Proposals regarding the employment of foreigners in the Slovenian research environment
Ljubljana, 2 September 2020 – At the National Institute of Chemistry, we believe that involvement in international multidisciplinary research networks and networking with the top global research institutions, groups and individuals is crucial and helps us enrich our scientific excellence. Every day, again and again, we strive to provide an open space for foreign researchers.
In connection with this, in June this year, the Institute hosted a round table “Foreigners in the Slovenian academic and scientific environment”, where we raised the question of why we are not more successful in attracting promising scientists, what problems foreign researchers face, how great an obstacle is the Slovenian language and whether the use of the English language in the research and academic environment is sufficiently promoted. We also touched on the bureaucratic obstacles faced by foreigners who come to work in Slovenia and of course the academic institutions that want to regulate their status.
As the number of foreign researchers has been increasing at the National Institute of Chemistry and many other research organisations alike, we have summarised into a few key points the conclusions of the discussion and the bureaucratic problems that we encounter in the procedures for employing foreign citizens at the Institute. Based thereon, we formulated proposals for improving the current situation in this area and addressed them to all the relevant ministries and other state bodies.
Our proposals refer to:
• optimising the procedures for issuing temporary residence permits to work in the field of research or higher education and issuing temporary residence permits for highly qualified professionals (EU Blue Card);
• optimising the procedures for obtaining a residence permit, especially for third-country nationals;
• reducing queues and optimising procedures at the Ljubljana Administrative Unit (AU), specifically at the Department for Foreigners, where foreigner nationals arrange everything necessary in connection with residing and working in Slovenia. We also suggest that communication in the English language is made possible between AU consultants and foreigners and that bilingual documents (forms, letters, etc.) are introduced;
• the possibility of introducing applications for tenders of the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) in the English language;
• regulation of flat rental;
• arrangements for foreign nationals to have access to personal physicians.
At the national Institute of Chemistry, we are aware that internationalisation is an important factor in economic growth, value added and the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy, and that this represents the central axis of Slovenia’s strategic development. We are also certain that the internationalisation of the research sector, and consequently of the transfer of knowledge, new technologies and scientific discoveries, is extremely important and we thus strive to provide foreigners at the Institute with a pleasant working environment and make their stay in the Republic of Slovenia as hassle-free as possible.