Romanian Science In Freefall

ananyo writes "In 2011, Romania took a step towards changing its cronyism-ridden research landscape by allocating government grants for science solely on the basis of performance. In 2012, a new government eliminated those rules, then slashed science funding — and since then things have gotten a whole lot worse. The entire National Research Council, Romania's main research-funding agency, has resigned in protest and 900 scientists signed a petition addressed to Prime Minister Victor Ponta, demanding that the research budget and quality control be restored. Ponta himself unfortunately has been accused of academic plagiarism so seems an unlikely figure to address corruption in the scientific establishment. The new science minister, Ecaterina Andronescu, is experienced — she's held the post twice before and is a rector at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest. But she's already reversed conflict of interest rules brought in by the previous government that were designed to end cronyism. And no wonder — they would have meant that she couldn't be science minister and run a university at the same time. Oh, she has also been accused of plagiarism."

Comments

What's the worst that could happen?

[hawkinspeter]

So, it has come to this.

They make up for it in other areas

[GodfatherofSoul]

They're still the world champion producer of hottest pornstars. Who the hell needs more pasty-faced geeks?

Re:They make up for it in other areas

[h4rr4r]

Also horse meat labeled as beef.

Deteapt-te, române!

[Anonymous Coward]

What they need is a national anthem that would inspire their people!

Goverment

[Anonymous Coward]

If romania elected libertarians, this would not have happened. Garanteed.

Re:Well, here

[noh8rz10]

in romania, science plagarizes you!

Re:Well, here

[h4rr4r]

Damn, I think you might be right.

The question is can a sentient machine made in America be elected president?