The Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications, Gilberto Kassab said, this Tuesday (2) that is working to ensure the continuity of Internet service of the  Brazilian National Research and Educational Network (RNP) in the country's universities. "There is a dialogue with the government, and we can consider this issue resolved", said the Minister in an interview at the Senate after attending the seminar on the Legal Framework of Science, Technology and Innovation.

RNP is a social organization associated to the MCTIC and maintained together with the Ministries of Education, Culture, Health and Defense.

According to MCTIC, financial transfers yet to be made in 2016 and the execution of an Amendment to the Management Agreement with RNP, expected to take place soon, will allow the maintenance of services. For the year 2016, the amount approved by the Annual Budget Law (LOA) for MCTIC destined to RNP amounts to R$ 36,670,182.00. RNP also receives funds from the Ministries of Education and Health.

Recovery

Since taking office at the MCTIC, Gilberto Kassab is seeking funds to ensure the maintenance of science, technology and innovation programs developed by research institutes. The Minister has secured the release of R$ 1 billion and the release of an additional R$ 400 million for the Defense and communication Geostationary Satellite program. "MCTIC has achieved the largest funds release of the Executive. We hope the same for the month of September when there will be an assessment of the government," said the minister on Tuesday, in the Senate.

In July, the Ministry of Planning also authorized the budgetary supplementation in the amount of R$ 4.65 million for the supercomputer Santos Dumont, at the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), research unit of MCTIC. The funds ensure the full functioning of the largest supercomputer in Latin America and the advancement of research on the zika virus, for instance.

Source: MCTIC

Photograph: Ascom/MCTIC