At the sitting held on 10 February, the Committee on Science and Technological Development considered the Ministry of Science and Technological Development 2010 Activity Report.

The Report was presented by Prof. Dr Snezana Pajovic and Prof. Dr Milos Nedeljkovic, State Secretaries at the Ministry of Science and Technological Development and Branka Totic, Director of the Intellectual Property Office. The State Secretaries informed the Committee members that even though the budgetary allocations for science have been raised this year, they are still insufficient. Due to an increased need for funding, the Ministry took a loan with the European Investment Bank to be invested into scientific infrastructure.

The Ministry urges for more support for science and young scientists, stating that 1750 young researchers applied last year alone who cannot achieve any scientific results without proper funding, stressed the Ministry representatives adding that last year’s activity centered on the existing and new scientific project cycles and international cooperation.

The Committee members stated that the report fails to list the financial indicators on the funds spent during last year and requested a report on the overall state in that sphere containing data on the relationship between science and economy i.e. the effect of the work of scientific institutes. The also opined that science needs better funding.

Director of the Intellectual Property Office Branka Totic said that 290 inventions were registered last year, mostly by individuals, and to a lesser extent companies and firms. The complete invention database was included into the European Patent Office last year, which will ensure better protection for Serbian patents in Europe.

The Committee on Science and Technological Development endorsed the Ministry of Science and Technological Development 2010 Activity Report concluding that the Ministry performed the duty within its competence in a responsible and quality manner. They objected that the Ministry failed to submit a financial report on funds expended along with the Report.

The Committee suggested that the Ministry should continue the realisation of the Scientific Development Strategy from 2010 to 2015 in the upcoming period, as well as continue its activities on boosting investments into science.

The sitting was chaired by Srboljub Zivanovic, Committee Chairman.