Science Academy staff protest for autonomy

More than 100 people gathered at a protest rally organised by the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) at its premises in Patronka [Bratislava] on Tuesday, calling for the institution to be allowed to continue to run itself and for its possible liquidation to be prevented. "SAV has found itself in a situation that could endanger its further activities. This has been caused by an infringement on the part of the Board of Advisors to the Prime Minister concerning a legislative proposal on public research institutions that includes an amendment to the law on SAV", reads a joint statement of SAV representatives. SAV fears that according to the aforementioned proposal, the education minister would be able to decide on the future existence of the academy's institutes without publishing criteria or providing any opportunity to appeal against such a decision. "An institution whose transformation project would be unacceptable for the minister would cease to exist. We consider this to be a loss of autonomy for SAV", said the institution's chairman Pavol Šajgalík. SAV representatives stated that they clearly support the initial proposal for the legislation tabled by the Education, Science, Research and Sport Ministry approved by the Legislative Council of the Government. SAV at the same time urged Cabinet members to okay the original proposal and to reject the amending proposals submitted by the premier's advisors.