Ukraine working on improvement of science parks
In Ukraine, work is starting on the Science City, which should improve the activity of science parks, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said.
"We are starting to work on a new project in the field of education, science and innovation. We will create Science City to strengthen the activity of science parks. Science City will activate the work of science parks, universities and research institutes, make them modern, innovative and flexible," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Thursday.
According to Fedorov, at present, out of 36 scientific parks, the majority exists only formally, and in fact only five have innovative activities. Therefore, a bill on the implementation of Science City was created, which is designed to reform the institute of science parks.
"Science City is a logical continuation of the transformation of education. We want to build a fast and flexible education system adapted to the challenges of time. In order for Ukraine's GDP to grow, we need people with different competencies, so we are comprehensively transforming education — reforming schools, universities, vocational schools, creating new educational programs with a focus on innovations and opportunities for science development. A person who graduates from an educational institution should easily find himself and create effective solutions," he said.
Currently, the draft law on Science City is at the stage of public discussions.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science, the project to improve the system for activating innovative activities of science parks, universities and research institutes Science City provides for the creation of conditions for the development of research infrastructure, simplification of project administration and stimulation of investment activities, in particular, through the possibility of obtaining residency of Diia.City, the introduction of tax and customs benefits to increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian science parks, universities and research institutes.
It is noted that after legislative changes science parks will be able to cooperate with any organizations, opening up new opportunities for joint projects; tax and customs benefits will increase the competitiveness of universities, research institutions and parks in the market; science parks will be able to make purchases using private funds and lease state property without auctions.
In addition, with the residency of Diia.City, science parks will receive a reduction in the threshold of the average monthly salary from EUR 600 to EUR 800, without restrictions on state participation in their authorized capital, and all administrative procedures will be carried out through the URIS electronic system.
In addition, it is assumed that the results of the activities of science parks will be taken into account when certifying universities, scientific institutions and distributing state funding; there will be preferential customs clearance of scientific equipment, joint laboratories, centers for collective use, temporary free use of equipment; there will be a simpler registration of projects (instead of a paid procedure for 45 days - free registration for 15 days with no restrictions on the timing of project implementation); information on all science parks, their development programs and work results will be available in the open registry.