Tirosh calls on government to expand R&D funding
10/16/2012 03:40
Chairwoman of the Knesset Science and Technology Committee recommends NIS 100 m. for financing research infrastructure.
Dr. Eran Meshorer (right) Photo: Courtesy Hebrew University
Government expenditure for scientific research and development must be
increased, said MK Ronit Tirosh, chairwoman of the Knesset Science and
Technology Committee.
She made her comments on Monday after being shown a
detailed report by National Council for Research and Development chairman Prof.
Yitzhak Ben-Yisrael, which covered the council’s activities for 2010-
2011.
The body of 16 leading scientists from academia, industry and
research institutes advises the government, helps prepare its policy on civilian
research and development and warns about problems and failures.
After
preparing the report, the council recommended that NIS 100 million go toward
financing research infrastructure and that the academic colleges – and not only
the universities – be encouraged, with funding, to conduct more research. The
council also suggested encouraging scientific and research excellence in the
educational system, strengthening connections between academia and industry and
doubling government investment in business research and
development.
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Herschkowitz said it
was “the first time that the cabinet has discussed such a report and decided to
set up interministerial committees to implement the report with the council’s
recommendations.”
Summarizing the discussion, Tirosh called on the
government to increase its investment in research so that the state covers half
of costs compared to the civilian/ business sector.
She added that the
Treasury must raise the budget for the Industry and Trade and Labor Ministry’s
chief scientist’s office, as it has been proven to be the most efficient pathway
for boosting civilian research & development.