From "commitment" to "implementation" - the prime minister will allow researchers to share policy dividends in the shortest possible time.

Two days ago, the speech made by General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the National Science and Technology Innovation Conference triggered a long period of enthusiastic applause from the audience. Two days later, on June 1st, the relevant measures to improve the management of funds for scientific research projects in the central government were put on the discussion table of the State Council's executive meeting.

(profile) On May 7, 2015, Li Keqiang spoke to representatives of academicians and young scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“I noticed that the applause at the National Conference on Science and Technology Innovation was first heard from the back row and passed to the front row. Because the researchers are all sitting in the back row!” Premier Li Keqiang said at the executive meeting. “Scientific research "Applause for us to applaud us on the one hand, but on the other hand, we place even greater expectations on us. We expect that we will 'speak' and 'get it done' and truly implement good policy measures."

First-class scientific research institutions, first-class universities, and first-class scientific and technological achievements have never been achieved by government departments.

In the speech of the National Science and Technology Innovation Conference, Premier Li Keqiang cited an example of “worry and laughter”: a college wants to build a laboratory. After the application is submitted, the department says that it will cover two floors. The department said that only Cover a floor, so that this college is at a loss.

At the executive meeting on June 1st, officials from different scientific institutions also described the policy constraints they encountered: Inviting academicians to review daily travel expenses is not enough for a single standard room, only two academicians can Live; invited Nobel Prize winners to come to China to attend the meeting, the daily travel expenses can not exceed 800 yuan.

“The management of scientific research by the government departments is also very detailed. It is simply 'Skynet is full and there is no omission'!” said Li Keqiang. “So, we must give colleges and scientific research institutes the necessary autonomy and vigorously lift the innovation and creation of researchers. The bondage."

The meeting decided on the same day to simplify the procurement of scientific research equipment and equipment; to rationally expand the autonomy of infrastructure projects in central universities and scientific research institutes; the management of travel meetings for scientific research personnel is not simply based on the authorities and civil servants. Central universities and research institutes can rationally study according to work needs. Formulate management methods for travel expenses, determine the scale of business meetings and expenditure standards, etc.

“I said at the Conference on Science and Technology Innovation that first-class scientific research institutions, first-class universities, and first-class scientific and technological achievements have never come from the 'management' of government departments! We must further promote the reform of 'distribution services' in the scientific research field and mobilize the enthusiasm of scientific researchers. And creativity." Li Keqiang said.

To increase the proportion of personnel costs is to recognize the value of talent and intellectual labor

The deployment of Prime Minister Li Keqiang's policy on improving the management of scientific research funds can be traced back to the investigation of Tsinghua University and Peking University more than a month ago. At that time, the Prime Minister examined the policies for the use of scientific research funds in different colleges and universities in two universities, especially the proportion of “personnel fees”. The person in charge of the School of Mathematical Science at Peking University said that the basic mathematics research funding only accounts for 30% of the "personnel fee."

"What does this management use? Pure mathematics does not use much equipment. It mainly depends on the brain. Isn't it forcing them not to pursue pure mathematics and not to sit on the bench?" Li Keqiang discussed reforms and innovations in higher education later in the day. Said at the meeting.

It is also at this forum that the Prime Minister promised to the heads of dozens of colleges and universities who participated in the meeting: It is necessary to adjust the policies for the use of scientific research funds and better mobilize the enthusiasm of researchers.

The State Council executive meeting on June 1st decided to substantially increase the proportion of personnel fees and increase the proportion of indirect expenses. The performance expenditures for personnel incentives accounted for the proportion of direct expenses deducted from equipment purchase fees, which could be increased from the original 5% to 20%. There is no proportional limit on the service charges. Graduate students, post-doctors, employed researchers, and research assistants who participate in the project may all spend on labor costs according to prescribed standards.

“To increase the proportion of personnel costs is to recognize the value of talented people and intellectual labor.” Li Keqiang said, “The 'human' is the greatest potential for China's development. To mobilize the 'human' power to promote innovation, it will play a 'delicious effort' The role."

Really make contributions to scientific and technological personnel fame and fortune

Leaders of Peking University and Tsinghua University also attended the State Council Executive Meeting on that day. “The two academicians are saying that they are very satisfied with the speech made by the General Secretary and the Prime Minister at the National Conference on Science and Technology Innovation. The only concern is that there are difficulties in implementation. As a result, the policy will come out today!” said a person in charge of a university.

"Your speech is very polite, but I also understand the meaning of the inside, that is, there is a higher expectation for the implementation of the policy and the next reform. This is a big truth!" The Prime Minister's speech caused a laugh at the venue.

Li Keqiang said that perfecting the central government’s financial management measures for scientific research projects and forming a dynamic technology management and operation mechanism should not just make a document “tap appetite” or “just smell the stairs, but not see people down,” and must effectively solve it. The "last mile" of the policy.

“All departments must reform themselves and directly revise and improve the specific documentary details so that scientists and technicians truly feel that they have a good reputation. They have both 'face' and 'little', and truly allow the contributing scientific and technological personnel to gain fame and fortune!”

Source: China Government Network