Tehdyt toimenpiteet

When national becomes international

The international evaluation of Finland’s innovation system makes for fascinating reading. In the report’s preface, Reinhilde Veugelers states that although Finland may have one of the best international innovation systems in the world, in the future this may not necessarily mean much.

haataja As a result of internationalization – both in entrepreneurship as well as research and teaching – the entire concept of a national innovation system will be called into question. Finland must understand how to operate given that researchers and students are to an increasing extent having an impact within a common European system.

It is essential for the health and welfare of European citizens that we are able to exploit the latest research data on biomedicine for the benefit of our own citizens.

It is important that cutting edge research is carried out in Europe so that the results can be effectively exploited in Finland. There must be good research infrastructure.

The foundation for developing competence in biomedicine is good. Although Europe as a whole cannot boast about its competence in the bio or information technology sectors compared to the Americans or Asians; Finland, for example, is a world leader in both sectors.

Unfortunately, Europe’s international competitiveness is rapidly weakening. Fortunately, Austria and Holland are investing considerable sums in biomedical development, for example in exploiting and developing biobanks and in information technology infrastructure, which is badly needed for research.

The Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland (nowadays the Research and Innovation Council), which is chaired by the Prime Minister, proposed in 2008 that significant investments be made into research infrastructure.

No major decisions on financing have as yet been made, although the situation is becoming clearer. In any case, Finland has endeavored to be involved in European developments through its own initiatives in research sectors.

Through the CSC, Finland is involved in the Elixir project, which is being managed by the European Bioinformatics Institute, and in which opportunities are being created for managing biological information, which is increasing at a phenomenal rate.

The project is a primary requirement for medicine, the bio sector industry and public health. Finland has a good reputation in the project, although strong state support is needed so that Finland can also contribute to Elixir in the future.

Sweden has made considerable commitments to investing in the Elixir infrastructure, but we in Finland have to date settled for less concrete promises on the importance and significance of the matter.

In order to rectify the situation, three ESFRI projects in the bio sector have made a joint proposal to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on investing in infrastructure. These projects– Elixir, EATRIS and BBMRI – are important for Finland and together comprise a continuum for practical medical applications in personal health care.

Public health, if anything, is an important issue for all of Europe. Together, we must try and participate in and influence the international research agenda so that it benefits Europe’s citizens in the best possible way. If we do not succeed in this, Europe will be facing a very expensive bill in the future.

Which is the better option: to buy competence in health care from elsewhere, or to have such competence in the area that through international cooperation health care becomes a major source of income for Europe at the stage when the latest research knowledge is applied to health care at the individual level?

Juha Haataja
Director, Customer services

Evaluation of the Finnish National Innovation System. Policy Report.

CSC

Osiot

Aliosiot

Tehdyt toimenpiteet

When national becomes international


Sisältö Guidebooks and surveys @CSC CSCnews 2012 2011 2010 2009 CSCnews 1/2009 CSCnews 2/2009 CSCnews 3/2009 CSC News 4/2009 kuvat csc news 4/2009 Back issues 2001-2008 Subscribing to CSC journal Annual reports Brochures	Tehdyt toimenpiteet When national becomes international The international evaluation of Finland’s innovation system makes for fascinating reading. In the report’s preface, Reinhilde Veugelers states that although Finland may have one of the best international innovation systems in the world, in the future this may not necessarily mean much. As a result of internationalization – both in entrepreneurship as well as research and teaching – the entire concept of a national innovation system will be called into question. Finland must understand how to operate given that researchers and students are to an increasing extent having an impact within a common European system. It is essential for the health and welfare of European citizens that we are able to exploit the latest research data on biomedicine for the benefit of our own citizens. It is important that cutting edge research is carried out in Europe so that the results can be effectively exploited in Finland. There must be good research infrastructure. The foundation for developing competence in biomedicine is good. Although Europe as a whole cannot boast about its competence in the bio or information technology sectors compared to the Americans or Asians; Finland, for example, is a world leader in both sectors. Unfortunately, Europe’s international competitiveness is rapidly weakening. Fortunately, Austria and Holland are investing considerable sums in biomedical development, for example in exploiting and developing biobanks and in information technology infrastructure, which is badly needed for research. The Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland (nowadays the Research and Innovation Council), which is chaired by the Prime Minister, proposed in 2008 that significant investments be made into research infrastructure. No major decisions on financing have as yet been made, although the situation is becoming clearer. In any case, Finland has endeavored to be involved in European developments through its own initiatives in research sectors. Through the CSC, Finland is involved in the Elixir project, which is being managed by the European Bioinformatics Institute, and in which opportunities are being created for managing biological information, which is increasing at a phenomenal rate. The project is a primary requirement for medicine, the bio sector industry and public health. Finland has a good reputation in the project, although strong state support is needed so that Finland can also contribute to Elixir in the future. Sweden has made considerable commitments to investing in the Elixir infrastructure, but we in Finland have to date settled for less concrete promises on the importance and significance of the matter. In order to rectify the situation, three ESFRI projects in the bio sector have made a joint proposal to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on investing in infrastructure. These projects– Elixir, EATRIS and BBMRI – are important for Finland and together comprise a continuum for practical medical applications in personal health care. Public health, if anything, is an important issue for all of Europe. Together, we must try and participate in and influence the international research agenda so that it benefits Europe’s citizens in the best possible way. If we do not succeed in this, Europe will be facing a very expensive bill in the future. Which is the better option: to buy competence in health care from elsewhere, or to have such competence in the area that through international cooperation health care becomes a major source of income for Europe at the stage when the latest research knowledge is applied to health care at the individual level? Juha Haataja Director, Customer services Evaluation of the Finnish National Innovation System. Policy Report.