The Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morantadopted this Tuesday the promotion of scientific and university talent as well as improving the financing of research, development and innovation (R&D&I) and higher education as the main challenge of its portfolio.
“Over the next four years we will continue to prioritize Science, innovation and higher education: Increasing and securing the financing of our research centers and universities, expanding public-private cooperation in Research, development and innovation“recovering the talents left behind, expanding rights for the research and teaching community and promoting open, ethical science with values,” he explained.
We will increase and ensure funding for our research centers and universities, thereby strengthening public-private collaboration in research, development and innovation
Morant made these reflections during the event at the ministry’s headquarters, where he also received the university portfolio from his predecessor. Joan Subiratswho recognized that the natural place of universities is next to science, since it is a place of training but also the place where 75% of Spanish research is carried out.
The minister praised the work of Subirats at the helm of universities, acknowledging the work “side by side” and the “excellent” coordination that has existed between them in recent years, and noted among his successes the reform efforts in higher education and This has the Cuts in public funding for universities reversed.
The First Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs also took part in the event, Nadia Calvino and the new industrial boss JOrdi Hereualongside the President of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Heloisa del Pinoas well as representatives from various universities and scientific organizations.
Work with the Autonomous Communities
The minister called on the Autonomous Communities to work together and fulfill the commitment Spend 1% of GDP – provided for in the new University Act – and put an end to the precarious employment of teachers and researchers in order to increase the Scholarships and to facilitate access to a public good that is “of central importance.”
“I know firsthand: without the university scholarships supported by socialist governments, I would not be an engineer today and would not be speaking here as a minister,” she said.
Morant is taking on a much broader portfolio by entrusting the powers to universities, although much of the legislative work had already been done the previous year when the new powers were approved Scientific law And University law.
It is now up to you to develop these texts but also to adopt the statute of teaching and research staff, which will affect more than 100,000 professors of public universities and which was not included in the law precisely because of its technical complexity.
The two regulations commit the Minister to a significant investment effort, as the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU) requires 1% of GDP to be allocated to higher education in 2030 and the Science Law requires public funding of 1% of GDP for research, development and innovation (R&D&I) grow to 1.2% of GDP over the same period.
And to achieve this, the main challenge for the Minister will be to maintain these investment efforts, which have set historical records in recent years if the European Funds (Next Generation).
Transfer knowledge
Since research and higher education are already grouped in the same portfolio – an old desire and aspiration of the rectors and the main scientific societies – Morant must face the real problem of Spanish science, the transfer of knowledge, and try to achieve that the scientific potential ( which is largely generated at the university) benefits the economy and society.
At the inauguration and handover of the portfolio, the Minister stated that “knowledge is the compass to face the present and plan a better future for society as a whole”, and she addressed her commemorative words to the former Minister of Health and former Rector of the Menendez Pelayo International University, Ernest Lluchmurdered by ETA 23 years ago.