SANU marks 170th anniversary

Serbia's oldest science institute Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) marked its 170th anniversary by a ceremony in Belgrade on Saturday. During over one and a half century of its existence, the SANU has changed several names from the Society of Serbian Letters, the Serbian Learned Society and the Serbian Royal Academy to today's Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. SANU marks 170th anniversary Serbian President Boris Tadic stated Saturday that the mission of this institute was not to serve daily policy nor be an arbiter in conflicts of interests which were beyond its domain, but rather to stay what it had been up to now - the most significant science and cultural institution in Serbia. He underlined that strengthening of Serbia's capacities for joining international science projects and prevention of brain drain needed to be one of state priorities and SANU missions. “We do not want to educate young researchers for others who are wealthier than us, instead we would like to create good working and living conditions and perspective for them so that they could realize their professional goals here and contribute to the advancement of economy, social and cultural life in their own country,” Tadic stressed. SANU Chairman Nikola Hajdin said in his welcoming address that every problem faced by the society was at the same time a problem of the SANU, whose approach to these issues should be based solely on scientific facts. Hajdin underlined that the Academy's main task was to analyze and study educational problems on scientific basis and act in that regard. Education and Science Minister Zarko Obradovic said that the science-research activities, along with university education, must initiate overall economic and social changes and reforms in the process of creation of a science-based society. “Today at an extremely complex social moment, Serbia expects from its scientific elite and inventors the right answers,” the minister said, stressing that the SANU had to be one of the cornerstones of Serbia's economic and social development. According to him, Serbia has one of the most important resources namely human resources - competent scientists, researchers, experts, and therefore it has to earmark much more funds for science and education. Culture Minister Predrag Markovic congratulated the SANU on its anniversary, and said that in future SANU would stay conservative, as it should be, but that it would find a way to connect young people and institutions with regard to projects and businesses which have to be completed. “Academics are the heart of the Academy, and we must never forget the people who laid the foundations of our state, sciences and arts,” Markovic pointed out, adding that 170 years was such a long tradition that we had to be aware that our responsibility towards the SANU was much bigger than the one it had towards us. “It is up to us to preserve an institute which such a long tradition since if we fail to do that, we do not deserve anything new,” Markovic noted. The central ceremony marking the Academy's Day was also attended by Serbian Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Deputy Prime Ministers Bozidar Djelic and Jovan Krkobabic, Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej, as well as representatives of religious communities, cultural and science institutes and the diplomatic corps. Boris Tadic is seen at the celebration (Tanjug)

SANU marks 170th anniversary

Serbian President Boris Tadić stated Saturday that the mission of this institute was not to serve daily policy nor be an arbiter in conflicts of interests which were beyond its domain, but rather to stay what it had been up to now - the most significant science and cultural institution in Serbia.

He underlined that strengthening of Serbia's capacities for joining international science projects and prevention of brain drain needed to be one of state priorities and SANU missions.

“We do not want to educate young researchers for others who are wealthier than us, instead we would like to create good working and living conditions and perspective for them so that they could realize their professional goals here and contribute to the advancement of economy, social and cultural life in their own country,” Tadić stressed.

SANU Chairman Nikola Hajdin said in his welcoming address that every problem faced by the society was at the same time a problem of the SANU, whose approach to these issues should be based solely on scientific facts.

Hajdin underlined that the Academy's main task was to analyze and study educational problems on scientific basis and act in that regard.

Education and Science Minister Žarko Obradović said that the science-research activities, along with university education, must initiate overall economic and social changes and reforms in the process of creation of a science-based society.

“Today at an extremely complex social moment, Serbia expects from its scientific elite and inventors the right answers,” the minister said, stressing that the SANU had to be one of the cornerstones of Serbia's economic and social development.

According to him, Serbia has one of the most important resources namely human resources - competent scientists, researchers, experts, and therefore it has to earmark much more funds for science and education.

Culture Minister Predrag Marković congratulated the SANU on its anniversary, and said that in future SANU would stay conservative, as it should be, but that it would find a way to connect young people and institutions with regard to projects and businesses which have to be completed.

“Academics are the heart of the Academy, and we must never forget the people who laid the foundations of our state, sciences and arts,” Markovic pointed out, adding that 170 years was such a long tradition that we had to be aware that our responsibility towards the SANU was much bigger than the one it had towards us.

“It is up to us to preserve an institute which such a long tradition since if we fail to do that, we do not deserve anything new,” Marković noted.

The central ceremony marking the Academy's Day was also attended by Serbian Parliament Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, Deputy Prime Ministers Božidar Đelić and Jovan Krkobabić, Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej, as well as representatives of religious communities, cultural and science institutes and the diplomatic corps.