President of National Science Academy: Our business is inert about science

- You had great hopes about the state program on science development. Probably, now after its adoption by the head of state, you have started to implement your ideas actively.

- We have been waiting for this for many years. The document, signed by the president, will allow to reform this sphere and define development trends which are priority for Azerbaijan.

Certainly, now we are not going to waste time but to deal with the settlement of important issues in science. UNESCO experts to arrive in Azerbaijan later this month to study situation and prepare recommendations will help us to implement this program.

One of our problems that we want to settle is the elimination of tariffs on scientific equipment carried from abroad, which we need today. Or at least they could have been transferred to a privilege basis.

- Is any staff reduction expected in the academy this year?

- Staff reduction is an inevitable process. We must say farewell to the employees that are useless. But how to do it? The only generally accepted mechanism is attestation, envisioning promotion or reducing in position, but not dismissal. So, to settle this problem we need to develop a new system.

By the way, next year we will pass to a contract system that will help us get rid of useless employees at least in part.  

- Will serious scientific studies be held in Azerbaijan?

- It requires modern technique. We started purchasing the necessary equipment just last year. Next year we will continue this. We will receive about AZN 4-5 mln for the purpose.

- Now talks have become more intensive about innovations and large investment to high technologies. But is our science ready to fulfill large scale tasks after a long obliged interval?

- Why not? We have a potential for this. Currently, the international innovation center of innovative technologies of the CIS states is being created. Azerbaijan is invited to take part in this project. Yet, like other countries we will have to contribute about AZN 500,000 before joining this process.

- Do you consider that this is because science is inert about our economy?

- This is our most painful problem. In the reality, our business is inert about science. This is both our fault and the fault of local businessmen. We are propagandizing science not enough. It it now not the time when science should be developed for the sake of science. It should be oriented on the market, fulfill orders of commercial organizations and companies.

- There have been proposals about integration of academic institutions into universities. How will it be useful to us?

- I think education will not benefit from it, while science will be reduced to the level of lab classes.

Supporters of western model of education offer to concentrate everything around high schools. But I think this will not be positive. Harmonization is needed here.

/Day.Az/