City above New Belgrade - Construction of EUR 20 million Center for Promotion of Science kicks off

When a preliminary design for the building of the Center for Promotion of Science was chosen in late 2009, only few people believed that Serbia was ready for the age of science, that is, that our country could take the same path as developed economies of the world, whose growth is based on innovations and knowledge. However, it seems more and more likely that the building worth EUR 20 million will open its doors to first scientists and lovers of scientific phenomena in 2014, as planned.

Work on the construction of facilities in Block 39 in New Belgrade has already started, eKapija learns from people at the Center for Promotion of Science, which is an institution that has been working on the promotion of science and technologies in Serbia and the world for almost a year although it still officially has no building.

- Preparatory construction works are now underway for the building of the Center for Promotion of Science, which is part of the Science and Art Campus, and so are preparation works for infrastructure development in Block 39. In accordance with the adopted Master Plan and issued location and building permits, construction of the Center for Promotion of Science will be carried out in phases – Aleksandra Drecun, director of the Center for Promotion of Science (CPS), says in a talk with eKapija.

Preparation works are entrusted to Grading from Paracin, Minel Dinamo from Barajevo and Interklima from Vrnjacka Banja.

Work is underway on a main design, which will be based on the preliminary design of architect Wolfgan Chapeler from Austria, who won the international architectural competition in 2009.

(Aleksandra Drecun)

- A so-called preliminary design will be finished soon, and it is completely in line with all European and domestic standards for this type of facilities.

Our interlocutor also points out that architect Chapeler has put our engineers of various professions on his team, some of whom were engaged in the construction of demanding buildings worldwide.

- In that way, the project has got new enthusiasm, competence and strength, as well as an even stronger local component. This is a great opportunity for our architects, construction workers and engineers to work on a challenging project in their own country, together with their colleagues from the rest of the world. Austrians are delighted with the competence of our people.

Money for the construction of this interesting building has been provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), as part of its support to our scientific and educational system.

Aleksandra Drecun stresses that the final amount of this investment will be known once all tender procedures are over. At the moment, it is estimated at EUR 20 million.

Our interlocutor also says that a part of equipment and certain exhibits have already been produced in Serbia, in cooperation with our scientific and research organizations and our craftsmen, while specific parts of eqipment and exhibits that cannot be made in Serbia will be procured in cooperation with other similar institutions from around the world.

- Our Center for Promotion of Science is a member of both European and world association of scientific centers (ESCITE and ASTC), which give us a huge support in the preparation of our future program. Also, during events such as "May - Month of Mathematics" and "Festival of Robotics," which the Center organized in cooperation with SANU and our scientific and research institutions, some high-quality prototypes of interactive exhibits were produced and programs were designed for a number of workshops, scientific demonstrations and other activities that require active participation of visitors. We also expect the work on exhibits related to scientific contribution of our greatest scientists Pupin, Milankovic and others to start soon – Drecun explains.

The program of this Center will be intended for people of all ages, regardless of their formal education. The facility will be completely open to public, available to everybody, and it will have only few offices.

- A special part of the Center is a space for presenting the latest technologies. There is also a science and art gallery and the Kids Science Club for children above the age of two.

When asked how much such center can contribute to the popularization of science among our citizens, our interlocutor replies:

- According to a scientific research that has recently been presented in the prestigious magazine Scientific American, an average citizen acquires 95 percent of knowledge outside the school system - at scientific centers, museums, aquariums, exhibitions, from the media. It is very important that we have an opportunity to learn about things outside the school and when a formal education is over. We believe that the Center will give our citizens and those who make important social decisions a chance to get familiar with the latest scientific and technological achievements in the country and abroad, that the reputation of scientists will be on the level they deserve, and that young people will be more interested in becoming scientists.

Drecun believes that the connection with the economy is also very important, which is why the Center will focus on establishing an even better communication between scientists and businessmen, with the aim of enabling a greater application of scientific knowledge and new technologies.

If everything goes as planned, passers-by in streets Milutina Milankovica, Bulevar Umetnosti, Omladinskih Brigada and Bulevar Arsenija Carnojevica (surrounding the Block 39) will be able to see an elevated city that has no contact with the ground, except through several pillars. The building will be surrounded by bicycle and running trails, areas with water and lush and diverse vegetation...

S.O.