Thoughts caused by the actual crisis in the scientific and technical sphere of Ukraine.
Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Yaroslav Yatskiv, one of the most famous and respected Ukrainian scientists, astronomer and physicist, Director of the Main Astronomical Observatory of Ukraine (whose scientific achievements and discoveries are well known in the world), Chairman of the Scientific Publishing Council of the NAS of Ukraine and editor-in-chief of scientific journals and popular science journal ‘Svitoglyad’.
He concludes his “thoughts on paper” with an affirmative statement quoted in the title. But for this statement to become a reality, it is needed to find answers to the questions: “Who and how should help those who move forward?”, “When will the authorities understand the importance of science for future development of Ukraine and when will this understanding be in the minds of citizens?”, “When will the challenging conditions for world-class results be replaced by favorable conditions?” One would like to hear the opinions of scientists on these issues.
Much has been said and written about the crisis in the Ukrainian scientific and technical sphere at various levels: both in government and in the scientific community and media. Undoubtedly, the crisis is gaining momentum, as evidenced by the “leapfrog” in the ministerial changes, the state budget indicators for 2022, the lack of special scientific government programs and development of key laboratories, etc.
This crisis began long ago, in Soviet times, when the then scientific and technical sphere of the USSR was part of a powerful scientific and technical complex of the former Soviet Union (here we do not analyze the effectiveness of this complex), which was inherited by independent Ukraine and now survives the last days or years. Why did this happen?
On the one hand, the State does not have the financial resources to properly support this large-scale scientific and technological potential of the country.
On the other hand, we observe that in the public consciousness there is a lack of understanding of the importance of science for the future development of Ukraine.
That is, we do not see due respect for the work of researchers and engineers. The conclusion is that no one in the world will respect the science of a country that does not respect it itself.
Why does the search for pragmatism on the part of the economy or the scientific community not work to overcome the situation? The answer to this question worries a great many of people. Probably, we are too young to know to monetize the intellectual product (which we really have) as the basis for successful economy and the further development of our science and technology.
And another difficult issue that is so often discussed and debated by politicians, scientists and common citizens: why do reforms in the science and technology sector, which are regularly implemented by legislative acts and directives, not work? In my opinion, the answer is obvious. These documents do not fall on the prepared ground, and we all need to regularly enrich it day after day until something sprouts up.
So, it is the eternal question: “What to do?”
I see only one answer: we, scientists, must continue to work in these difficult conditions and achieve, albeit at a high price, world-class results and demand their proper evaluation. At the same time, we must try to establish an effective dialogue with authorities and business structures for the successful implementation of existing scientific and technical developments and pay more attention to the promotion of science, in particular, fundamental scientific and practical results obtained by Ukrainian scientists.
The one who walks will pass the road.
Yaroslav YATSKIV,
Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine