EU with ambitious scientific research investment plan

The European Parliament recently approved an investment project of 54 billion euros to promote scientific research in Europe. Expected to be implemented from now until 2013, the framework program 7 (FP7) will focus on key areas of research, in which information-communication technology is most supported with 9.1 billion euros , next to health, transportation, nanotechnology, energy, and environment.

(Photo: grahamwatsonmep) According to Janez Potocnik, the Commissioner for Scientific Research, compared to the previous program, FP7 is supplemented with an average of 40% per year. This project will contribute to the implementation of the reform objectives set out in the 'Lisbon Strategy' - aiming to make Europe the ' most dynamic and competitive knowledge economy in the world '.

Besides, this strategy also aims to increase the investment in research and development (R&D) of Europe to 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2010. Potocnik believes that increased R&D investment is vital to Europe's development, which is lagging behind major rivals such as the US, Japan and emerging economies in Asia.

Currently, almost no country in Europe has up to 3% of GDP for research and development, including those like Germany with only 2.49%, France (2.16%), Britain (1 , 88%). Meanwhile, competitors like Japan spend more than 3% of GDP on R&D. The US and South Korea are also close to this level.

According to a spokesman for science and research Antonia Mochan of the European Commission, information-communication technology will be a promising area to attract investment and bring high profits. A breakthrough in this area can have a comprehensive impact on all the remaining areas. For example, shrinking a computer chip or making it malleable like paper can be applied across different industries. At the same time, scientists warn Europe is and will face brain drain if it does not perform well its commitment to boosting the knowledge economy, and will no longer be an attractive place to do so. scientific research.

Can Asian science ' cross over ' Britain?

In the next 10 years, the UK is at risk of lagging behind Asia in the field of scientific research - a report by the consultancy organization Demos in the UK last week warned.According to Demos, China, India and South Korea are " patent hotspots " and are turning the field of research from West to East.James Wilsdon, one of the report authors, points out that factors such as the fast-growing market, increasing research funding and the policy of attracting scientists from the United States back home have sped up speed. Scientific inventions are happening rapidly in Asia.

Korea has recently doubled its research budget and expanded its scientific research team.China has also boosted investment in science, while India has annually " released " 2.5 million students in technology, science and information technology .

VQ (According to Reuters)

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