Director General of the Sector for Science of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of Slovenia Tomaž Boh held a lecture at UNSA

(Patria) - A guest lecture by Dr. sc. Tomaž Boh, Director General of the Sector for Science of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia, was held today in the ceremonial hall of the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo. The lecture was attended by members of the academic community, researchers and innovators in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNSA Rector Rifat Škrijelj, academician Mirko Pejanović, vice-rectors, professors...

Prof. dr. Mirza Dautbašić, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research Work at the University of Sarajevo, emphasized the importance of Dr. Boh's lecture as an opportunity to gain insight into successful practices of financing science and scientific work, and support for research exchange projects between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Slovenia, as well as support for the participation of institutions in European research and innovation funds.

During the lecture, Dr. sc. Tomaž Boh analyzed the current state of the research and innovation ecosystem in the Republic of Slovenia, and presented practical experiences and best practices in the field of science and innovation and their financing.

Dr. Boh began the lecture by expressing his satisfaction at being in Sarajevo and highlighted the long-standing friendly ties between Slovenian and Bosnian-Herzegovinian researchers. He emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation that has developed over the years, assessing it as one of the best in the field of science for Slovenia.

The main topic of the lecture was the analysis of the current state of the research and innovation ecosystem in the Republic of Slovenia. Dr. Boh presented a series of reforms that have been implemented in the past five to six years, highlighting a new law that has enabled greater autonomy for research institutions – universities and institutes. This autonomy has enabled institutions to create long-term development strategies aligned with the country's priorities.

One of the key changes he presented is the introduction of "block funding" for public research institutions, i.e., stable, dedicated funding for scientific research activities, which provides public institutions with funds for basic research in one block, which is an important step towards implementing autonomy.

Speaking about European cooperation, Dr. Boh emphasized Slovenia's involvement in the European Research Area (ERA) and the Horizon Europe program, highlighting the importance of policies in the field of research and innovation.

Financing was also a topic he touched upon, highlighting diverse sources of funding such as the state budget and structural funds.

"The state budget is basic, then structural funds, and then European and central Horizon Europe, but to avoid double funding of a project," said Boh.

Most importantly, Dr. Boh emphasized the importance of long-term institutional cooperation, and the need for policy support to enable such cooperation, but not for policy to shape educational policies. He stressed that universities must have a high degree of autonomy.

"There is no place for politics here except to enable people to cooperate, but there is no room for politics. Political ideas are short-lived, and we want to create cooperation that lasts beyond every government," said Boh.

Dr. Tomaž Boh's lecture was an inspiring opportunity for the academic community of the University of Sarajevo to gain insight into successful practices and reforms in the field of science and innovation being implemented in Slovenia, and to consider opportunities for further cooperation and development in these vital sectors.