Council for Applied Science

Why a Council for Applied Science

Serbia has a strong scientific base and a highly qualified research community, but too few research results become products, licences or spin-off companies. Collaboration between science and industry is weak, private investment in research and development is low and technology transfer is limited. The Council is meant to be a lasting channel between research and the economy, where research organisations and innovation support organisations work together on projects, partnerships and reform proposals, so that research results find their way to the market.

The founding session

At the session, the members signed a founding Declaration and set out the Council's priorities for its first year: stronger collaboration between science and business, knowledge and technology transfer and the commercialisation of research, an environment that supports cooperation and innovation, greater visibility and accessibility of research capacities, and stronger international and regional cooperation. Speakers included Jelena Bojović, Program Director at NALED, Zita Sereš, Dean of the Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, and Tamara Stanković of Philip Morris International.

What the Council will work on

The topics proposed for the pilot year include more intensive knowledge and technology transfer, a better legal and financial framework for commercialising research, incentives for investment in research and development, clearer rules for spin-off companies, industrial doctorates, and stronger researcher competences in protecting intellectual property. Public procurement and the import of equipment and materials for research are also on the list.

The next steps are to send the founding act and rules of procedure to all members, elect the Council's presidency, agree the work plan for the first year and start the first thematic activities, with working groups where they are needed.