Bulgaria ready for double-edged sword of mobility
Accession to the EU and the opportunities for mobility that this brings is likely to increase brain drain from Bulgaria, the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Science, Daniel Valtchev, has told CORDIS News. But Mr Valtchev is an optimist, and believes that this mobility can be regarded positively. 'I do not consider brain drain as a negative tendency. On the contrary, it means that young people are acknowledged and renowned in the European and even global research community,' said Mr Valtchev. The minister was in Brussels to open an exhibition showcasing Bulgarian scientific discoveries, achievements, researchers and priorities. In an interview with CORDIS News, he discussed what accession will do for Bulgarian research, what Bulgaria can contribute, participation in the EU framework programmes, and the double-edged sword of researcher mobility. 'What needs to be done in our country and in Europe as a whole, is to provide such opportunities, facilities, prospects and environment that young people have an ambition to return and to continue their research career in their home country,' said Mr Valtchev, returning to the issue of brain drain. Bulgaria is awarding between 20 and 30 research fellowships to talented scientists, encouraging them to study and gain experience abroad. There is however a 'return' component, obliging the recipients to return to Bulgaria. 'In our experience the scheme works well,' said Mr Valtchev. 'The brightest minds are given a chance to gain new knowledge from the best researchers in Europe and to be engaged in the most advantageous research developments. Another side of the coin is that they have to transfer this new knowledge back to the home research organisation.' Bulgaria has long been a part of the European Research Area (ERA). The country first began participating in the EU research framework programmes in the Fourth Framework Programme (FP4), and its status gradually changed from 'third country' to associated country, to candidate country and then acceding country. Bulgaria participated in the Sixth Framework Programme on an equal standing with the EU Member States. The success rate for Bulgarian proposals has increased from 7% to 15%. 'I would call it a success story,' says Mr Valtchev. A number of initiatives are intended to increase participation still further in FP7. A preparatory grant scheme will be launched during 2007, intended to support the elaboration of research ideas to research projects. An information dissemination campaign is also in preparation, and a co-funding scheme for high priority research funded under FP7 will begin in 2008. 'I have to admit that our participation in the Sixth Framework Programme has changed the mentality of the Bulgarian research community and the policy-makers as well,' the minister told CORDIS News. He listed improved access to research facilities; strengthened links between regional researchers and institutions; incentives for initiating research in new areas; joint collaborative research centres and the overhaul of regional research traditions as benefits gained from FP6. But the relationship between the Bulgarian research community and that of the rest of Europe has been a two-way association: while Bulgaria has been learning from its neighbours, it has significant areas of expertise itself. Bulgaria is proud of its reputation in the domains of biotechnology, genomics and proteomics, food quality and safety, information and communication technologies (ICT), and the design of instruments and components for the automobile, aviation and defence industries. Now Bulgaria wants to work with others to contribute to the advance of Europe's knowledge-based society. 'Our aim is not to ask ourselves what we will bring to the EU, but what we, together with our research teams across Europe, will bring to the world,' says Mr Valtchev. Bulgaria, along with countries around Europe and further a field, is being proactive in trying to convince society of the importance of science. The minister recognised that people are increasingly viewing science as changing their lives too quickly. The Government is encouraging direct dialogue between citizens, scientists and policy-makers, and recognises that this must be an open dialogue: 'To build trust you have to earn it. It is not enough to simply keep people informed. They must also be given the opportunity to express their views, fears and problems,' said Mr Valtchev.
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Bulgaria