site.btaInnovation Minister, BAS President Discuss Need for Closer Cooperation Between Science and Business

Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vasilev and Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) President Evelina Slavcheva discussed the need for closer cooperation between science and business, as well as the development of technology transfer, the ministry said.

According to Vasilev, scientific research should find practical application more quickly and generate market value. Among the options discussed was encouraging the creation of spin-off companies—new independent businesses established by separating from a larger organization or institution, such as a university, research institute (including the BAS), or corporation, based on research developed by scientific organizations.

Another topic of the meeting was the Hemus supercomputer operated by BAS and ways to promote it more widely so that businesses and other interested users can take advantage of it for research. The participants also discussed increasing awareness of the country’s competence centres and centres of excellence. “We have the infrastructure. Our task is to inform the public how to make the most of its full potential,” Minister Vasilev said.

The minister noted that one of the priorities of both the ministry and the government is transforming the Bulgarian economy toward higher value-added manufacturing and services.

Deputy Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Mira Yosifova also took part in the meeting.