university–enterprise cooperation

40
As it is concluded in Science and
Technology Country Report [75], Serbia
“has demonstrated serious commitments
towards creating a favorable R&D platform
for the future”. Thanks to adopted National
Investment Plan, a number laws 2 legal
framework has been provided for science,
education and innovation development.
Important novelty in both laws for education
and science, introduced the mandatory
process of accreditation for universities
and institutes, as knowledge and research
providers. Progress has also been made with
intellectual property legislation, by adopting
five new laws and by setting up Intellectual
Property Office of Serbia.
In order to establish a knowledge-based
society in Serbia, the development of a
national innovation system is ultimate
objective, as it is stated in this strategic
document. The National Innovation Audit
in Serbia [36] provides comprehensive data
on the key aspects on national innovation
system and has been undertaken for the first
time in Serbia, within Enterprise Development
and Entrepreneurship Programme funded by
EU and managed by the European Agency
for Reconstruction, in 2006. Here are some
conclusions, with reference to perceived issues
and needs in national innovation system:
• Enterprises need a range of well-functioning
supporting services, such as: technology
transfer advisory services, product
development facilities, technology training,
innovation management support;
• Significant weakness in national innovation
system is lack of linkages between industry
and knowledge institutions;
• The main barrier to more intensive scienceindustry
cooperation and to provision of
services to enterprises is lack of finance;
• There are issues related to information
and awareness about offered services by
the support organizations;
• In general, the financial self-sustainability
of so called innovation providers is
limited, although there are some institutes
2 Law on the Innovative Activities, adopted in
2005; Law on the Scientific and research Activity,
adopted in 2005; Laws on IP protection, adopted in
2004
operating successfully by providing
services to enterprises;
• It is not clearly defined legal status of
possibility of public research institutions to
invest and establish spin-off companies.
4.2.1.1 State Institutions, strategies and
programs
Ministry of Science and Technological
Development of Republic of Serbia (MSTD)
prepared new Strategy in June 2009, and
organized public debate. New strategy of
scientific and technological development
of Serbia in the period 2009 to 2014 was
called “Focus and partnership” [76]. Focus
because it defines a limited list of national
priorities in science and technology, such are:
Medicine and Human Health, New materials
and nanosciences; Environment Protection
and Climate Change, Agriculture and Food,
Energy and energy efficiency, Information and
Communication Technologies; Improvement of
public policy making processes and Affirmation
of national identity. Partnership because the
development of science and technology is the
main issue of society, not just of one Ministry,
and the implementation of the strategy itself
will bring together key players in all areas of
Knowledge Triangle not only in Serbia but also
abroad.
Organizational unit of MSTD, Department
of Technological Development, Transfer of
technologies and Innovation contributes to
establishment of sustainable bridges between
research institutions and industry, offering
support for the creation and development
of SMEs, especially innovative start ups,
scientific and technological parks, business
incubators, research and development
centers, innovative enterprises, etc.
Having in mind pervasive impacts of ICT on
national economies and global competition,
Government of Serbia adopted National
Strategy for Information Society development
in 2005, as key pre-request for inclusion of
ICT technologies into overall development
strategy of Serbia, comprising institutional
framework, recommendations, measures,
strategic opportunities and treats.