Minister sets out new framework research law

A new framework research and technological development law for Algeria includes a review of the National Evaluation Council and strengthening and widening the scope of activities of thematic research agencies, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Mohamed Mebarki has told members of parliament.

Presenting the bill to the commission for education, higher education, research and religious affairs of the Assemblée Populaire Nationale, the lower house of parliament, Mebarki said the new law aimed to “develop the functions of the national research system… regarding the programming, evaluation and promotion of the results of scientific research and technological development”, reported the Algérie Presse Service, or APS.

He said the legislation was intended to “review the composition of the National Evaluation Council, which should be principally composed of independent scientific members. It must also strengthen the services of the thematic research agencies, and expand the programming of their research activities and evaluation of their results through cross-sector commissions”.

On programming, the new law proposed “mechanisms for selecting national research programmes according to priorities, and granting all ministerial departments the opportunity to propose areas and approaches they regard as priority”, said Mebarki.

Concerning internal and external evaluation, he underlined the importance of “drawing up laws to determine this process, which would be applicable to all research and scientific areas and compulsory for all sectors”, reported APS.

On promoting results of research, innovation and technological development, Mebarki stressed the need for the authorities to support innovation-based society at all stages, adding that businesses investing in the research sector would benefit from financial subsidies from the national research budget.

* This article is drawn from local media. University World News cannot vouch for the accuracy of the original reports.