Without an answer to the question about the role of the science sector in Poland’s future, it is difficult to plan its financing. In many countries, science is the engine of the economy. In Poland, little attention is paid to it, incl. In documents such as the National Reconstruction Plan – said Prof. PAP. Marcin Bayes.
In January, the former rector of the University of Warsaw, A. Marcin Pałys became the new president of the Central Council for Science and Higher Education (RGNiSW). Replacing the professor. Zbigniew Marciniac.
PAP asked the professor. Pałysa about the main challenges of the academic community in the near future. He noted the strategic issues that will be important in the long term and current challenges. Speaking of the former, he noted that the role and place of universities and research institutes should be emphasized in thinking about Poland’s future.
“Without an answer to this question, it is difficult to determine the financing of science and education and their development directions. The role of this sector is almost unnoticeable in the various strategic documents. For example, in the National Reconstruction Plan, little attention has been paid to the development of research and higher education. This is exciting. Surprisingly, because in many countries European universities and institutes are seen as the engine of reconstruction after the epidemic crisis and the leap forward in the modern technical world ”- values.
According to information published by MEiN, under the National Reconstruction Plan it is planned to do the following: allocate 1.5 billion PLN for the development of research infrastructure, and PLN 2.4 billion in professional education. In total, about 270 billion PLN will be sent to Poland under the Kosovo Protection Act.
Speaking about the scientific policy of the state, A. Pace noted that today’s greatest challenges to civilization are not challenges that can be solved in one area.
“Conducting an interdisciplinary activity, combining natural and technical sciences, social sciences and humanities, is extremely important. In our country, the willingness to cooperate is very weak, because there are no effective incentives to work in interdisciplinary teams. There is much to be done in this regard”- Valuable.
a. Pais added that if Poland wants to develop new technologies based on science, it should invest in education and research. “This is not an expense, but an investment in our future,” he stressed.
“I would like to see this sector as a public good that deserves attention. The goal should not be to spend as little money as possible, because that will cause us to falter rather than move forward. Research and innovation will not play a significant role and we will not play a role. We will be able to count. on serious progress.
According to the data of the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS), funds for higher education and science in 2018 amounted to 1.21%. GDP, in 2019 – 1.32%, and in 2020 – 1.39%. Many academics are calling for an increase to 3 percent.
a. Pałys added that wages should also be raised in the academic community, because the main criterion has not changed for several years, namely the minimum salary of a professor, according to which the salary of other researchers, such as doctors, was determined. PhD scholarships also remain at a stable level. He warned that “in such a situation, it becomes more and more encouraging for the talented to remain in the research and academic sector.”
The Council of Higher Education and Science of the Polish Teachers’ Union and the National Science Department of NSZZ “Solidarno” are demanding an increase in the minimum basic salary for a professor by up to three times the minimum wage for work (PLN 9030 in 2022). a. Pałys agrees with this assumption.
As one of the main and strategic issues of science, A. Pais pointed out new ways of imparting knowledge.
“The pandemic has accelerated many processes related to distance learning and other ways of organizing education. It has also shown that it is important to share and disseminate research results as widely as possible so that they reach not only scientists, but also the entire community. On the Internet, based on data Verified and reliable ”- he pointed out.
The current challenge is the financial problems of universities related to sudden increases in gas and electricity prices.
He stressed that “these are larger expenditures than expected. Nobody expects such changes. It may mean that funds will have to be diverted from other areas – those dedicated to research and improving education. Increased support this year is necessary.”
RGNiSW is a representative institution of the higher education and science community, and its entire composition is chosen by this community. There are 14 academic teachers from universities, three representatives of the Polish Academy of Sciences, a representative of research institutes and state research institutes, and the Łukasiewicz research network. There are also representatives of the student parliament of the Republic of Poland, the national representative of doctoral students, trade union organizations and employers. a. Pałys will lead the work of this group for the next 4 years.
