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Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), by the universities and technical universities under the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Technology, and by laboratories and institutes under the jurisdiction of other government ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of National Defense, and the industrial ministries (Figure 1).

A Committee for Science and Technology (KNiT) was established in 1963 to set up priorities in research and development, undertake general planning and coordination of scientific and technological activities, and advise the government on funding of research activities. The KNiT also supervised the application of major scientific discoveries and inventions, and encouraged the effective use of foreign scientific technological achievements. For many years there was a struggle for power over scientific affairs between the PAN and the KNiT and, in an attempt to reconcile the differences that had developed, the government appointed Prof. Jan Kaczmarek, then Chairman of KNiT, concurrently as Scientific Secretary of PAN. Since he is also a member of the Central Committee of the Party and a member of the Presidium of the Council of State, he holds a strong position in Polish science and technology. In March 1972 a reorganization of the education ministries resulted in a restructured Ministry of Education and Training, and the creation of a new Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Technology headed by Prof. Kaczmarek. In the process the KNiT was abolished. Responsibilities of the new ministry are to develop national policies and priorities for scientific and technological activities; to coordinate research and development at all centers; to stimulate scientific liaison with other countries; and to develop and implement national plans for the training of research personnel.

Created in 1952, the PAN, although less powerful than formerly in scientific affairs, is still the foremost scientific organization in Poland. Structurally, it resembles the Soviet Academy of Sciences. It is the major instrument for conducting basic research and is also responsible for some applied research; the latter is done in PAN's institutes. At the request of the government or state administrative bodies, the PAN organizes inquiries demanding expert scientific opinions in connection with the development of

'''FIGURE 1. Organization for scientific and technical activities in Poland, 1972 (C)''' (chart)

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