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What kind of future do we want for our system of high education and science?

As a part of ESF project „Strengthening social dialog in high education and science sector“ carried by Syndicate of Science, there was a round table on subject „Managing culture in system of high education and science“.

Part of the round table was presentation of publication called „What kind of future do we want for our system of high education and science? “ 
 
Publication brings results of research about quality of work relations in system of high education and science in which participated 2500 people.
 
Round table was opened by president of Syndicate of Science , prof. Ph. D. Igor Radeka, by saying how this is also the end of a very successful ESF project, emphasizing contribution of project leader Lucije Barjašić Špiler, mag. phil. . „Publication shows systematic and representative research with relevant information which shows the true state of the matter. “ said Ph. D. Radek.
 
Doc. Ph. D. Dragan Bagić, co-author of publication, presented five key problems, which he presented in his chapter about managing and management culture in scientific and high educational institutions. In the first part he emphasizes the problem of lack of expert personnel i.e. amateurism in institutions, by showing the information which shows that only 20% of employees think that competent people are in managing positions. Another big problem is lack of strategical thinking which would enable systematic development of scientific institution. Another interesting fact is that only 20% of employees feel free to criticize management decisions without fear of retribution, and the research showed that the freedom of speech is connected to the social standing and that people at the top of the hierarchy feel most free. Doc. Ph. D.  Bagić then warned on big inequality between staff of scientific institution, but also on vary divides academic society. One of the solutions which he sees is the idea of encouraging system of education for those which are motivated to work in managing positions and more need for field work.
 
Second part of publication was presented by prof. Ph. D. Krunoslav Pisk, who concentrated on financing of science in Republic of Croatia. He emphasized that in period since 2004 till 2014 all country members of EU increased their contributions to science, while only in Croatia contributions to science are dropping. Prof. Ph. D. Pisk warned that Croatia's contributions to science are to small and that there has to be structural financing which will not favor only influencers. He also thinks that financing from EU funds is excellent supplement but it can't become replacement for investing in science.