Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University ICT RTDI Strategy for the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of Sofia University Maria Nisheva, Petko Rouskov, Elissaveta Gourova, Yanka Todorova October 30, 2008

Introduction Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • The main goal of SISTER project is to develop FMI as a Leading Centre in South -East Europe (SEE) in research, innovation and training in the area of ICT. October 30, 2008 2

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • Definition of an ICT Research, Technology, Development and Innovation (RTDI) strategy of FMI: one of the main goals within the project SISTER October 30, 2008 3

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • The most considerable feature of this strategy is its scope – there exist a lot of successful ICT RTDI strategies for whole universities but the FMI team did not find any RTDI strategy for a particular faculty. October 30, 2008 4

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Three phases of the work: • identification of research competencies of FMI, technology trends and ICT research needs; • preparation and validation of ICT RTDI strategy for FMI; • development of scenarios and elaboration of a detailed action plan for ICT research and training within SISTER. October 30, 2008 5

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • First phase: analysis of the state-of-the-art in ICT, the needs and available resources. Methodology: üEnvironmental scanning: Analysis of European and national reports, web sites, scientific literature, media publications, etc. October 30, 2008 6

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üSWOT analysis: Special attention to the research competences of FMI, the FMI positioning in the area of ICT in Bulgaria and the region, and the opportunities and threats for its further development and integration into ERA and European Higher education area. October 30, 2008 7

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üIssue survey: A web-based survey in a significant number of enterprises, policy makers and local authorities in Bulgaria, among FMI researchers and ICT end-users in order to determine the large societal and economic needs for research and training in ICT. October 30, 2008 8

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • Second phase: preparation of ICT RTDI strategy for FMI. ØThe first Expert panel meeting: helped to identify the strategic priorities and the related actions for RTDI in ICT at FMI ØThe current second Expert panel meeting: will help to validate the RTDI Strategy and will support the definition of an Action plan for ICT development at FMI within SISTER project October 30, 2008 9

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • Third phase: will ensure a framework for implementation of SISTER activities and networking. The strategy and the action plan will provide guidelines for capacity strengthening in research and innovation. They will also streamline the education activities of FMI team in ICT in accordance with the industry, economic and societal needs and the best practices. October 30, 2008 10

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Formal strategic planning is a relatively new phenomenon at Sofia University. At present, no approved University and Faculty strategic plans exist. Therefore, the FMI team follows the best practice and benchmarking of the university leaders. In particular, the strategy plan is defined following the Kaplan and Norton Strategy Maps methodology. October 30, 2008 11

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University FMI Objectives and Priorities in the Area of ICT q. FMI Vision: Create a Faculty community that becomes locally and internationally recognized in research, teaching and service, and recognized nationally for student excellence. This will establish a reputation of being more valuable to all stakeholders. October 30, 2008 12

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University q. FMI Mission: To provide a flexible, multidisciplinary environment for high quality informatics research and education using the innovation, latest technologies and world expertise. To achieve excellence in research and teaching within the university, country and international IT communities. October 30, 2008 13

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University q. FMI Strategic Objectives: The Faculty mission and vision reflect on taking more stakeholders oriented decisions. October 30, 2008 14

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University The strategy suggests to adopt the following goals: ü Undertake continuous efforts to progress the quality of Faculty’s education, training, research and information services to gain program competitiveness, high levels of achievement and a knowledgeable community. October 30, 2008 15

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University ü Ensure that education and research services are relevant to the needs of Bulgarian people, industry and local and state government. ü Release individuals of all ages and abilities with access to education, training and information services. October 30, 2008 16

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University ü Ensure greatest benefit from education and research resources through efficient operation and management of the education and research system. October 30, 2008 17

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University q. Key Priorities for FMI Ø Financial priorities: üEnsure revenue growth for all activities üImprove the cost structure at the Faculty üIncrease the foreign financing (EU / non EU) üEnhance the industry support October 30, 2008 18

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Internal processes priorities: üFacilitate the administrative operations üEnsure support for collaborative activities in the Faculty üImprove the collaboration with other SU structures and external organizations October 30, 2008 19

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Learning and growth priorities: üDevelopment of the competences of Faculty members üDevelopment of LLL culture üEnsure equal access to technology and innovation October 30, 2008 20

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Priority Areas for ICT Research in FMI Having in mind the results of the analysis of EU policy in ICT, the SWOT analysis of FMI and the survey of Bulgarian stakeholders, the FMI team identifies the following areas of priority for ICT research at FMI: • Fundamentals of Computer Science • Intelligent systems (incl. Intelligent Content and Semantics) October 30, 2008 21

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • • Information systems Information security IT services Software intensive systems Bioinformatics Computer graphics e-Learning October 30, 2008 22

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Focuses of ICT Education and Training in FMI: üCurriculum improvement üOptimization of existing education processes October 30, 2008 23

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Definition of Metrics and Indicators of Success • In the FMI draft strategy are defined some practical, meaningful measures which will assess the effectiveness of Faculty management and its support of mission accomplishment. These measures are focused on financial issues, stakeholders, internal processes and learning and growth of FMI. October 30, 2008 24

Tools Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Organizational Framework üFMI should initiate a debate aimed at overcoming the lack of flexibility caused by the governmental regulations and procedures. üSimilar initiatives should be taken up in order to improve considerably the existing heavy administrative procedures and financial rules at Sofia University in order to increase the motivation of FMI staff for research and project activities. October 30, 2008 25

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üBetter internal cooperation with other faculties of SU and within FMI departments must be established. üFMI has to establish a project engineering unit which should support the activity of the corresponding vice-dean by looking for project opportunities. üA clear procedure for building flexible research units (project groups, program teams, etc. ) has to be defined within SU with the leading role of FMI. October 30, 2008 26

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üSome supporting units (knowledge transfer centers, business support centers, patent offices, project management offices, science parks with support services, etc. ) have to be foreseen. üThe organization of the educational process at FMI should be rearranged and optimized in order to ensure more time for research and innovations in the ICT area for the teaching staff of the Faculty. October 30, 2008 27

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üThe scope of the activities of the Laboratory for Computing Services has to be significantly extended. The Laboratory should be restructured in accordance with its new functions and its staff should be strengthened. October 30, 2008 28

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Technological Environment and Infrastructure üThe technology environment of FMI must be considerably improved by increasing the speed of the cable Internet and stabilizing the wireless Internet access as well as providing some additional services, e. g. institutional Vo. IP. October 30, 2008 29

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üBetter access to world-wide publications and scientific databases (e. g. the databases of Springer, Scopus, Math. Sci. Net etc. ) should be provided. üSignificant efforts should be exerted in order to build several first class labs with potentiality for services to companies and public organizations. October 30, 2008 30

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Human Resources Capacity Building üThe overall FMI capacity building must be supported by renewal of technology and research environment, obtaining software and books, access to scientific on-line libraries and information resources. Building Research, Innovation and Ph. D databases of the Faculty should be related to greater transparency of FMI research and innovation for industry and future partners. October 30, 2008 31

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üThe human resources capacity building should be achieved through schemes of learning-bydoing for a longer period in leading EU research organisations, as well as through targeted training seminars and short-term visits abroad. üSignificant efforts should be exerted in order to identify “star” scientists and create clusters around them. October 30, 2008 32

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üPost Docs and more experienced FMI researchers should also benefit from mobility schemes in order to strengthen their research and innovation skills, and focus their future research on European strategic areas. The usage of available funds and grants, e. g. Marie Curie schemes, will help in this direction. October 30, 2008 33

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üThe activities of the governing body should be focused on career development and increase of young researchers. üA strategic program oriented to the development of “star” students and their sustained training to publish in recognized journals has to be elaborated. üJoint supervision of Ph. D students has to be one of the action lines for developing new research capacity and integrating into EU research streams. October 30, 2008 34

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üA great amount of work should be done in order to satisfy the main needs for further training identified by FMI researchers in the areas of project management, technology transfer and strategic management. October 30, 2008 35

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Ø Collaboration and Networking üThe Faculty should look at the Bulgarian labour market needs and should strengthen its national linkages with industry, other universities, research institutions and public authorities. üIt is essential to enlarge its networking with other EU universities for exchange of students, teaching staff and researchers. October 30, 2008 36

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üFMI needs to strengthen its research collaboration and build upon the existing results for raising its excellence, ensuring sustainable development and deeper integration into ICT ERA. October 30, 2008 37

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üIn order to strengthen its networking, FMI needs to increase its visibility and the transparency of its research, education and innovation achievements. October 30, 2008 38

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University Funding Opportunities for ICT Activities at FMI For its successful development FMI should explore the opportunities of a diversified funding: üProject financing üProvision of training courses and certification üIndustrial research and development funded by companies provides a third channel of funding October 30, 2008 39

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University üA fourth channel of funding, still not explored sufficiently, could come from patents and intellectual property rights üThe fifth channel of funding is venture capital. Unfortunately this channel is still underdeveloped at Sofia University üSponsorship is the sixth channel of funding October 30, 2008 40

Conclusions Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • Despite that FMI has strong linkages with the IT cluster and several IT companies in Bulgaria, e. g. IBM, Microsoft, CISCO, etc. the links with industry need a lot of changes in order to meet the needs of the knowledge economy. October 30, 2008 41

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • There should be established more structured contacts for joint projects, exchange of staff, internships and joint supervision of Ph. D students, knowledge brokerage events, etc. • Higher transparency of FMI education and research results might be a first step towards better collaboration with industry. October 30, 2008 42

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • What skills are needed for FMI researchers in order to enhance the dialogue and collaboration with industry and to turn their ideas into innovative products and processes should be also considered. October 30, 2008 43

Strengthening the IST Research Capacity of Sofia University • Finally, FMI should widely explore the opportunities for integration into the European Higher education area and the European Research Area and undertake actions for strengthening research collaboration, building attractive universities, and creating a favourable environment for study, work and life. October 30, 2008 44