Mauritania urges scientific research development

A workshop organized by the department of scientific research at the Ministry of State for National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research came to an end today. The two-day workshop focused on the state of scientific research in the country and to suggest a strategic plan for its development from now to 2015. It also gave attention to the revision of the laws governing the domain and on the adequate means necessary for its propulsion in academic institutions. Ways to bring in Mauritanian researchers living abroad to participate in national researches were also looked into. At the end of the workshop on Monday, participants agree on drafted a resolution for the promotion of scientific research in Mauritania. Among the principal points are the necessity for the government to allocate at least 1% of the Gross domestic product to research and interdisciplinary research, an agency dedicated to the financing of research to be established and a national research fund to be created. The resolution was welcomed by the Special Adviser to the Ministry, Dr. Abdallahi Ould Mahboubi. He highly praised the conclusions and resolutions brought forward by the participants and assured them that the department of scientific research at the Ministry of State for National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research will give it the utmost importance needed. He added that the discussions held during the workshop will stimulate scientific research in Mauritania which was also graced by researchers and experts from Morocco and France. During the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of the Ministry of State for National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Ahmed said “scientific research is of considerable importance to the State, since it is the basis of economic and social progress.”