Konferencë Mbi Prezantimin E Strategjisë Ndërsektoriale Të Shkencës, Teknologjisë Dhe Inovacionit
Konferencë Mbi Prezantimin E Strategjisë Ndërsektoriale Të Shkencës, Teknologjisë Dhe Inovacionit
Konferencë Mbi Prezantimin E Strategjisë Ndërsektoriale Të Shkencës, Teknologjisë Dhe Inovacionit
KËSHILLI I MINISTRAVE
AGENDA
DRAFT FINAL
June 2009
1
CONTENTS
Preface ………………………………………………………………………………3
Acronyms and abbreviations ……………………………………………………… 4
Preamble …………………………………………………………………………… 5
ANNEX …………………………………………………………………………28
Action Plan ………………………………………………………………29
2
Preface
Dear Reader,
I have the pleasure to present the Crosscutting Strategy of Science, Technology and
Innovation (SSTI), the first document of this kind that will comprise the long-term
platform of development, research and innovation in our country for the period 2009–
2015.
The high rates of economic and social development required in the process of
Albania’s NATO membership and European Union accession necessitate the
strengthening of the role of science, technology and innovation in our society. This
role comprises fundamental factors of a knowledge-led economy which are essential
to face the great challenges that lie ahead in a global and ever competing world.
This strategy defines clearly the vision and the number of important objectives that
relate to the financial and human resources involved to meet them, being harmonized
with the objectives of the National Strategy for Development and Integration, with
those of the Higher Education Strategy and other sector strategies. It is a clear
indication of current government commitment to place research and science alongside
higher education in the focus of governmental priorities.
Together with its action plan SSTI comprises a valuable guideline for the work of
policymakers, universities, academics and Albanian researchers in order for them to
make their contribution to meeting the objectives and activities during implementation
of the Strategy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank cordially all those who contributed in
drafting this Strategy, employees of the Ministry of Education and Science, the
Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination (DSDC), university staff, academics
and specialists of line ministries and other agencies, who enabled the collection of
information and gave valuable comments and suggestions.
Special thanks go to UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe
(BRESCE) experts who enabled the technical assistance and financial assistance to
produce these documents. Considering approval of this strategy as an important step,
we are aware of the great work that lies ahead for its implementation. Therefore, I
invite all stakeholders in this process to join their efforts to realize together our
common aims in this field, which is both beautiful and important, in order to
guarantee a rapid, stable and long-term development of Albanian society.
Genc Pollo
3
Abbreviations and Acronyms
4
Albania’s National Strategy on Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI), 2009–2015
Preamble
Science, technology and innovation (STI) are clearly recognised as fundamental
factors in a knowledge-driven economy and are important at all stages of
development, albeit in different forms or modes. The capacities to undertake scientific
and applied industrial research, to transfer them, to adapt and assimilate new
technologies into economic structures and diffuse them into society, and to creatively
develop new products and services using technologies (product and service
innovation), as well as through marketing, design and organisational change (non-
technological innovation), are fundamental to national competitiveness. The European
Union (EU), which Albania aspires to join, has set clear objectives related to research
and innovation as part of its ‘Lisbon Strategy’: to make the EU the most competitive
economy in the world. Albania, like other Western Balkan candidate and associated
countries1 , has lagged behind such developments due to the need to focus on laying
the foundations for growth (through education, legal frameworks, alleviating poverty,
etc.). However, the time has come to invest more in creating, diffusing and applying
knowledge if Albania is to meet its long-term development goals.
The need for a STI strategy in Albania is recognised by a wide-group of stakeholders
and is now placed firmly on the policy- making agenda thanks to the process of
drafting this Strategy. Co-ordinated by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES),
assisted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organisation
(UNESCO) and its consultants, the Strategy is cross-sectoral in nature and based on
consultations and meetings with representatives of a broad panel of ministries and the
scientific community.
It is important that the ownership of the Strategy is as wide as possible and that the
need for an on-going investment in STI is accepted across society and the political
spectrum in parliament. Those countries with the most successful record in investing
in STI to boost economic competitiveness are all characterised by a well- grounded
cross-party consensus that ensures that the commitment to a knowledge-based
economy and society is a constant feature of government policy.
An Action Plan detailing the operational aspects of the proposed measures for the
period 2009–15 complements this Strategy along with a proposal for the
establishment of an Albanian research funding agency.
Moreover, in the framework of the EU’s IPA 2007 implementation, the drafting of a
‘Strategy of Innovation’ has been foreseen, including plans for a centre of innovation,
and this action will further complement the current Strategy.
1
See for instance, Milica Uvalic, Science, Technology and Economic Development in South Eastern
Europe, UNESCO-ROSTE Science Policy Series N°1, 2005
5
CHAPTER 1. Overview of the present situation
6
to policy- making in the relevant field.
2
Enhancing Science Policy and Management in South Eastern Europe Science and Technology
Statistics and Indicators Systems, UNESCO-BRESCE Science Policy Series n°3, (2007)
3
Press Statement of the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Educational Matters, Prof. Myqerem Tafaj, 6
December 2008
9
operation with the QTTB and other research structures 4 .
• The Ministry of Defence envisages the intensification of R&D activities for
security and defence as part of a long-term plan for the Development of Military
Forces 2020. Moreover, NATO membership implies involvement in the Science
for Peace Programme 5 .
• The Ministry of Health has its own research agenda related to the improvement
of health services.
• The Ministry of Economy is planning to establish a Centre for Innovation that
would provide services to enterprises related to innovation and technology
transfer.
Finally, limited data on scientific publications and patent indicators confirm the low
level of output of the research system. There are no data or studies available that
allow any estimate of the extent of innovation activity (innovation expenditure, etc.)
or outputs in the enterprise sector (e.g. sales from new products or services, etc.).
Innovation surveys in other ‘catching up’ countries tend to show a relatively high rate
of investment in information and communication technologies, innovation through
acquisition of embodied technology and organisational change rather than formal
R&D.
A similar picture could be expected in Albania with most enterprises requiring first
and foremost advice on best-available technologies and related organisational change
in production process and training of staff. A limited number of medium-to- larger
firms, e.g. in the agro- food sector, potentially becoming actors in terms of investment
in product development R&D. Until the university sector develops the required
capacities and infrastructure to carry out more advanced research, there will be few
opportunities to develop high-tech spin-off/start- ups and investment in high-tech
incubators, etc.
4
QTTB are new structures, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection,
established as the result of restructuring of the former research institutes of the ministry (Decision of
the Council of Ministers No. 515, 19.07.2006)
5
www.nato.int/science/studies_and_projects/country-reports/ALBANIA-Country-Report-Feb09-
update.pdf
10
R&D and innovation funding, researchers mobility, etc.
The 2007 Law on Higher Education introduced greater flexibility and objectivity in
the funding of universities, while the Higher Education Strategy sets out a number of
ambitious goals to improve the functioning of the university sector. The primary focus
of the HE Strategy is on improving the quality of teaching at undergraduate and
masters levels, but it also formulates a number of orientations concerning academic
research, including doctoral and post-graduate studies. For instance, the HE Strategy
highlights the very low level of numbers of students in programmes of science,
mathematics and engineering (6% compared with close to 25% in many countries in
the region), or the need to bring the standards of PhDs into line with those of the
European Higher Education Area. Such issues are clearly fundamental for the future
potential of the Albanian research system to carry out high quality research to
international standards. Hence, the development of research potential in more
fundamental and academic research will need to adopt a phased approach, carefully
considering investments in infrastructure or research programmes against not only
‘good plans’ (e.g. research fitting with national strategic priorities) but also realistic
capacit ies to carry out the research (e.g. availability of qualified human resources).
The Council for Higher Education and Science (CHES) was created by a 2006
amendment to the 1999 Law on Higher Education. CHES was set up as an advisory
body to MES and to the Council of Ministers. Its main role is to advise on strategies,
policies and priorities (e.g. each university’s proposed five-year strategic plan to
assess its compatibility with this Strategy). The HE Strategy proposed to establish a
small, high level (and permanent) Research Strategy Group (RSG), under CHES,
responsible for developing a research strategy and for keeping it under review. The
extent to which CHES-RSG duplicates the role of CSPTD needs to be considered,
though at the present neither body is actually providing advice on STI priorities to
government.
As noted above, a major change in the research system occurred through the
amendment of the Law on the Academy of Sciences 6 resulting in the integration of the
former institutes of the Academy of Sciences into the major public universities since
2007. As in other European countries, the role of the Academy is now limited to a
representative and advisory role concerning science and no longer the carrying out of
research per se. Aside from advisory functions, the role of the Academy continues to
include management of scientific publications, and hence bibliometrics on Albanian
language journals, as well as the promotion of science through conferences or
awarding of prizes.
The integration of the former Academy of Sciences research institutes into the
university sector and the development of a research strategy within each institution
will clearly take time. During consultations for the drafting of this strategy, it was
clear that the rectors, vice-rectors, deans and heads of departments in the three main
universities are only now beginning to deve lop the foundations for the development of
a strategic management of research. To be successful, this process will require
technical support, ‘coaching’ and resources if the academic research base is to be
structured to become effective in terms of research and financially sustainable through
a mix of national public funds, international donors (including charitable foundations
supporting research) and, in the medium term, with revenue from contract research
and other services provided to enterprises.
6
La w N° 9655 of 11.12.2006 as amended on 27.12.2007 and 07.07.2008
11
At the present time, ‘research policy’ is administered through the Directorate of
Science at MES. The financing of R&D activity is conducted through institutional
funding by the government, programme financing through MES, programme
financing on the framework of bilateral programmes, and international collaboration.
The latter has been introduced recently and is largely financed by donor funding, is
thinly spread and may still be regarded as at a pilot stage. While there have been
visible efforts to concentrate resources and introduce competitive criteria this policy
has not been generalised yet.
Currently, MES is not equipped either to fulfil a policy- making and scrutiny role or to
implement the current, and certainly not, the future funding programmes foreseen by
this strategy. The policy- making capacities of MES in the field of research are
insufficient, even if some staff have been involved in Western Balkan research policy
co-operation initiatives. Moreover, the Directorate of Science has been without a head
and the four to five staff members struggle to deliver the current limited programme
of funding to applicants (delays in selection and annual disbursement rounds make the
process unsatisfactory for all concerned).
12
research capabilities.
At the same time, if Albania relies primarily on foreign funding sources alone, and in
particular the very competitive structure of the EU’s 7th Research Framework
Programme (FP7), this will lead to considerable disappointment as funding decisions
are difficult to anticipate. On the other hand, relying exclusively on national funding
and expertise is unlikely to lead to new frontier research, as the size of the national
scientific community is too limited to provide for the whole spectrum of skills and
experience needed. The virtuous circle – reinforcing competitive advantages in
scientific research and creating the competence to access funding from FP7 – will
help to reinforce national excellence.
13
CHAPTER 2. Vision, priorities and strategic goals
2.1. Vision
International experience suggests that it is important that there exists broad cross-
party parliamentary consensus on where Albanian science should and could
realistically be in 8–10 years time (some countries also use 20-year horizons and
systematic foresight exercises) and to what broader socio-economic ends an additional
appropriation of public funds for science will contribute.
The vision of science, technology and innovation is anchored on the single most
important resource for a knowledge economy: people. By 2015, the government will
seek to ensure that, in a selected number of fields, Albanian scientists will be
recognised as undertaking and producing international quality research.
Achieving such a vision requires the following:
• improvement of research infrastructure (including for university education at BSc,
MSc, PhD levels)
• creation of scientific excellence in selected research fields
• education and retaining of, or attracting, qualified people into the Albanian
research system
• increased public understanding of science and an improved awareness of the role
of innovation and new technologies for society and economy.
This can only happened through increased and targeted funding, appropriate and
modern policy management and gradual integration of the research system into the
European Research Area (ERA).
In line with the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI), which
adopted a limited number of priority sectors (tourism, agriculture and agro-processing
industry and exports), the STI Strategy will focus on a few priority fields enabling
concentration of the scarce resources available for core groups of researchers able to
attain a level of international recognition and excellence. This will not exclude other
fields, since a minimum capability in basic or applied research is needed to keep
tertiary education teaching up-to-date or to provide services to enterprises or to
respond to social needs. However, concentration is a prerequisite for excellence, as is
recognised at the European level.
Internationalisation and integration into ERA and the building of national
competences are mutually reinforcing. Albania is committed to playing as full a part
as possible in European level research programmes and initiatives, in line with its
financial means and strategic interests, and promoting participation of Albanian
researchers in the EU’s Research Framework Programme and integration into other
European research initiatives (COST, EUREKA, etc.).
In addition, the business sector will need to be encouraged to modernise and improve
its capacity to co-operate with and commercialise the results of research carried out
nationally, as well as bringing technologies up to international standards through
purchase of advanced machinery, etc., including related organisational change and
training. Complementary measures to support Albanian companies in this process will
be required, including support to innovation management and strategies in enterprises
and manufacturing advisory services and technology transfer. In this respect, EU IPA
funding will be mobilised wherever possible and access for Albania to the
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), including Enterprise Europe
14
Network funding, will be pursued to strengthen know-how and capabilities to support
innovation in enterprises.
In order to gradually increase co-operation amongst the various elements of the
‘Innovation system’, it will be important to work with organisations representing
specific sectors of the economy to enable them to motivate and raise awareness of
their member firms about innovation. Similarly, training needs to be associated to the
STI Strategy, in particular by building relevant basic skills and encouraging those
enterprises with technological know- how or R&D capacity to work with higher
education institutes on defining undergraduate curricula and at a later stage post-
graduate industrially relevant research.
As a consequence, the vision of the Albanian STI system adopted by this Strategy is:
“reaching of a critical level of research to support university education in
its three levels (BSc, MSc and PhD) as well as achieving excellence in a
small number of priority areas by 2015, through the concentration of
national and international resources and in close cooperation with Europe,
as well as through the provision of systematic support for innovation and
technology transfer to cater for the needs of the productive sector”.
15
the Albanian research system allow for the creation of four or five centres of
excellence, initially over a five-year period but realistically the process could take up
to a decade for the centres to reach maturity. The development of such centres of
excellence will be critical for improving the credibility and visibility of Albanian
research within the ERA, and thereby maximise the inflow of funds from EU research
programmes (FP7, COST, EUREKA, etc.). The procedure for the development of
such centres of excellence is set out below.
7
See for instance Figure 4 in UNESCO’s Fact Sheet (2007) for a comparative perspective:
http://www.uis.unesco.org/template/pdf/S&T/Factsheet07_No%20%205_ST_EN.pdf or the Global
Innovation Scoreboard 2008:http://www.proinno-
europe.eu/admin/uploaded_documents/EIS_2008_Global_Innovation_Scoreboard.pdf
16
CHAPTER 3. Policies to be pursued
18
to professionalise and struc ture this flow of services towards enterprises and
formalise, over time, the revenue stream such services can generate for the research
institutes.
Equally, there is a need to ensure that Albanian enterprises are purchasing the best
available technologies as part of their upgrading plans and to train workers in such
technologies. Indeed, the need is clearly present for the creation of a specific
government funding measure to stimulate the companies in the field of innovation and
transfer of new technologies. In this context, international experience shows that it is
most effective to twin such financial support for technological upgrading with
advisory services (the UK Manufacturing Advisory Service is a good example). The
Ministry of Economy’s proposal to develop a National Centre of Innovation and
Technology Transfer is hence clearly complementary to the proposed programmes of
the STI strategy. Ideally, this could follow good practice examples from the network
Business and Innovation Centres (BIC) and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC)
developed in the EU over the last decade. The BICs and IRCs are now combined in
the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), funded under the EU Competitiveness and
Innovation Programme; the Albanian Centre of Innovation should seek early
admission and support from the EEN programme.
The proposed NCSI (replacing CSPD) would be chaired by the prime minister, and
could work through the option (as in Estonia) of two sub-committees, one for business
innovation advising the Minister of Economy and the other, the Council for Higher
Education and Science, advising the Minister of Education and Science. The diagram
also includes a proposal for the Albanian Parliament to have a Committee on Science,
Innovation and Technology Assessment. Most European parliaments have created a
20
capacity in technology assessment to assist them in decision- making where there is a
scientific or technological issue. The advisory role of the Academy of Sciences is
reflected in the diagram. The Academy could also be a recipient of funding from the
ministries or ARA for specific tasks related to scientific publishing, promoting public
understanding of science, promoting scientific careers, library functions, etc. Such
funding lines are not drawn for the sake of visual simplicity.
21
Evidence of programme management and evaluation from other European countries
allows us to decompose the process model shown in Exhibit 1 into a large number of
individual tasks. For example, the process of ‘acquiring projects’ can be decomposed
as follows:
• communicating about the programme to potential participants
• acquiring high-quality proposals
• appraising proposals
• taking funding decisions
• establishing performance contracts with project leaders.
Each of these individual tasks is then further decomposed into a set of qualitative and
quantitative benchmarking indicators , against which data are gathered on a
programme-by-programme basis.
This logic of performance contracts raises the question of the organisation that should
ensure programme implementation and the day-to-day management of research
funding programmes in Albania. There is no single model that can be applied based
on the European experience: different countries choose to deliver programmes
through either the same government ministry that designs the policy (e.g. the cases of
Italy or Greece 8 ) or via specialised implementation agencies (e.g. the cases of Estonia,
Hungary or Slovenia 9 ).
A number of recent expert groups and working papers from Albanian experts 10 have
suggested the need to create an ‘implementing agency’ for research funding, notably
competitive funding programmes, and as a counter-part for international and bilateral
co-operation with similar research funding agencies elsewhere in Europe. There is,
indeed, a trend present in the countries selected as ‘peers’ (Estonia, Slovenia ), or more
advanced examples including Austria, Flanders and Finland, to separate the policy-
making function from policy implementation. Equally, the advantages of a more
flexible agency structure able to act as a ‘contact point’ and relay for participation in
the various EU support initiatives to R&D and innovation co-operation should be
underlined.
Given the cross-cutting nature of the research strategy and the aim to develop over
time a series of national technology programmes allied to the need to create a
structure with the potential to promote Albanian science and research capacity in EU
programmes, the option of an agency is reasonable. However, there should be a clear
demarcation of activities and the agency should not lead to a further weakening of
capacity to develop and scrutinise policy within MES.
3.4. Improving the legal and institutional framework for research policy-
making and research funding
The legal framework in Albania has been set out above along with the need for
overhaul of the laws relating to research, technological development and innovation.
8
Ministry of University and Research, Italy, or General Secretariat for Research and Technology,
Ministry of Development, Greece
9
Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS), Archimedes Foundation (Estonia) and Hungarian National
Office for Research and Technology (NKTH)
10
For example, Reform of the Scientific Research System, Report of the Group of Experts, headed by
Prof. Tafaj, January 2006
22
Redesign of the overall legal framework is part of the process of Albania’s integration
into ERA and should include aspects related to the legal alignments required for
European Partnership for Researchers (improving researchers’ careers and mobility),
joint programming, etc., as well as adjustment of Albanian laws to the EU’s State Aid
rules on R&D and innovation. The EU’s IPA is clearly a prime candidate for
providing technical assistance to MES and also to intervening to strengthen capacity
in the national science and innovation council and other ministries with research
funding activities.
The most appropriate legal framework of the proposed research funding agency has
been a subject of discussion in recent years, as well as during preparation of the
strategy.
Ultimately, this is a political decision. Nevertheless, the advantages and disadvantages
of the possible options can be summed up as follows:
• reinforcing the Department for Science within MES to carry out both policy-
making and policy implementation
o On paper, this option is the least costly and could be supported with a
technical assistance project to train and upgrade staff know-how.
o The main disadvantages appear to lie in the difficulty to attract and
retain qualified personnel within the public administration. Giving
higher priority to the creation of a small but well qualified policy unit
within the Ministry is a more credible goal than the development of a
professional cadre of programme managers with appropriate
administrative and technical skills.
• creation of an autonomous agency, the Albanian Research Agency (ARA),
which will be responsible for the implementation of the strategy of science,
technology and innovation, set up by a special law. This option is clearly the
most ambitious and would require a feasibility study and ‘business plan’ for a
minimum of five years operation. The Agency would operate based on a
separate budget line and report to a governing board, and ideally should be
representative of stakeholders (government, research system and at least one
or two business and societal representatives).
The majority of Albanian stakeholders consulted and involved in the drafting of the
strategy preferred the option of ARA. This, however, will require a full feasibility
study and operational plan to be drafted prior to a governmental decision. The Action
Plan for this strategy sets out an initial outline plan for ARA. It is important to create
the capacity to manage at least the centres of excellence and research infrastructure
programmes by the first semester of 2010 if these two basic ‘foundation’ initiatives of
the re-development of the Albanian research system are to be launched in a timely
manner. There is a need to mobilise bilateral co-operation funds, such as EU support
through an IPA project or ‘twinning’ with an existing EU Research Agency, or both,
to ensure optimal design and launch of ARA.
In terms of Intellectual Property Rights, Albania is not yet a member of the European
Patent Organisation (EPO) and one of the few European countries not yet to have
acceded to the European Patent Convention, though it has been invited to do so.
Administration of industrial property is instead carried out by the Directorate of
Patents and Trademarks (ALPTO) under the authority of the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Energy (since May 2006). Accession to EPC and membership of EPO
should be pursued as one of the objectives of this strategy. In parallel, there will be a
need to amend Albanian laws and procedures and to develop support services to
23
academic researchers and industrial enterprises related to both patents and other forms
of IP right protection and mana gement practices. ARA and the Centre for Innovation
(proposed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy) should support improved
know-how and management of IPR, respectively, for the public and academic
institutes and the enterprise sector.
The integration of Albania into other European organisations also needs to be
pursued, such as (full) participation in the Competitiveness and Innovation
Programme (CIP), COST and EUREKA. An IPA- funded technical assistance project
could develop a ‘one-stop-shop’ service within ARA acting as a National Contact
Point for FP7, CIP and programmes such as COST and Eureka. This implies that the
staff of the Agency should include technology specialists, financial advisors, IP
experts, etc., as well as administrative staff managing funding applications.
A basic assumption is made that the Albanian Government will progressively increase
national public funding for both the existing baseline funding provided under the
higher education budget and the ‘small’ research projects currently managed by MES,
but which could be transferred to the proposed ARA upon its creation. If the target of
0.6 per cent of GDP is to be reached this increase will need to be sustained and
progressive.
The current World Bank support for teaching laboratories under the Higher Education
Loan facility is included for completeness (approximately $2.6m in 2009).
The figures in the budgetary table assume that bilateral or multilateral donors
complement the available national public budget funds. Preliminary discussions with
the World Bank give grounds for some optimism about the possibility of allocating
funds through future loans related to higher education reform for research. Equally,
given the EU’s strategic goals related to research and innovation, the future annual
programmes of the EU’s IPA could be expected to support the implementation of the
24
research strategy. Funding for research infrastructure could be supported through
regional programmes as well as potentially by the EIB.
The above figures do not include potential research funding secured via the
participation of Albanian researchers or institutes in the EU’s FP7 or other EU level
research funding programmes.
25
CHAPTER 4. Evaluation and monitoring
26
C. Organisational arrangements
As in the initial phase evaluations can be launched individually it may be of interest to
study the Austrian ‘Platform Evaluation’ scheme and foresee a similar forum for
Albania. When more programmes will be operational an independent organisation
might be necessary to coordinate evaluations (e.g. the planned Agency). However, in
order to maximise the benefits and help train people it will be important to assure full
transparency of evaluations and introduce the idea of discussing them and exchanging
methodologies in an organised forum. The programme of evaluation of function and
capacities is one that is normally located in the ministry or ministries funding the
programmes and should be independent of the agency implementing the m.
27
ANNEXES
28
ANNEX 1
Action Plan for implementation of the National Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation of Albania, 2009–15
Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
Analysis of existing The objective of this activity will be to assess the existing
− independent assessment report on capacity and
capacity within public capacity within MES to initiate and administer forward
training needs to administer forward studies that is
administration and studies. Based on the results emerging from that
prepared, submitted and accepted by contracting
development of new skills assessment, tailored technical assistance will be provided
1 MES authority Sept. 09–Sept. 10
necessary to carry forward to ensure that the Department of Science of MES is well
− technical assistance and training delivered
studies (foresight, prepared to effectively and efficiently manage the process
including quality assessment of provided services
technology road-mapping, of design and implementation of such studies in the
by the beneficiaries
technology assessment) future.
The aim of this activity is to select strategic sectors, from
those identified in the National Strategy for Development
and Integration and during the preparation of the National governmental
− consultation process is completed and analysed
selection of sectors for Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation (2009– decision / MES
− decision is made, taking into account the results of
2 which detailed studies will 2015), which will be subject to more detailed analysis. In (leading Sept. 09–Sept. 10
consultation the consultation process, on the sectors for which
be conducted the light of importance of bottom up approach in research
detailed assessment will be prepared
priority setting, a decision about selection of sectors for process)
in-depth reviews will be taken following the consultation
process.
Procurement contracts to define concrete fields of MES (in
assessment of R&D specialisation within the strategic sectors e.g. agro-food, partnership − detailed assessment setting out ‘technology road
potential and setting of energy or biotechnology, for which there is reason to with other maps’ for sectors under review are prepared,
3 believe that Albania has the appropriate scientific June 10–June 11
priorities for strategic ministries on submitted and approved by the contracting
research sectors potential, as a precondition for concentrating research case-by-case authority
funding and building a specialised infrastructure. basis)
29
Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
30
Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
Pre-identification projects: a call for expression of − pre-selection of projects for full proposal phase by
interests in the form o f 3–4 page preliminary applications a committee involving at least 1–2 foreign experts
in a structured form, launched annually from 2010. Pre - ARA plus Albanian scientific specialists Jan. 10–June 10
selected projects will be awarded a grant for project − number of grants to cover detailed project design
preparation to prepare a full proposal. awarded by MES/ARA
Full proposals: submission of full proposals covering
aspects such as centre management and legal structure, − launch of call for proposals and management of
partnership arrangements, detailed description of research tender procedure
ARA July 10–Oct. 10
programme to be pursued and objectives to be met (PhDs, − full proposals selected by expert committee
research results, etc.), financing plan, monitoring and composed of at least 75% foreign experts
audit arrangements.
− specific projects are up and running and well
Project implementation and monitoring: implementation
managed (annual and final progress reports)
of the research projects, purchase of small-scale project Jan. 11–Dec 17
equipment or materials required for research projects, coordinators, − mid-term review reports (stop-go decision on (mid-term review
training and management activities, including reporting to further funding) by international peer review
ARA in spring 2013)
ARA. − annual report on programme implementation
submitted to board of ARA
Review of the outcomes of the current Brain Gain
initiative and detailed design of new programme taking − programme documents approved by board of ARA
Research Eagles Grants
6
Programme
into account international good practice. Study to be MES (ARA) − financing decision taken to cover programme’s Sept. 09–Dec. 09
commissioned with involvement of international needs (government and identified donors)
expert(s).
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Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
Management of database of open vacancies for
researchers related to new research infrastructure, centres − number of research posts opened and published
of excellence or other posts in the framework of ARA Jan. 10–Dec. 15
− % of posts advertised filled and grants awarded
university or research centre research strategies. Award of
Young and Returning Researchers grant scheme.
− number of scholarships awarded
annual call from
Management of annual call for scholarships for PhDs and
ARA − number of Masters degrees and PhDs obtained
academic year
Masters training abroad for young researchers. − % of students returning to Albania after study 2010–11 onwards
abroad
− number of Masters degrees and PhDs obtained
− % of students returning to Albania after study
abroad
Monitoring of programme progress and preparation of
annual report.
MES (ARA) − returning researchers staying in Albania after end 2010–2015
of grant period
− annual report on programme implementation
submitted to board of ARA
Programme set up: expert advice and study of similar − approval of priority field for 2–3 national
schemes in other countries to establish programme ARA and technology programmes by NCSI
National Technology
7 procedures and criteria to Albanian context. Study to be respective − programme documents approved by board of ARA Jan. – July 11
Programme
commissioned with involvement of international ministries − financing decision taken to cover programme’s
expert(s). needs (government and identified donors)
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Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
Launch of call for proposals for first national technology
ARA and − number of projects selected for funding
programme and selection of projects proposed by
respective − number of projects involving business sector 2012–2013
consortium of research institutes and enterprises
ministries partners and/or foreign partners
(including where applicable foreign organisations).
ARA and
Launch of a call for proposals for 1–2 more programmes
based on the results of the first programme experience.
respective − idem 2014–2015
ministries
Project implementation and monitoring: implementation
− number of projects completing research activities
of the research projects, purchase of small-scale ARA and
− number of research results exploited commercially,
equipment or materials required for research projects, respective 2012–2015
IPR protected or used as a basis for further
training and management activities, including report to ministries
academic or applied research projects
ARA.
Programme set up: expert advice and study of similar
schemes in other countries to establish programme − programme documents approved by board of ARA
procedures and criteria to Albanian context. Study to be MES (ARA) − financing decision taken to cover programme’s tbc
commissioned with involvement of international needs (government and identified donors)
expert(s).
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Procurement or call for projects for activities to foster an
interest in and an improved understanding of importance
of STI for the Albanian economy and society. Call for
− projects selected and funded supporting promotion
projects to be open to media companies, NGOs, schools. ARA tbc
of STI towards young persons, business sector, etc.
Specific activities of Albanian Academy of Sciences to
promote improved quality of scientific publications or
promotion of Albanian research results may be foreseen.
Project implementation and monitoring: implementation ARA
of media projects, purchase of small-scale equipment or (Albanian − number of participants to events, number of
tbc
materials required for research projects, training and Academy of subscribers to publications, web-page traffic, etc.
management activities, including report to ARA. Sciences)
Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
34
Drafting of the full business plan 2010–2015 of ARA Office of the
based on the ‘Concept Paper’, approval by government Deputy Prime Sept. 09–May 10
− business plan 2010–15 drafted and adopted by
and recruitment of management committee. Minister
supervisory board
Initial start up phase of ARA involving recruitment and − ARA established by government decision
creation and operation of training of staff, design and launch of initial programmes.
ARA − programme funding disbursed June 10–Dec. 11
11 Albanian Research Start-up phase support by technical assistance project (to
− annual work-programmes approved by ARA
Agency (ARA) be confirmed, EU support to be requested).
supervisory board
ARA fully operational. Annual process of approval of − annual reports approved by ARA supervisory board
work-programme by supervisory board and of previous
ARA − positive mid-term evaluation (2013) 2012–2015
year’s annual report. Independent mid-term evaluation to
be scheduled in 2013.
Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
5. Improving the legal and institutional framework for research policy-making and research funding
Review of existing laws concerning science, technology − technical assistance and legislative drafts delivered
and innovation, including State Aid, researcher mobility, on the legislative review
governmental
alignment of legal intellectual property rights, etc. The review will be carried
decisions, − government decisions and/or parliamentary
framework for STI with out by a team of experts who will report to NCSI. The approval of legislative change
12 Office o f Sept. 09–Sept. 10
European Union acquis required revisions to existing laws or regulations or
Deputy Prime − report on effective implementation or enforcement
and practice drafting of new legislative proposals will be undertaken of new legal framework by competent ministries or
Minister
by competent ministries or parliamentary committee, with other authorities (2 years after adoption of new
technical assistance from expert team. legislative framework)
Review of capacities, procedures and internal regulation − number of research performing organisations
improvement of influencing researchers activities (internal career and supported by technical assistance experts
MES ,
institutional and incentive systems) and management of research outputs − number of organisations adopting a strategic
universities and
13 management procedures (IPR) in universities and other research establishments. medium-term R&D plan on-going
other research
of research performing Technical assistance for development of strategic R&D
institutes − effective implementation of changes to institutional
organisations plans of universities/centres and for alignment of rules, career incentives for researchers, IPR
institutional frameworks. management practices, etc.
35
6. Adopting an adequate budgetary framework
Responsible
Nr. Activity Description Monitoring indicators Timeframe
institution
36
Based on results of the initial UNESCO-supported pilot
surveys in 2009, the Albanian Statistical office, MES and
other concerned ministries will continue to develop the − production and publication of principal STI
MES , Albanian
improvement of STI minimum baseline statistics allowing integration of statistics to standards allowing their inclusion into
Statistical 2010–2015
18 statistics Albania in the main European and international statistical the main international and European statistical
Office
databases for STI. Further support from UNESCO or EU databases
funded projects will be required to implement this
activity.
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