On October 29, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Science and Scientific Activities Bill into Law. The document was passed by the Legislative Chamber on July 22 and was approved by the Senate on October 11.
The freedom of scientific creativity and information, efficiency and competition, incentives and stimulation, non-harm to human life and human health and the environment have been identified by the Law as the main principles of the science and scientific activities.
According to the Law, the main objectives of the science and scientific activities are achieving competitiveness and efficiency of the national economy, facilitating the formation of an environment of aspiration for science and its attractiveness, involvement of young people into scientific activity, close integration of science, education and production and the development of international cooperation in this field.
The Law secures the powers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Innovative Development, the Academy of Sciences, Universities, local government bodies, citizens, NGOs and other structures in regulating the area.
A separate article is devoted to attracting the youth to science and research. This should be done through the development of government programs, efforts to identify and educate talents, setting up of specialized schools, special classes, centers and training courses.
“The state will support scientific associations of young scientists in scientific organizations and educational institutions, in production and other industries. Appropriate conditions must be created for young scientists and students to carry out scientific activities In scientific organizations and higher educational institutions,” the law said.
The law emphasizes that priority areas for the development of science and technology should be developed in order to provide a scientific solution for achieving competitiveness and efficiency of the national economy, increasing labor productivity, creating new industries, and improving the quality of life of the population, systems of science and education.
The document also describes the principles of financing the science and scientific activities.
The Law takes effect on the day of its official publication, on October 30.
