Scientists, heads of the ministries, regional and state administrations attended the meeting.
Volodymyr Polokhalo, Chairman of the Committee, opened the meeting and emphasised that science is not only the base for development of the state competitive ability, but also a matter of national security, although in Ukraine the scientific capacity has been reduced by 20 times.
He emphasised that today "specific gravity of assignations for the research and scientific development comprises 0,95% from VAT", and added that "together with the reduction of the expenses on education and science, the quantity of the budget administrators increases, though the funds have been divided unequally between them." The Chairman of the Committee also pointed out that "under the conditions of the crisis and restriction of the monetary resources, it is necessary to concentrate the funds in science and distribute them according to the priority of the research lines."
The attention of the participants was drawn to the fact that today science is almost totally unprotected from the privatization of research institutes.
In the result of the hearings, the recommendations will be drafted and adopted.