DUSHANBE, September 17, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The government’s decree requiring restructuring of the Academy of Science is timely and for the benefit of Tajik science, academician Mamadsho Ilolov, President of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus, commenting on September 16 decree of the government on structural-administrative reforms in the Academy of Sciences.

According to him, the decree aims to promote strengthening of interface between science and industry and development of science in the country.

“Like the economy, science in Tajikistan is currently experiencing serious problems,” said the academician, “Our economy does not set any serious scientific tasks.  Science must not exist just for science itself; it must serve society, country, people.”

Mr. Ilolov is convinced that mergence of some research institutes is for the benefit of Tajik science.  “With appearance of new advanced technologies it has become necessary to unite the country’s scientific potential and mergence of a number of research institutes will be for benefit of Tajik science,” he stressed.

We will recall that by government’s decree of September 16 a number of research institutes of the Academy of Science of Tajikistan were merged.

Thus, the Institute of Geology and the Institute of Seismology and Antiseismic Construction were merged to form the Institute of Geology ad Seismology.

The Institute of Botany and the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics were merged into the Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics.

The Institute of State and Law and the Institute of Philosophy were merged to form the Institute of Philosophy, Political Sciences and Law.

The Institute of Demography and the Institute of Economy were merged into the Institute of Economy and Demography.

Besides, the Institute of Oriental Studies and Written Heritage and the Institute of Language and Literature are expected to be merged into the Institute of Language and Literature, Oriental Studies and Written heritage.

The decree also provides for establishment of the Center for Innovative Development of Science and Technologies under the Academy of Sciences and the Higher Attestation Commission (agency to oversee awarding of advanced academic degrees).

Besides, the decree requires reduction of the number of members of the Academy of Sciences’ Board from 11 to 9 persons and reduction of the Academy Board’s personnel from 70 to 50.