The experts’ committee integrating the Interdisciplinary Center of Studies on Science, Technology and Innovation (CIECTI, in Spanish) was welcomed this afternoon by the Minister of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Dr. Lino Barañao, and the Secretary of Planning and Policies, Dr. Ruth Ladenheim, to officially introduce the CIECTI and deal with the main objectives and guidelines of the project.
The aim of this Center is to reinforce the process of planning, designing and policy-making as regards science, technology and innovation. In this respect, it is intended to contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of science, technology and innovation policies and organizations through interdisciplinary research and the development of institutional ways and professional skills, within a context of dialog and public-private agreements.
During the meeting, Dr. Barañao stated: “We want to think on the long term. I believe that the aims of this Center have to be set with a national viewpoint and a local perspective in mind.” In line with this, he remarked that “abstract methods are not useful if the territory is not taken into account; that is the reason why social sciences are so important.”
On her part, the Secretary of Planning maintained: “The idea regarding the Interdisciplinary Center of Studies on Science, Technology and Innovation now being created within the Ministry is that it should meet the demands of the productive sector. Besides, it is expected to foster the level of inclusive innovation in our country.”
The role of the experts’ committee is to constantly advise the CIECTI during its transition period until it is definitively established, validate proper procedures for working and researching, participate in the selection and/or evaluation of research projects promoted through its intervention, and help to integrate and legitimize the Center within the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Members of the committee are Eduardo Charreau, Senior Researcher of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET, in Spanish); Dora Barrancos, Chief Researcher of the CONICET; Héctor Otheguy, General Manager of INVAP S.E. (Argentine state-owned applied research company); Rosalía Cortés, academic member of the Latin American School of Social Sciences (FLACSO, in Spanish); Alejandro Grimson, academic member of the National University of San Martín (UNSAM, in Spanish), and the well-known economist Aldo Ferrer.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the organizations that formed the founding consortium of CIECTI: Miguel Lengyel, from FLACSO; Fernando Porta, from the National University of Quilmes (UNQUI, in Spanish); Gabriel Yoguel, from the National University of General Sarmiento (UNGS, in Spanish), and Lic. Jorge Robbio, Under Secretary of Studies and Prospective Technology depending on the Ministry of Science.
