- Published: 31.07.2015.
Ministers announce incentives for junior researchers to remain in Croatia
New employment incentives for young scientists at public universities will enable 1,500 young researchers to continue their careers and remain in Croatia and in that way contribute to developing science and the economy, Deputy Prime Minister Grcic and Minister Vedran Mornar said on Friday.
Under the Higher Education Act, 30 July was the deadline for junior researchers to apply and now universities will have the opportunity to advertise vacancies.
The government is interested in keeping young scientists in Croatia as the knowledge they have gained is of immeasurable significance to the Croatian community, society and economy, Grcic told the press conference. The outflux of young people to the West and other developed countries is a natural process, however we wish to stop it or at least slow it down and keep them in Croatia, he added.
"Around HRK 1.5 to 2 million is invested in each of them over a period of six to ten years or almost HRK 2 billion for 1,300 junior researchers, which is enormous capital invested in their knowledge," Grcic claimed.
According to Grcic, the employment tender will facilitate the return of young scientists studying abroad because "Croatia is definitely a beautiful and good place to live," and that it was important that this programme will allow Croatia's scientific community to grow by fifteen percent, which he said is not negligible, particularly when it is often said that we do not have enough highly educated people and that we are investing too little in science.
Minister Mornar added that this will resolve the problem of rejuvenating universities. "We have secured young people to remain at universities and transfer their knowledge to the next generation of students and with their scientific work to contribute to improving Croatia," he underscored.
(Text and Photo: Hina)