ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set targets for the development of science and know-how in Kazakhstan throughout a gathering of the Nationwide Council of Science and Expertise on April 12. Akorda’s press service reported. The occasion marked Scientific Staff’ Day.
Picture credit score: Akorda.
Welcoming the individuals to the assembly, Tokayev drew their consideration to the present scenario within the nation.
“Extreme flooding that had not been skilled in additional than 80 years precipitated important injury in a number of areas of the nation. Many settlements are flooded. Usually, the scenario could be very troublesome,” he acknowledged, highlighting that world local weather change has precipitated a rise within the variety of pure disasters throughout the planet.
In 1980-1985, about 1,700 disasters had been recorded on the planet, and in 2010-2015 their quantity exceeded 3,700. Virtually half of them had been associated to water. In keeping with Tokayev, this represents a critical risk to all of humanity. The world faces a particularly pressing job to forestall such emergencies and make sure the security of the inhabitants. Science needs to be one of many instruments to implement this job.
“Throughout the present floods, we particularly felt the scarcity of certified specialists and scientists within the nation. I’ve repeatedly emphasised the significance of creating nationwide science. It’s clear that this can’t be executed in a day or a yr. This may require years of lengthy and onerous work,” the President emphasised.
Tokayev emphasised the vital must rebuild the nation’s scientific potential. At the moment, nations that prioritize scientific progress have assumed main positions on the planet and Kazakhstan needs to be a type of nations.
“Final yr it was determined to allocate 625 billion tenge ($1.4 billion) for the event of science for 3 years. Sooner or later, the State will proceed to progressively enhance the price range for science,” he stated, highlighting that scientists’ salaries have doubled.
In keeping with Tokayev, it’s important to adapt shortly to adjustments and regularly search new progress alternatives to make sure the nation’s continued progress.
On this regard, the President highlighted 5 pressing issues that should be solved to strengthen the potential of nationwide science and create circumstances for the widespread introduction of improvements in all spheres of life.
Science as a device to foretell pure disasters
The President pressured how important it’s to make use of the complete potential of science to forecast pure and man-made disasters and fight local weather change.
“Science can’t exist in isolation from the pressing problems with state improvement. It should serve society and the nation and, subsequently, not be summary, however utilized in nature and helpful in on a regular basis life. Life itself confirms that the shortage of a scientific method results in critical damaging penalties,” he acknowledged.
Science should contribute to the progressive improvement of the economic system
Regardless of the measures taken to industrialize the nationwide economic system, its uncooked materials nature has not but modified considerably. The federal government faces the duty of constructing a brand new financial mannequin, the core of which needs to be sustainable worth chains. In keeping with Tokáyev, the petrochemical and oil companies sectors are very promising on this space (manufacturing of plastic, carbon nanotubes, carbon fiber, graphene).
“Scientific efforts should not solely deal with tutorial wants but in addition take into account the strategic aims of nationwide improvement and financial necessities. To do that, clear analysis priorities should be decided primarily based on the most effective worldwide expertise,” he acknowledged.
Tokayev additionally centered on the commercialization of scientific advances.
“Nationwide science faces critical challenges within the face of the necessity to decarbonize Kazakhstan’s economic system. Many developed nations are implementing initiatives on renewable vitality sources and have already got the suitable technological potential for the transition in the direction of carbon-free improvement and the creation of latest financial clusters. To maintain up with world traits on this space, we’d like our personal scientific advances, given our traits,” the President famous.
Accelerated improvement of synthetic intelligence
In keeping with some estimates, synthetic intelligence will account for 7% of world gross home product (GDP) by 2030, and by 2027, the worldwide synthetic intelligence market capitalization will considerably exceed $400 billion.
“In Kazakhstan, synthetic intelligence is successfully utilized in safety, medication, banking, logistics and schooling. …On the similar time, complete authorities assist is required for the profitable improvement of the business. We have to create an ecosystem that gives shared entry to knowledge and technological infrastructure,” Tokayev stated.
It is vital that the event of synthetic intelligence takes a inventive method. Due to this fact, extra consideration must be paid to creating moral tips, knowledge safety, and stopping cyberattacks.
Improvement of college science and scientific infrastructure.
The efficient reforms in science and secondary schooling undertaken in recent times have led to a departure of personnel from the upper schooling system. Certified academics with tutorial levels started to maneuver to colleges and scientific organizations with larger salaries, Tokayev stated.
“At the moment, amongst college professors and academics, the proportion of specialists with an educational diploma is simply over 40%. These traits can’t however have an effect on the standard of coaching not just for grasp’s and doctoral college students, but in addition for bachelor’s college students,” stated the president, instructing the competent ministry to undertake concrete measures.
Strengthen the potential of human assets in science
Tokayev pressured the necessity to strengthen the coaching of specialists for precedence sectors of the economic system and supply complete assist to younger scientists.
“It’s important to supply our scientists with the chance to do internships overseas inside the framework of postdoctoral packages. On the similar time, you will need to assure them a good scholarship that enables them to focus on analysis,” the president stated.
Tokayev famous that the proportion of doctoral college students amongst all college students at Kazakh universities stays low and urged related our bodies to deal with this subject intimately and take applicable measures.
The event of science is a precedence of strategic significance for Kazakhstan, the President pressured. It’s essential to create the circumstances for proficient and succesful younger individuals to dedicate themselves to science. Creation, innovation, data and dedication to science are the primary qualities {that a} actually superior nation wants.
“Colleges ought to encourage college students’ curiosity in science. We should direct all our efforts to advertise data and science,” stated Tokáyev.