Recife, March 18, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The government doesn't wants science to serve just the scientists any more but, rather, to involve the entire population. This affirmation was made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaking at a ceremony in which the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and the Federal University of Pernambuco signed agreements to stimulate scientific research. According to Lula, "the universities should be consulted, to find out what they can offer the general population."

The resources, totaling R$ 5 million, come from the MST's Infrastructure Sectorial Fund, through the Finep (Studies and Projects Finance Agency). One of the agreements covers the aquisition of equipment for electron microscopy.

During the ceremony, the President also highlighted the doubling of resources for investments in science and technology during the second year of his Administration. These resources should attain R$ 600 million by 2006.

Translator: David Silberstein