Future tools
of the new scientific policy. To begin with, let's see what news the new project has.
Future tools
Eneko Oregi, Deputy Minister of Education of the Basque Government, is in particular responsible for inter-departmental coordination. Valid interlocutor, at all, to analyze the details of the new project. In the program “Norteko Ferrokarrilla” of Euskadi Irratia gave us the following details. In short, we have brought to the following lines the boring word of that day.
ZETIAZ-ELHUYAR: The new projects have focused on Education and Industry. Someone will say among them “it was time!” ..
Eneko Oregi: And it is certainly right. Collaboration has been instrumental in moving the new project forward, but there is more to it. The different departments work together on many things. The Department of Education, for example, has common programs with many other departments; department of culture, department of industry, department of land management and environment, etc. The new Science and Technology Plan for the years 1997 to 2000 is of paramount importance for its contribution and link between education and industry, and for its vocation to the entire Basque scientific and technological system. When I say system I consider the university, the technology centers and all the companies that are working in research and development. Comparing with what has been done so far in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, I consider this plan an important step.
N-D: The public and private initiative is grouped into the same project and is not limited to the economic contribution, but the plan will have the direct participation of both areas. What opinion do you deserve?
R. Oregon: The aim is to create a complete scientific and technological system of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. So far, it is true that the Basque Government, through grants from the Department of Education and aid from the Department of Industry, has supported companies and technology centers, with the aim of promoting private initiative. But I think it is the first time that research, development and technology companies, the university and the Basque Government work on the same plan. This plan is being developed at different points. As for money, of course, the Basque Government allocates a significant amount. Companies and the European Union will also contribute. A complete plan has been implemented.
N-D: What are the main objectives of this project?
R. Oregon: The important thing, undoubtedly, is to articulate a comprehensive system that enhances science and technology. To do this, the plan will promote training initiatives through the scholarship system, mainly by organizing stays of researchers in technology centers and companies. In addition, a researcher's mobility plan will be launched to strengthen the relations between research and the company. We will seek balance. Research will be promoted by university professors in companies and/or centres, and research centres and companies at the university. The aim is to complete the scientific and technological community of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. In addition to training, research projects will be supported and financed, giving priority to those areas considered strategic as the environment, telematics, language or biology. According to the spirit of the project, these projects will be developed jointly between technological centers, universities and companies. The third main area is infrastructure or equipment. Special equipment grants to companies, research centers and universities.
N-D: This plan aims to carry out the integration of political science. Will the Basque Council of Science and Technology be a backbone in the future?
R. Oregon: The Basque Council of Science and Technology will be the body responsible for analyzing, elaborating and advising Basque scientific policy. On the other hand, a smaller working group will follow the development of the plan and the development of the plan will be implemented. The Plan, as already indicated, will be developed between 1997 and 2000, collecting the actions to be carried out in these four years.
N-D: During the presentation of the project, emphasis was placed on the perceived demand from education and industry. In what direction is communication between business and research moving? Who has been the initiative so far to implement this communication?
R. Oregon: Companies, technology centers and researchers (university students and others) have made two main demands. On the one hand, they require basic research, that is, research without immediate effectiveness. On the other hand, they see the need for development or applied research, which is what companies need to develop the product. Between what companies demand and need, the projects that researchers have and the initiatives that emerged from the university has existed to date a gap that aims to overcome this plan. For research to be as effective as possible, so that we can use resources in the best possible way, it is necessary to combine these areas. Telematics, the language industry, etc. can play a fundamental role in the development of our economy. These areas are not industrial in the strict sense, but they are industries in the broad sense.
N-D: Not all the research competences correspond to the Basque Government. To what extent will this situation limit the development of the plan?
R. Oregon: The Statute establishes that research is the function or competence of the Basque Autonomous Community. However, at this time this competition has not been acquired, which means that instead of discounting it from the State, the different departments of the Basque Government must take money from other things if the investigation is to be carried out. We, of course, are against, and we have denounced that. The Basque Government has insisted that this transfer would mean an increase of 7 billion pesetas to boost research if carried out. Those who do not currently have and those who use the State for their projects out of here. However, the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country cannot be without studies. Therefore, the administration, companies and technology centers are working on it and we believe that this effort is necessary and fruitful.
N-D: It is known that education has made efforts to normalize the use of Basque in many areas. However, many times researchers who are trained in Basque have to immerse themselves in a completely Castilian world of work. What can Education do? What can industry, the world of work, contribute to make it more Basque?
R. Oregon: The Plan to Promote Science and Technology aims to give an important impetus to research in Basque and new technologies. The aim will be to integrate Basque into the most recent areas of work and to be a leader in technological progress. It is being done and we will continue to do so. In short, Basque cannot be left out of the technological field and the work system. Basque cannot be left out of the technological development of telematics, multimedia. If Basque enters this wave, it immerses itself in these new fields of science and technology, so it will be an important part of economic life. Which company will not use these new telematic, multimedia or computer media soon or right now? More and more are being used and more work is going to be done in Basque.
N-D: What would you say to entrepreneurs who believe that researchers live in isolation in their laboratories?
R. Oregon: They are wrong. Many researchers work in companies. Many others are willing to work with companies and carry out projects. Within the framework of this Plan, it is envisaged the possibility of joining efforts and projects from both parties and others.
N-D: And on the other hand, what would you say to researchers who believe that the need to compete for companies is detrimental to science?
R. Oregon: The same. Through the Plan you can see, through stays, scholarships and research projects, that both realities are ultimately one.
The project envisages an investment of 112 billion pesetas for the next four years. The Department of Education and Industry of the Basque Government will contribute about 42 billion private initiatives, such as companies, research centers, etc., 54 billion and, finally, the Ministry of Industry and Energy and the Funds of the European Union. One of the objectives of this project is to strengthen the technological network of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. To achieve this, a great effort will be made to improve staff qualification. New jobs will also be created. The forecasts point to the creation of 800 new jobs during the period of validity of the project until the beginning of the new century. |
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