZUM – Development of Knowledge-Based Companies (small and medium- sized enterprises). Implemented by BICRO.  Financing - Combination of commercial and conditional loans and non-returnable grants. - Guarantee required (70% of loan for newly funded companies, 100% for existing companies), 2 year grace period, 5 year amortization, 4.5% interest rate.

49. BICRO  TehCro – Technology Infrastructure Development Programme (program razvoja tehnološke infrastrukture) Aims to ensure a sustainable increase in the number of knowledge-based SMEs (14.8 mln kn)  VenCro – Venture Capital Programme (osnivanje fonda rizičnoga kapitala) G overnment will match up to 30% of other investors’ capital (34 mln kn)  IRCro – Research and Development Programme (program istraživanja i razvoja) Is intended to encourage and stimulate demand for services of public research institutions, as well as to encourage SMEs to invest in R&D activities (11 mln kn)  KonCRO – Business Competitiveness Upgrading Programme (program unaprjeđenja poslovne konkurentnosti) Assists SMEs to become more competitive by increasing productivity (11 mln kn)

50. Croatian Institute of Technology – HIT  3 March 2006: The Institute for Technological Policy and Development – ITP d.o.o was transformed into CROATIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – HIT d.o.o. because of its expanded scope of work and new activities: 1. Administration of financial support for technology based and innovative enterprises. 2. Coordination and organisation of institutions aimed at development, transfer, application and financing of the network of technology institutions at national level. 3. Consulting in the filed of technology transfer and know-how, technological development and R&D. 4. Development of Business Intelligence and Technology Foresight systems.  By a new Directive the administration of TEST Programme was transferred from MSES to HIT.  The acceptance rate of HITRA Programme is continually approaching world standards and in 2005 – 2006 period it was 33.34%.

51. CARDS 2003 “Intelllectual Property Infrastructure for R&D Sector in Croatia Duration: 18 months Funds from EU: 600.000 EUR Implemented by:AEA Technologies, Oxford Feb, 2006- Aug, 2007 Specific Objectives To ensure a sustainable and self-supporting infrastructure enabling the R&D community to make full use of intellectual property rights and any related commercial exploitation.

52. CARDS 2003 “Intelllectual Property Infrastructure for R&D Sector in Croatia Component 1. Building capacity at central level Output: IP Manual covering methods, models and IPU/ TTO (13 Chapters) Component 2. Training Output: over 120 scientists (and staff from universities and institutes) were trained on nonspecialist 3 day courses 35 participated intensive train the trainers 9 day course Component 3. Pilot project Concepts will be implemented at Rudjer Innovations, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Split, University of Rijeka.

53. Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Regional Competitiveness OP 2007-2013 Measure 2: Technology Transfer and Support Services for Knowledge-based Starts-ups 1. Science and Innovation Investment Fund (IPA: 4.5 mil. EUR, Croatia / MSES: 1.5 mil. EUR) 2. Biosciences Technology Commercialisation & Incubation Centre (IPA: 6 mil. EUR, Croatia / MSES: 2 mil. EUR)

54. Changes in Technology Sector of Croatia 2006 / 2007 1.Establishing of Croatian Institute of Technology (HIT,Ltd., Hrvatski institut za tehnologiju) 2.Transfering TEST Program from MSES to HIT 3. New Technology Council 4. Governmental Body for Science &Technology Policy 5. Dept. for Analysis, Evaluation and Foresight of Technological Development at MSES

55. Information Infrastructure CARNET – Croatian Academic Research Network Broadband Internet in all Academic and Research Institutions Access to Relevant Databases and Full Text Journals for all Academic and Research Institutions

56. Return of Croatian Scientists From Abroad (44 till now) 1.FRANO BARBIR, Ph. D. – Split (University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA) 2.DR.SC. DRAŽEN ZANCHI, Ph. D. – Split (Université Denis Diderot – Paris 7, Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Hautes Énérgies, France) 3.IVAN KOLOVRAT, DESIGNER - Split (Fachhochschule Wiesbaden, Germany) 4.VEDRAN DELETIS, Ph. D. – Split (St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, New York, USA) 5.ZLATKO PLEŠE, Ph. D. – Zagreb (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA) 6.MARIO GRČEVIĆ, Ph. D. – Zagreb (Universität Mannheim, Germany) 7.VLADIMIR DAVID, Ph. D. – Zagreb (University of New England, Armidale, Australia) 8.MLADEN PETRAVIĆ, Ph. D. – Rijeka (Australian National University, Canberra, Australia) 9.ŽELJKO JERIČEVIĆ, Ph. D. – Rijeka (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA) 10.VIKTOR SUČIĆ, Ph. D. – Rijeka (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia) 11.BISERKA MULAC-JERIČEVIĆ, Ph. D. – Rijeka (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA) 12.MILAN SAK-BOSNAR, Ph. D. – Osijek (University of Applied Science Waedenswill, Switzerland) 13.DAMIR ĆAVAR, Ph. D. – Zadar (Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA) 14.IVAN POLJAKOVIĆ, Ph. D. – Zadar (University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand) 15.DARIO KREŠIĆ, Ph. D. – Dubrovnik (Technische Universität München, Germany)

57. Unity Through Knowledge  Within STP (Science and Technology Project) loan that Croatia signed in 2006 with the World Bank, a fund called "Unity Through Knowledge" is being established. The expected duration of the fund is until the end of 2009.  "Unity Through Knowledge" Fund (ca. € 5.0 million) was conceived with a purpose to enable scientific and research work in Croatia for Croatian scientists and researchers working abroad, as well as to enable their return to Croatia.  The Fund will support four activities: 1.Encourage Croatian diaspora to do science research in Croatia; 2.Establish a network of Croatian scientific diaspora; 3.Short visits of prominent Croatian researchers to Croatia; 4.Encourage Croatian diaspora to establish new commercial companies for advanced technology in Croatia.

58. Sixth Framework Programme ( Sixth Framework Programme ( 2002 - 2007) 2002-2005 Croatia participates as a “third country”. 1 January 2006: Croatia became full member of FP6. Membership fee for 2006 is ca. € 6.6 million (around 50% was covered by pre -accession funds PHARE. Croatia direct participation was ca. € 3.2 million). Till now Croatian scientists participate in 95 projects, of approx. value of ca. € 10 million.

59. GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 2006  A report by the World Economic Forum which surveyed 125 countries  Croatia rose from 64th (in 2005) to 51st place in 2006  Croatia is best placed under the criteria of: - Higher education and training (44th) - Innovation (45th) - Technological readiness (47th)

60. GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX Top 10 Switzerland 1. Finland 2. Sweden 3. Denmark 4. Singapore 5. USA 6. Japan 7. Germany 8. Holland 9. UK 10. New EU 8 Estonia 25. Czech Rep. 29. Slovenia 33. Latvia 36. Slovakia 37. Lithuania 40. Hungary 41. Poland 48. Candidates CROATIA 51. Turkey 59. Romania 68. Bulgaria 72. SE Europe Macedonia 80. SiCG 87. BIH 89. Albania 98.

61. Candidate country Ranking 2006 (125 countries) Ranking 2005 (117 countries) Difference Croatia51.64.+ 13 Turkey59.71.+ 12 Rumania68.67.- 1 Bulgaria72.61.- 11 SE Europe Macedonia80.75.- 5 SiCG87.85.- 2 BiH89.88.- 1 Albania98.100.- 2 GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX

64. STRATEGIC GOAL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION “The Union shall become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.” – Lisbon strategy, 2000 – Lisbon strategy, 2000 STRATEGIC GOAL OF CROATIA “To transform Croatia into a knowledge-based society and to make Croatian science and education sector the most competitive in this part of Europe by 2010.” – Croatian Medical Journal 2006; 47:809 – 24 – Croatian Medical Journal 2006; 47:809 – 24

65. Address http://www.mzos.hr Phone: +385 (1) 4594 341 Fax: +385 (1) 4594 349 E-mail: ira.buselic@mzos.hr or dvtopic@mzos.hrira.buselic@mzos.hrdvtopic@mzos.hr S-mail: Prof. dr. sc. Dražen Vikić-Topić Ministry of Science, Education and Sports Strossmayerov trg 4 10000 Zagreb