Experiences on the lack of Finnish-Estonian collaboration

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1 Experiences on the lack of Finnish-Estonian collaboration Kai Kaila Department of Biosciences and Neuroscience Center CoE in Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience University of Helsinki

2 Experiences on (the lack of?) Finnish-Estonian collaboration Kai Kaila Department of Biosciences and Neuroscience Center CoE in Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience University of Helsinki

3 Promoting Finnish-Estonian collaboration

4 R&D investments in Estonia R&D INVESTMENTS investments in IN Estonia ESTONIA Business sector EUR millions Non-profit sector Total, % of GDP % of % GDP of GDP Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

5 Number of Publications by Estonian Scientists Indexed in Thompson Reuters Web of Science NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS Impact factors also up! Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

6 Full-time Scientists and Engineers Working in Estonian Economic Sectors Non-profit private sector National sector Business sector Higher education sector In sum Increase in efficacy!

7 Estonian International Patent Applications EPO applications, Estonia WIPO applications to Estonian Patent Office WIPO applications, Estonia EPO European Patent Office WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

8 Estonian success in EU 7FP (Interim Evaluation of the Seventh Framework Programme) Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

9 Outcome In EU R&D Framework Programme success of Estonian applications exceeds the EU average Estonia is among the top-three successful new member states Estonia is the absolute leader in the EC by the total amount allocated to successful projects in terms of GDP per unit of production 340 Estonian organizations financed by the EC by EUR 54.6 million are involved in Framework Programme projects In 2010 total of foreign R&D investments was EUR 26.6 million, which accounted for 11.5% of total R&D investments in Estonia Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

10 Summary Estonia has a functioning and evolving R&D and innovation system Estonian research is internationally highly competitive Estonian R & D activities are the fastest growing in Europe Growth in the business sector has almost doubled when compared to the growth of public sector indicating that state spending has stimulated structural change in research Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

11 Tartu University (1632) at international top already 150 years ago ( Universität Dorpat ) Some examples: Cell theory (Matthias Schleiden) Embryology, discovery of the egg cell (Karl Ernst von Baer) Chromatography (Mikhail Tsvet) Nobel Laureates working in Tartu: Wilhelm Ostwald in (1909; catalysis), and Ragnar Granit also in Tartu during Tipptegij ate Magistri kursus

12 Finnish-Estonian collaboration Long and successful history of co-operation and collaboration : many prominent Finns were educated in Tartu ( Finnish veterinary medicine doctors were trained in Tartu) : many Estonians received academic education in Helsinki e.g. Gustav Suits (poet and professor in literature), August Tammekann (prof. in geography) and they also got their PhDs here A number of Finnish professors were working in Tartu in the 1920s, educating a new Estionian generation in areas where Estonia did not have sufficient level (Granö, Cederberg, Kuusi etc.) During there was a very silent period, which was followed by enhanced interactions; still much to do! Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

13 Joint statement of Prime Ministers Councils of Science and Innovation The following fields and sectors could be further strengthened by both public and private sector organizations and joint resources: Energy and the environment: the modernisation of power plants in Estonia Life Sciences: improving the quality and efficiency of health care as well as responding to the many challenges posed by the aging of the population requires high-impact research and innovation activities IT, software & digital media: high-level language, design and engineering competences offer a good foundation for deepening and diversifying co-operation Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

14 Science issues In many areas, top Estonian and Finnish scientists do not know each other! There is almost no special funding for Estonian-Finnish collaboration (Viro Säätiö) Very little joint training in master and doctoral level Very modest joint activities in infrastucture issues Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

15 Spotlight on Viikki Campus University of Helsinki 3/300 Principal investigators are Estonian 5/50 PhD students (neuroscience) are Estonian Mart Saarma Academy Professor, Academy of Finland Director, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki ( ) Director, Biocenter Finland ( ) Director, CoE in Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience ( ) Head, Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tallinn ( ) Head, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Physics, Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tartu ( ) Estonian Prime Minister s Council for Science and Technology (2001- ) ERC Scientific Council (2011- ) Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

16 Spotlight on Viikki Campus University of Helsinki 3/300 Principal investigators are Estonian 5/50 PhD students (neuroscience) are Estonian Mart Saarma Academy Professor, Academy of Finland Director, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki ( ) Director, Biocenter Finland ( ) Director, CoE in Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience ( ) Head, Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tallinn ( ) Head, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Physics, Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tartu ( ) Estonian Prime Minister s Council for Science and Technology (2001- ) ERC Scientific Council (2011- ) Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

17 Proposals In order to get a better picture on what we are doing, bilateral meetings would be useful at least in the beginning Joint activities in infrastructure: Monitoring the Baltic Sea, climate monitoring from the Finnish North to the Estonian South Joint local infrastructures in e.g. physics and biosciences for example 1000 MHz NMR, advanced microscopy, MRI, chemical biology (HT screening) etc. and other very expensive equipment Building joint infra for regional services (including Nordic, Baltic, and Russian dimensions) Joint master and doctoral program can be started with joint courses Joint winter and summer schools (some jointly with Nordic countries ad some together with Russia). CIMO school to be opened for Estonians? A private Foundation to support Finnish-Estonian collaborations Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration

18 Thank you! Tänan! Kiitos! Kai Kaila / Finnish-Estonian collaboration