Lukashenko: Without effective academic science, the country's development will be problematic

Without effective academic science, the country's development will be problematic. This was stated by Alexander Lukashenko on December 3. The President held a meeting with the government and a working group that analyzed the activities of scientists. Their developments (and this is the main thing) should be practice-oriented. You can count on financial support if there are results in the work. The President's position is as follows: you can't hide shortcomings! If there are problems, they need to be solved. At the meeting, the head of state pointed out the colossal shortcomings of the government in supporting the scientific sphere. The share of criticism from the President today went to the industry ministries, as well as the State Committee for Science and Technology. They should also work in close cooperation with the real sector of the economy.

The fact that Belarusian science is in for a serious debriefing became clear back in the summer. Upon the instructions of the President, a special working group was created. For the past six months, it has been engaged in a thorough analysis of the scientific sphere. Like under a magnifying glass. This was supposed to be an outside perspective, but not only that - the scientists themselves were also involved, counting on their authority, experience, knowledge of the situation from the inside, and self-criticism. It is important to understand how Belarusian science and the Academy itself will develop further.

There were two reports on the head of state's desk. One directly from the working group, the second was submitted by the Academy of Sciences, where the consolidated position of the scientific community is. Even without reading them, it is clear: one is about shortcomings, the second is about what scientists are doing well. This, of course, allows us to see a more complete picture. A conversation about problems precedes a large meeting with scientists.

"The topic is extremely important for the country," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. "We will not be able to develop the country further without science. We have already done everything we could squeeze intensively and extensively from what we have in the country, primarily in the economy. We must continue to develop based on science. Without science, we cannot go anywhere. Investments in science and technology have become a key condition for the well-being of the state, a guarantee of progressive competitive development."

Reputable world-class scientific schools are successfully operating in the country. Belarusians are strong in such areas as biotechnology, optics, microelectronics, mechanical engineering, and genetics. But the times require super-speed and breakthrough developments. And most importantly, science must drive the country's economy. In fact, this is hampered by obvious lack of coordination.

According to the President, an analysis of scientific programs shows that the ministries do not actually participate in them. They are practically not among the customers. "And this is a colossal failure of the government. Is there really no demand for scientific developments in the industries?" the head of state asked rhetorically. "The government works like temporary workers: day until evening - and that's fine. And then? And the future? You can't do without science."

"How could it be allowed that such in-demand areas, such as drones, space, digital and biotechnology, are literally given over to the mercy of the Academy of Sciences itself? - Alexander Lukashenko continued. - It is its own customer, executor and controller. How can we do without practitioners in these areas who understand what exactly the economy needs?"

Therefore, as the President noted, there is no result, no one to blame - there is no one to hold accountable. "Research for the sake of research, if it does not meet the objectives of the country's development, is a Sisyphean labor," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

Belarus has repeatedly approached the issue of how to ensure a result that meets the needs of the real sector. The President emphasized: it is time to develop specific measures! In the new five-year plan, science in all its spheres should have a close connection with production and the economy as a whole.