University of ZagrebFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture

Mobility of researchers in Croatia

WEB-MOB

Zagreb, 25/10/2007

Neven Duić

• Typical path of researcher before 1990– studying 4-5 years undergraduate programme

in 6-8 years– military service– two years in industry for technical sciences– assistant at the institution of graduation– studying 1-2 years Master programme plus

MSc thesis in 6-8 years while doing teaching, research and projects

– further 6-8 years of teaching, research and projects in order to obtain PhD

– researcher becomes independent researcher

1919

2626

2727

2929

3737

4545

• Were we want to go 2007– studying 3 years BSc programme in 3-4 years– studying 2 years MSc programme in 2-3 years

(at different institution)– further 3-5 years of studying, teaching,

research and projects in order to obtain PhD (again at different institution)

– Postdoc 2-6 years (again at different institution)– researcher becomes independent researcher

1818

2222

2525

3030

3535

• Research before 1990– inbreeding – from cradle to grave– only short term mobility allowed – once out

forever out– very slow change– after cut-off age of 30 – generally unemployable– research was more necessary nuisance than

necessity – the only way to open new areas was to

increase number – increasing the curricula – further slowing down the system

• Increased mobility should try to avoid draining future members of their talents completely– reintegration – mobility as part of international cooperation– increasing research opportunities in Western

Balkans– reintegration plus – returning researcher brings

funds to his institution (outsourcing parts of research)

– avoiding making one off choices

Barriers to incoming mobility

• Visas, temporary stay, permanent residence and work permits

• Academic barriers• Financial barriers• Social and health security barriers• Additional : language barriers,

accommodation and housing

Visas (up to 90 days)

Visa policy – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs

• precedence to security matters• no distinction among researchers

and economic migrants• Visa waiver to EU + EFTA + WB (-AL)

+ OECD + most of Latin America

Visas (up to 90 days)

Temporary stay (above 90 days)

Permit policy – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs

• Only way to stay longer than 90 days (Art. 37)

• Any paid research work related activity longer than 30 days (Art. 95)

• Most paid work related activity• Should be applied for the first time

before coming• Extension possible in Croatia

Work permits

Permits policy – the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Internal Affairs

• Quota system – around 1000 new work permits per year– Science and education – 10

• Research and tertiary teaching without work permits– professors invited as lecturers by Croatian universities, scientists

doing scientific and professional further studies, scientific representatives of international organisations and scientists taking part in the execution of scientific research projects important for the Republic of Croatia;

– aliens who in the Republic of Croatia have the status of fulltime school or university student, when engaged in activities of a temporary nature, through authorised agents, and in line with the regulations governing engagement in such activities.

Institutions in charge of incoming mobility

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration

• Ministry of Internal Affairs• Ministry of Science, Education and Sports• Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship • Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (new)• Agency for Research and Higher Education

(ENIC/NARIC)

Capacity significantly increased with negotiation process.

Still missing lower down …

Academic barriers

• Academic qualification recognition function well since ENIC/NARIC office established

• ECTS implemented but does not function in intended way – no student mobility

• Bologna process– open acceptance but hidden resistance to

change– ratified Lisbon convention and entered

Bologna process– two-cycle degree system– University integration stalled– ECTS implemented de iure

Academic barriers

• Bologna process– ECTS and student mobility

• intra-University curricular mobility difficult due to rigid programs – possible but discouraged due to wide in house curricular offer – also financial barriers

• inter-University (national, regional and international) mobility practically impossible due rigid programs but also due to lack of finance vehicles (Erasmus, etc.)

Academic barriers

Financial barriers

• Low remuneration – research investment has to raise

• Very limited number of fellowships rarely open to foreigners

• Very low limit to untaxed student fellowships – 1000 HRK per month (150 EUR)

• High taxation of student fellowships– the total cost is approximately double than the fellowship

• High overheads institution take also on funds for fellowships

Social and health security problems

• Undeveloped social and health security system for foreign researchers– undergraduate students may use health

security system dedicated to students• Dispersed and uncertain information

Additional barriers

• General attitude that foreigners take jobs from locals (and research is considered employment, not studying, and is taxed as such)

• Lack of courses in English language

Language barriers • obligatory usage of local languages, especially for thesis, all

the documents, diplomas, etc. – even when lectures are in foreign language

Accommodation and housing• weak formal rental market, no appropriate accommodation

(apartments, etc.) for visiting researchers • language barriers• price barriers

Interregional mobility

• Need of reform in the WB research – similar problems due to similar context

• WB research has to integrate into ERA• Increase of regional mobility as a consequence of

regional cooperation

Intersectorial mobility – academia and industry

• Low level knowledge transfer between academia and industry

• Economy is low added value

• FDI has the crucial contribution• FDI into R&D – outsourcing R&D• general FDI with R&D component

• Local companies – not investing into R&D• negative attitude towards “science”

• Large potential– Well educated workforce– Reasonably priced graduates

Survey results of Incoming mobility questionnaire (1)

Mobility in Croatia Yes [%] No [%]

Is there incoming mobility of scientists in Croatia?

67% 33%

Do you consider foreign scientists important for the development of

Croatian scientific work? 100% 0%

Is the mobility of scientists an important factor in the EU convergence process? 100% 0%

Institutional mobility    

Is there an offer to foreign researchers in your institution? 33% 67%

Would you like to increase the amount of foreign researchers in your institution? 100% 0%

Survey results of Incoming mobility questionnaire (2)

Barriers to incoming mobility [%]

Visa 0%

Work permit 24%

Recognition of foreign diplomas 24%

Wages 52%

Rents 10%

Health security 10%

Social security 0%

Accommodation 33%

Schooling system 5%

Rest 33%

Croatia towards EU

• Extensive portfolio of policy measures necessary

• Learning form best practises• ERA integration• Flexibility & coordination & simplicity in

the governmental organisations

Thank you for your attention!