Follow-up group: more comprehensive development of biotechnology research
A follow-up group chaired by Director General Arvo Jäppinen, Ministry of Education, proposes a number of measures for developing biotechnology research and its financing in keeping with the recommendations of an international evaluation panel. The follow-up report, which is based on the international evaluation panel's impact analysis, will be submitted to Minister of Education and Science Maija Rask on Wednesday.
Stronger support systems - more cooperation
The follow-up group proposes that long-term, comprehensive development of biotechnology research be continued as recommended by the international evaluation panel. An item should be recorded in universities' target outcome agreements 2004 - 2006 to the effect that the core funding of the five biotechnology centres will be maintained at least at the present level, which is 16.6 million euros, and that seven million euros will be additionally allocated as special funding for research, equipment acquisitions and new development projects during the three-year period 2004 - 2006.
Cooperation in researcher training between sectoral research institutes, universities and graduate schools must be intensified and the resources of the graduate schools increased. The life sciences should increase cooperation with chemistry, physics, information technology and medical research, not only through research projects but also in the establishment of interdisciplinary degree programmes. Interdisciplinary cooperation will also be developed through linkages between the natural sciences and law, marketing and management education. The follow-up group proposes that graduate schools include more education and research in technology transfer, intellectual property rights and business know-how in their programmes.
The follow-up group further proposes that the Higher Education Evaluation Council evaluate undergraduate education in the life sciences, relevant teaching arrangements and the performance of the degree programmes. No new independent research institutes are needed; the present units should be strengthened and expanded, as appropriate. Joint use of large, expensive research equipment should be increased.
The Academy of Finland and TEKES should explore ways to contribute to the financing of universities' and research institutes' equipment procurement. In the opinion of the follow-up group, no new technology transfer units are needed. Instead, the performance of the existing units should be enhanced and developed to better serve researchers, research institutes and businesses. The quality and financing of biotechnology research should be developed in the agriculture, forestry and environment sector, and cooperation with other partners, especially universities and industry, should be stepped up.
The group proposes the setting up in 2005 of a committeerepresenting biotechnology research, education, product development, technology transfer and business to review the implementation of the recommendations of the international impact analysis of public biotechnology funding.
For additional information: Mr Arvo Jäppinen, tel. +358-9-160 77220 and Ms Marja Pulkkinen, tel. +358-9-160 77223