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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Ministry of Science continues to support development of astronomy

Belgrade, 27 January 2010

Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic today said at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy that his Ministry will continue to support research and development in astronomy during this year.

Bozidar Djelic

Author: Fonet

Djelic said that one of the important issues concerning Serbian astronomers is the acquisition of membership of the European association for astronomy, adding that the Serbian government will soon adopt a strategy for the development of science to define priorities and that a new cycle of financing research projects in 2010 will start soon.

He said that 2010 will be a year of major investments in science and technology infrastructure for which €200 million will be allocated and €6 million of this sum will be provided to Petnica Research Centre.

Djelic said that the Ministry of Science has set aside RSD 2.9 million to finance projects for the promotion and popularization of astronomy, adding that the Ministry has also secured a donation of 100 telescopes.

We made efforts to ensure that Serbia receives a donation of 100 telescopes which will soon become available for distribution. The telescopes will be provided mainly to smaller schools and institutions in Serbia which don’t have them, said the Minister.

At the ceremony the Deputy Prime Minister presented telescopes to Zrenjanin primary school Jovan Cvijic and Priboj Grammar school, while grammar schools in Paracin, Krusevac and the First Belgrade Grammar School also received awards.

At the closing ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 it was noted that since February 9, 2009, when the celebration began, a total of 11 projects were realised, including lectures, astronomy camps and courses through which children and the young were familiarised with astronomy.

These projects include the 100 Hours of Astronomy, Galileoscope, the Cosmic Diary, the Gates to the Universe, the Awareness of the Dark Skies and others.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 was declared to mark the 400th anniversary from Galileo Galilei’s first observation of space through telescope.

This is an international celebration of astronomy and its contributions to the society and culture, with an emphasis on education, public engagement and the engagement of young people in national, regional and international events during 2009.