Today, the Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, presented the new draft law “On Science and Scientific Research in the Republic of Albania” to the Parliament, describing it as an important piece of legislation that addresses the rapid progress in science and research at home and abroad.
In her speech, Manastirliu emphasized the importance of this law as a step towards fulfilling EU requirements in the areas of innovation and science, as part of Chapter 25 of the EU integration negotiations.
“After three decades since the 1994 law, we now have a new draft law that includes new actors and updated legislation, in line with European laws to support sustainable development and innovation in our country,” Manastirliu said.
The Minister emphasized the favorable environment for institutional cooperation with local and foreign partners, as well as the increased state funding for the development of scientific research, while highlighting the support this law provides to Albanian scientists and researchers. According to Manastirliu, 130 infrastructure and scientific research projects have been funded until 2024, opening doors for hundreds of aspiring scientists and lecturers.
“We have quintupled the funding for scientific research under this government mandate. By 2024, 130 research and infrastructure projects have been funded by the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, significantly expanding the number of researchers, teachers and students involved in these initiatives. Meanwhile, by increasing the number of national scientific research initiatives, we have broadened the scope of our efforts.
Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education and Sport, commented on the internationalization of scientific research: “By actively participating in global scientific research efforts and programs such as CERN, COST, CEEPUS and EUREKA, we have made great progress in the internationalization of scientific research. We currently have a success rate of 16.4% in the Horizon Europe program, compared to 8.8% in the Horizon 2020 program, which has also increased the amount of money awarded. These results are tangible. We have secured €6.6 million in just 3.5 years, compared to €5.8 million in 7 years under Horizon 2020,” Manastirliu said.
The establishment of the National Council for Science and Scientific Research, which will serve as an advisory body to the Prime Minister, is one of the major innovations and features that Minister Manastirliu also mentioned in the draft law.
“This council will assist in the development of the national research strategy and will make important proposals for the advancement of scientific research in the country,” Manastirliu said.
According to Manastirliu, the law aims to ensure a favorable atmosphere for autonomous and creative research, in addition to strengthening the research infrastructure. It also aims to establish a national register of research institutes, which will contain information on the country’s scientists and research institutes.
“This draft law will give a new impetus to scientific research in Albania and put it on a par with European countries,” said the minister at the end of her speech. We need open science that has a direct impact on the growth of our economy and society, and is free to conduct research.