The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology performs tasks in the field of higher education, research, technology, metrology and promotion of the information society in the areas not covered by other ministries. The ministry also co-ordinates work in the field of the information society.
Directorate for Science and Higher Education performs tasks in the field of professional higher and university education, and research.
Department for Higher Education performs tasks enabling planning, directing and financing of higher education activities, residential facilities for students and higher education libraries. It defines starting points and objectives of higher education policy; analyses the attainment of concrete goals; draws up the National Higher Education Programme, monitors and evaluates its effects; prepares legislative and other proposals; approves the calls for enrolment and the distribution of study programmes; determines, implements and analyses integral financing of higher education institutions, analyses socio-economic issues for students; performs expert tasks related to integration into the European Union Higher Education Area. It also participates in creating an information system for higher education; analyses and monitors financing; examines and settles at second instance appeals concerning Ad futura and students’ residential facilities.
Department for Science defines the expert bases for the adoption of political documents in the field of research policy. It drafts laws and implementing regulations on research activities. It establishes and enhances the system of comprehensive analyses and monitoring of the situation and development in research, develops new tools for attaining research policy goals, and plans the required financial resources for research.
Directorate for Technology performs tasks in the field of technological development and innovation by introducing modern concepts that promote technological development and innovation in the Slovenian industry. In its work it follows four basic orientations: horizontal incentives for R&D projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); technology programmes in selected technological fields; R&D infrastructure and human resources development; participation of the economy in the international R&D area.
Directorate for the Information Society is responsible for accelerated, harmonised and efficient development of the information society based on knowledge and life-long learning. This is in practice reflected in the transfer of knowledge, information and communications technologies and contents to schools and research institutions, public administration and local self-government bodies, the economy and civil society. In its work the Directorate co-operates with various organisations, including those in the field of legislation, security and privacy in the e-world, education, monitoring of indicators of the information society development, promotion of software development and its localisation based on an open and free source, scientific and expert meetings, projects bridging the digital divide and others.
The Ministry’s basic areas of work in the field of international co-operation encompass bilateral and multilateral scientific and technological co-operation. The Ministry represents Slovenia and participates on its behalf in the work of the European Commission committees. It is actively involved in the 5th, 6th and 7th EU Framework Programmes. It also covers the activities of Slovenia in the R&D field of South Eastern Europe. Within the Ministry, the UNESCO Office performs tasks concerning Slovenia’s co-operation with UNESCO, the realisation of UNESCO objectives in Slovenia, collaboration with national commissions and bodies in other countries as well as NGOs.
The Metrology Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (MIRS) and Higher Education Office of the Republic of Slovenia are also a body within the Ministry.
The Metrology Institute determines and runs the national metrology system in Slovenia, including t he field of precious metal articles, and procedures related to the Slovenian Business Excellence Prize. It represents these systems in the corresponding international organisations, and develops them in an internationally comparable and recognisable way.
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