Education program launched

[NewsWhore]

President Leonel Fernandez launched the Strategic Science and Technology Innovation Plan 2008-2018 (PECyT+I) during a special panel discussion held at the Global Democracy and Development Foundation (FunGlode)yesterday. The RD$50 billion program will be managed by the Higher Education Ministry (SEECYT). Fernandez said that the initiative represents true innovation for the country and that development cannot be possible without paying attention to education, science and technology. Fernandez assured that universities could improve training for students through the program, therefore increasing their productivity. The 10-year program, which begins in 2009, will represent 0.25% of the GDP, or US$1.450 billion. Higher Education Minister Ligia Amada Melo said that the Plan's goals were to: strengthen the nation's science, technology and innovation funding and institutional framework, develop research, development of innovative initiatives that can improve quality of life, products and the Dominican economy and train better students. National Business Council (CONEP) president Lisandro Macarulla said that the Plan should be used as a national model, and that CONEP was willing to work to help it become a reality.

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