Skopje, 10 October 2025 (MIA) - Thorough reforms are needed in scientific research and higher education, with the improvement of their quality being seen as a prerequisite for the humane and sustainable development of Macedonian society. In this regard, the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU) must take the lead in these fundamentally important societal changes, said the President of MANU, academician Zhivko Popov, in his address Friday marking the 58th anniversary of the founding of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

According to Popov, these changes “must be systemic and be treated as strategic priorities for the country.”

The President of MANU also highlighted the need for guaranteed funding of the basic functions of state academic institutions (education, science, innovation development, and applied activities), “significant debureaucratization and greater flexibility of the Treasury system, legal definition of minimum criteria for academic recruitment, advancement and selection of leadership personnel, introduction of measures that stimulate academic excellence, establishment of a dedicated fund to support scientific work, a comprehensive program for social care of students and academic youth, combating the outflow of academic staff, etc.”

“It is commendable that today, through the activities of the Ministry of Education and Science, we are witnessing the creation of a climate for realizing part of these essential aspirations,” Popov said.

In his address, the head of MANU said the Academy's scientific program for 2025 includes a total of 75 research projects across various fields.

Photo: MIA