37 scientists apply to become academicians

37 scientists have submitted applications to become members of the Moldovan Academy of Sciences (ASM). At this stage, the Academy will choose 13 correspondent and 10 full-fleged members in a variety of fields, the Academy's HR chief Ion Vartanu told Info-Prim Neo. “For example, there has been only one correspondent member application in chemistry, from the Ph.D. Mihai Revenco, pro-rector of science at the Moldovan State University. 5 Ph.D.s will fight for a place in biology. The physics department will also have room for 1 more member, even though there were 5 submissions as well”, said Ion Vartanu. There usually isn’t much competition for the permanent member status, because only certain people may claim this title. This time 10 folders have been submitted for the 10 available spots. The other 27 candidates want to become correspondent members. ASM members are chosen with a 2/3 vote by those who are present at the meeting. Sometimes it happens that nobody is picked. Ion Vartanu has said that a place becomes available if its holder dies or renounces it. “We have 26 members who are younger than 70, the majority is older, and 25 academicians are over 80 years of age. Moldova has 90 academicians, which is a lot more than Hungary which has roughly half of that and Greece which has only 35, but almost all of our academy members are active, they participate in research, meetings and are on the staff of institutes and hospitals”, remarked Vartanu. To be a member of ASM means being nationally recognized as a leading scientist or researcher in a certain field. At the same time it also means material benefits, a full-fledged member of the Academy receives a monthly allowance of 3000, while a correspondent one receives 2000. Ion Vartanu says that academicians receive several times more money in Russia and Romania.