Parliament approves draft law establishing science, technology and innovation funding body

Policy

The House of Representatives, headed by Dr. Ali Abdel-Al, approved a draft law submitted by the government on the creation of the Science, Technology and Innovation Financing Authority.

Dr. Ali Al-Aal said that the draft law came after consultation with the State Council, which is a law that is not complementary to the constitution because it is not related to the freedom of scientific research, but the management of the scientific research system, pointing out that the final vote on it tomorrow in the plenary session.

Dr. Ali Abdel-Al, Chairman of the House of Representatives, stressed that the philosophy of the project is based on the negatives revealed by the Science Fund. "This independent body was established. Its objective is to finance scientific research. It is composed of cadres with a great deal of specialization and expertise. The outputs of scientific research help the development of society. "

The draft law of the Finance Authority for Science, Technology and Innovation is a continuation of the development of the legislative system governing scientific research, and as an alternative to the Fund for Science and Technological Development, which was created by Presidential Decree No. 218 of 2017, a lower legislative degree than the law. In recent years, despite the confirmed impact of the Fund on the research performance of universities and research centers for several reasons, foremost of which is that the Fund is funded by Chapter 6 only, which has hindered the disbursement of staff bonuses for many months due to the exchange routine of this section Require additional approvals from the Ministries of Planning and Finance and the Central Agency for Organization and Management.

The draft law includes the establishment of a public body for the financing of science, technology and innovation, which will be followed by the Minister of Scientific Research, based in Cairo Governorate, and the right to establish other branches throughout the Republic by a decision of its Board of Directors.

He explained that the aim of the draft law to establish the Authority is to finance and stimulate scientific research, technology and innovation, and linking scientific research and community development, through the priorities determined by the state for research.

The draft law defines the powers and powers of the Commission, namely financing of scientific research and technological development, encouraging the utilization of its results, participating in the development of the general plan of the State, supporting the innovative capabilities of the science and technology system, supporting the full cycle of scientific research and product development, supporting the dissemination of data and information on science and technology and financing conferences and workshops. The use of the outputs of the research projects financed by the Commission, the financing of the travel of researchers abroad, the management of programs for the implementation of research projects financed by others, and the participation in the financing of scientific research And contracting with individuals, companies, banks and local and foreign bodies in accordance with the procedures specified by the executive regulations without complying with the provisions of the law regulating contracts concluded by the public bodies issued by Law No. 182 of 2018.

– Parliament