ICT research in Bosnia Herzegovina Where reform and improvement is needed: findings of the consultation phase

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ICT research in Bosnia Herzegovina Where reform
and improvement is needed findings of the
consultation phase

Sarajevo, Hungary Hotel 9 10October 2008
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Objective of the session

• Identify the common challenges and respective
  recommendations on the future EU-WB research
  collaboration, to be summarized in a final Policy
  Paper addressed to the EU Commission
• A set of actionable measures, specifically aimed
  at the WB policy community, will be highlighted
  in such a paper as being able to maximise the
  benefits of the EU actions in the WB region.

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Understanding the environment

• The ICT industry in BiH is facing a series of
  limitations in doing its business. The survey
  showed that
• Lack of ICT experts is recognized as a limitation
  by 68 of respondents.
• Lack of technical expertise is recognized as a
  limitation by 55 of respondents.
• Harmonization of local standards with the
  international ones is recognized as a limitation
  by 54 of respondents.
• Access to infrastructure is seen as a limitation
  by 53 of surveyed ICT firms.
• Access to the capital is seen as a limitation by
  49 of respondents.
• Legal, regulatory and administrative procedures
  are seen as limitations by 47 of respondents.

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Problems and Challenges

• From the open discussion during the consultation
  session relevant additional information and
  insights were acquired
• Research institutions in Bosnia Herzegovina face
  continuously various obstacles and challenge
  while trying to increase their participation in
  international projects, especially in FP
  projects.
• problems identified were classified according to
  their characteristics
• 1) in those related to legislative issues, 2)
  financial issues, 3) education, 4) policy, 5)
  infrastructure, and 6) other issues such as
  cultural, etc.

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Problems

• Institutional Legislation framework problems
• Unclear or inappropriate rules for intellectual
  property rights (IPR)
• Difficulties with researchers mobility exchange (
  legal rules and procedures i.e. visa, residence
  permits, work permits, healthcare insurance,
  taxation, social security, etc.)

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Reasons

• Institutional Legislation framework problems
• Practically, the solution of these problems is in
  the hands of political structures.Considering the
  current situation, it is difficult to expect any
  radical changes in their approach towards the
  problems of scientific research because real
  political platforms (as opposed to stated ones)
  are based on other political arguments (national,
  religious, privileges,)

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what could be done

• Institutional Legislation framework problems
• Political and financial support to State bodies
  should be made conditional on relevant changes of
  Law regulations and especially its application.

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Problems

• Financial problems
• The finance for the research in information
  technologies is still very low.
• Lack of investments from the business sector in
  RD, individually or together with universities.

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Reasons

• Financial problems
• Financing of science and research is generally
  very low (not just ICT) as it is not a
  quintessential political interest of any
  political party which has real influence.
• Large part of the business sector has very
  limited investment possibilities, especially into
  RD. On the other hand, a certain number of
  companies, which have the necessary financial
  means, do not invest their funds into RD, or
  invests them into development resources of their
  own companies. These are usually companies who
  hold the monopoly (public companies) or companies
  who acquired great amounts of finances using
  other arguments, and not by applying research and
  development results and IT.

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what could be done

• Financial problems
• It is necessary to change the working conditions
  of local companies so that their successes should
  be correlated with knowledge and technologies
  that they use. It is a complex and long process
  and it would be difficult to implement it without
  any additional assistance. All kinds of
  assistance should be conditioned with vital
  changes in business relations as well as with the
  change in Governments attitude towards financing
  and treatment of RD.

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Problems

• Education (HRD) problems
• Skilled ICT researchers are leaving the country.
• Lack of Leadership willingness to identify
  scientific niche and appropriate call in which
  its own institution has a chance to receive a
  project grant
• Lack of researchers mobility between EU and BiH
• Lack of institutions management skills for
  coordinating international projects
• Lack of stronger cooperation between the
  universities and the business sector.
• Lack of science managers - professionals able to
  provide assistance in all technical problems
  related to FP and other international projects
  (i.e. skilled accounting professionals, competent
  collaborators, professional project assistants,
  etc.)

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Reasons

• Education (HRD) problems
• A real need for experienced and qualified
  scientific-research staff does not exist. The
  results of their work are not on demand in this
  country.
• The ones who stay here are mostly trying to solve
  their existential matters. The funds that come
  from abroad are not secure, and, despite being
  attractive, are usually disbursed on the basis of
  personal connections rather than on the basis of
  true qualities of the researcher.
• The criteria for receiving donations from
  internationally financed development projects
  (such as the European Commission) are usually
  such that local companies do not qualify at all
  they ask for income of a couple million Euros,
  previously completed projects in one or more EU
  countries, references from the local market are
  usually not even taken into consideration, (for
  BH conditions) a relatively high number of
  permanently employed researchers is being asked
  for,
• Universities produce relatively qualified
  staff, however, their profile is not developed on
  local needs (which is good in this particular
  situation) but on international standards.

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what could be done

• Education (HRD) problems
• In order to make improvements related related to
  the capabilities of institutions which would
  participate in FP projects, avoiding State
  structures in all processes of financing
  scientific research and development projects
  should be considered, and through those projects,
  strengthen a certain number of NIR subjects (ICT
  companies, research and development institutions,
  universities).
• All communication for RD projects should be
  realized through these organizations. This is
  very hard to implement, but is, in my opinion,
  the only way which can lead to somewhat faster
  changes in this area.
• Influence international institutions to adjust
  calls for proposals to BH conditions.

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Problems

• 4. Government policy political situation
  problems
• Lack of financial support from government for
  international cooperation
• Lack of encouragement policies in ICT especially
  in the collaboration between the institution,
  business and the academic community.
• Lack of governmental support in raising
  consciousness and motivating the academic staff,
  business, and students in research and
  development of ICT.
• Political instability in the region hinders
  cooperation within the region and with EU

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Reasons

• 4. Government policy political situation
  problems
• It is obvious that the core problem of the
  current status in the area of RD ( as well as in
  other areas) is linked to politics and political
  conditions
• The existing political environment is not forced
  (motivated) by anything to change that situation.
  Thus, this situation will not be significantly
  changed for a long period of time.

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what could be done

• 4. Government policy political situation
  problems
• Financing from abroad should directly go to
  private ICT companies, relevant research and
  development institutions and universities.
• These institutions should be helped in order to
  place their practical results out of the country.

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Problems

• 5. Infrastructure problems
• Lack of appropriate facilities
• Lack of adequate research equipment
• Underinvestment in science and technology, in ICT

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Problems

• 5. Infrastructure problems
• Investments into ICT infrastructure are
  insufficient, and the obtained equipment often is
  not  completely functional.
• A great amount of finances received from abroad
  is inappropriately allocated. One Parliamentarian
  Commission has established that it is not known
  how were approximately 8 billion KM of aid spent,
  and nothing has happened as a result.

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what could be done

• 5. Infrastructure problems
• Two approaches already mentioned further on
• Make conditions on political and financial
  support to State organs in such a way as to help
  RD appropriately
• Tie all international financing to institutions
  which, through concrete activities, show that
  they are capable to complete complex projects and
  to deal with received donations in a responsible
  manner.

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Problems

• 6. Other problems (cultural issue, economic
  issue, scientific excellence barriers, personal
  barriers, etc.)
• Lack of familiarity with FP and other funding
  programs.
• Business community does not see direct benefits
  from international research projects and
  therefore has low participation rate
• Low appreciation of the international cooperation
  within institutions, low appreciation for further
  scientific career of individual scientists.
• Lack of research in the business community.
• Overall low international reputation and
  scientific image of the country
• Low competitive status of ICT institutions of the
  country

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Reasons

• 6. Other problems (cultural issue, economic
  issue, scientific excellence barriers, personal
  barriers, etc.)
• Entry of local companies and researchers into
  real RD projects is made difficult. The
  criteria are not adjusted to local conditions. In
  addition, there are not many projects that
  correspond to local conditions. Local
  institutions usually receive organizational
  projects, one of which is this project as well.
  Such projects are very useful but in order to
  complete them, the participation of expert staff
  in the field is not essential, and neither can
  they receive true references from these projects.

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what could be done

• 6. Other problems (cultural issue, economic
  issue, scientific excellence barriers, personal
  barriers, etc.)
• Change conditions for the entry of local
  institutions and researchers into real RD
  projects.
• Value the references achieved in BH in a more
  appropriate manner.

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Open discussion

• Please add your comments and new barriers and
  recommendations