'It's Just Circus'

• 4.12.2024, 23:14

The teacher commented on Lukashenka's claims to scientists.

Lukashenka refused to give scientists "mining salaries" and demanded to present him with new discoveries.

Are his claims fair?

The Charter97.org website spoke on condition of anonymity with a professor of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy — Lukashenka graduated this university:

— Absolutely empty meeting. The entire system is initially designed to discourage scientists from developing something worthwhile, and enterprises from implementing these developments.

Everyone has heard of these "Belarusian" laptops, motorcycles, electric cars and so on on the list. At best, Belarusian developments are the tenth modernization of some projects ten years ago, at worst — the production of Belarusian stickers for goods from Aliexpress.

Why does it happen? State-owned enterprises have no desire to introduce real innovations and take risks. There is a desire to fulfill the plan. Accordingly, there is no demand — there is no supply, but only its imitation.

And it's a vicious circle.

As for the "miners' salaries" and the requirement to "earn money", these are empty conversations. Science and education are investments in the future. If these areas have been on the periphery of the budget for a long time, what can they earn? Twenty years you need to "water" scientists with money, do not touch anyone, do not dismiss, groom and cherish, and only then the result will come.

To give a simple example, Mercedes spends 10 billion euros a year on research. Can we as a state spend so much? [In 2024, 174 million euros were planned to be spent on Belarusian science — Ed.].

As long as we fund science on a residual basis, such a circus will continue.