The Committee on Science and Technological Development held its fourth sitting on 17 December, chaired by Prof. Dr Mileta Poskurica, Committee Chairman. The sitting was attended by the Minister of Science, Ana Pesikan and Assistant Minister, Aleksa Zejak.

The Minister of Science, Ana Pesikan informed the Committee members of the 2008 Budget plan, mentioning the allocation of budgetary funds concerning the Ministry of Science. She also presented the Ministry of Science’s Plan of Activities for 2008 that includes an increase of financial investment into science through the formation of a Fund of successful banks and companies that would invest into science; investment into the infrastructure of organisations for scientific research; allocation of national pensions in science; formation of a consulting office for the support of researchers; support of young scientists through the increase of the number of scholarships for doctoral studies and financial aid for printing masters and doctoral papers; creation of the Ministry’s systematic database; establishment of cooperation with the Serbian scientific diaspora, as well as the beginning of a creation of a mid-term development strategy of all scientific branches in Serbia. Minister Pesikan also briefed the Committee on the strike of employees in scientific institutions.

The Committee members went on to discuss the presented reports.