Prof. dr Snežana Smederevac, coordinator of ERASMUS+ BE-OPEN project, met on 6th March 2017 with prof. dr Vesna Mandić, Deputy Minister for development and higher education at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development in Belgrade. The Ministry is responsible for the creation of national education and research policy and therefore plays a crucial role in the BE-OPEN project. The Ministry’s involvement, role and obligations in the project were discussed in detail.

According to prof. dr Vesna Mandić, the Ministry formed a Working Group for Open Data, responsible for creating and promoting Open Data Principles in Serbia. The Ministry is also part of the Working Group for Open Data within the Regional Inititative in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A repository of researchers and teachers at higher education institutions in Serbia was created at the Ministry within the Sector for Development and Higher Education. The support of the government bodies is crucial for reaching an agreement on the standards for realization of Open Science policies at Serbian higher education institutions, thus on this occasion the commitment of the Ministry for sound implementation of BE-OPEN activities was assured.