Russia's government wants control of the Russian Academy of Sciences, something it hasn't had for more than 300 years, going back to Peter the Great.
"The academy's senior members oversee a $1.2 billion budget, 400 research institutes and 200,000 researchers and staff members across Russia. The institution is self-governing. The funding of research, as well as personnel matters -- from who becomes a researcher to who enjoys the prestigious title of full membership, "academician" -- is determined by secret ballot."
The government apparently wants its hands on that budget and things done more out in the open.
"Government officials describe their efforts to give the academy a new basic charter as necessary to inject some efficiency into an academic cocoon run by an aging club of researchers too removed from the modern economy."
Does that sound familiar? Or am I just imagining things?
Faculty worry about losing control of their research, becoming subservient to government and such.
Same battle...different country.
If an institute is meeting its budget, turning out quality students and research, chances are they'd be left alone.
But, I am not sure a government, any government is a better choice for running a school...especially Russia's government.
Do you think a school should be able to maintain autonomy if it is meeting its budget independent of federal grants?
.jpg)
Comment Preview