Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrey Travnikov held his traditional meeting with graduate students and young scientists at the Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS on the eve of Science Day on February 6. Participants included Alexander Zhukov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Valentin Parmon, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Dmitry Pyshny, Rector of Novosibirsk State University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. More than 180 young scientists and graduate students attended the event. Those present were interested in a range of topical issues, including the development of scientific research, promoting the commercialization of scientific research results, financing of the region's scientific sector, ways to provide young scientists with housing, landscaping, developing the social sphere, and improving transport accessibility in the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok. Those present also had the opportunity to participate in a discussion aimed at strengthening interactions between scientific organizations, graduate students, and young scientists' councils.
Elena Bagryanskaya, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics and Director of the N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, delivered the welcoming speech. She explained that her institute is the leader in the number of youth laboratories—seven of the 21 laboratories operating at the institute hold this status. This was the reason for the choice of venue for the meeting.
"Our laboratories offer great opportunities to young people. If they work successfully first as undergraduates and then as graduate students, they will be able to realize their potential as researchers and build a scientific career," said Elena Bagryanskaya.
One of the most relevant and sought-after support measures implemented in the Novosibirsk Region is the creation of youth laboratories, which are funded, in part, by the regional budget. Maxim Mironov, PhD, head of the Youth Research Laboratory of Chemistry and Technology of Secondary Metabolites of Plants and Animals at the Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry (SB RAS), spoke about supporting young scientists using the example of a specific youth laboratory. His presentation focused on the implementation of the project "Development of Technologies for the Integrated Processing of Plant Raw Materials from Siberia and the Far East to Produce Products for the Medical, Agricultural, Food, and Cosmetic Industries."
Ekaterina Simonova, a research fellow at the Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a candidate of geological and mineralogical sciences, discussed support measures for young scientists using regional grants from the Russian Science Foundation as an example.
NSU Rector, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Doctor of Chemical Sciences Dmitry Pyshny spoke about the conditions created for young researchers at the university.
"Novosibirsk State University is one of the leading educational institutions in the country. Our graduates are well-known not only in Novosibirsk but throughout the country, as they form the core faculty of the SB RAS institutes. Currently, 8,700 students are enrolled at NSU, with approximately 2,000 graduating annually. The number of international students has increased sharply in recent years, currently exceeding 1,500. NSU employs approximately 3,000 faculty members. Importantly, approximately 80% of them are part-time, directly working at SB RAS institutes at the forefront of science. Our graduate program is vibrant, with over 500 specialists currently enrolled. Not only Russian but also international candidates successfully defend their PhD dissertations at our university, after which they become fully-fledged, highly qualified staff for the university," said Dmitry Pyshny.
The NSU rector also said that NSU students and graduate students actively use grant support for their projects. They are recipients of a scholarship from the President of the Russian Federation for graduate students conducting research in priority areas of scientific and technological progress, they receive grants from the Russian Science Foundation under the Presidential Program for scientific groups led by young scientists – candidates and doctors of science, and grants from the Russian Science Foundation under the Presidential Program of Research Projects for Young Scientists. Currently, young NSU scientists have received five regional grants for the following projects: “Development of new catalysts for the production of hydrogen from renewable raw materials”, “Microresonators of whispering gallery modes for creating elements of sensor systems”, “Development of pyroelectric photodetector technology”, “Research of a new crystal for creating radiation sources in the mid-IR range” and “Development of measuring techniques for diffraction research at SKIF stations”. There are 7 youth laboratories at NSU, created jointly with industrial partners: “Technological solutions for creating functional materials and devices for use in electronics”, “Development of computational libraries for processing and analysis of seismic data”, “New biomedical genetic engineering technologies based on adenovirus”, “Development of new effective algorithms for describing and interpreting multi-component multiphase flows during hydrocarbon production”, “Development of new photonic technologies and methods for processing sensory signals using machine learning methods for agricultural technological applications”, “Low-carbon chemical technologies for use in organic electronics”, “Axiological potential of Buddhism in the context of international relations of Russia with the countries of East Asia: history and modernity”.
Importantly, NSU has established dissertation councils. As part of its system for training highly qualified personnel, it operates a system for independently awarding academic degrees in such fields as mathematics and mechanics, physical sciences, earth sciences, economics, engineering (computer science), and chemistry.
In his speech, Valentin Parmon, Chairman of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that personnel training is of particular importance for the development of science, and NSU is effectively fulfilling this task. NSU has been and remains a unique source of talent for the SB RAS.
An important part of the meeting included answers from Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrey Travnikov and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Alexander Zhukov to questions from young scientists. They discussed issues such as promoting the commercialization of scientific research results, funding for the region's scientific sector, ways to provide housing for young scientists, social development, landscaping, and improving transportation accessibility to Novosibirsk's Akademgorodok.
"The federal center is currently doing quite a lot in support of young scientists. There's a whole system of grants and labs for young researchers. State support measures are in place at the federal and regional levels, and there are also separate regional programs. Of course, we'd like to see more. Young scientists today are concerned about housing. I think this problem will be addressed over time," said Alexander Zhukov.
He also noted that the tasks set by the Russian President are entirely achievable with young scientists like those at the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, including those of technological leadership.
Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrei Travnikov emphasized that the Novosibirsk Region Government is interested in strengthening ties between government agencies and scientists.
"Akademgorodok is a multidisciplinary research center, and the Novosibirsk region's economy is highly diversified. It's difficult to prioritize, and that would be wrong—we're trying to develop across all sectors, leveraging the scientific and educational potential we inherited," he said.
Alexander Travnikov also added that a comfortable environment and developed infrastructure are essential for scientists to work effectively.
"I can assure you that, despite the temporary budget difficulties we're experiencing this year, not a single infrastructure project in Akademgorodok planned for 2026-2027, at either the regional or federal level, is being curtailed or even delayed. Construction of the second phase of the NSU campus will be completed on schedule. The regional project to build the second phase of Akadempark will proceed. Improvements to the park on Demakova Street will continue. A rather interesting and large-scale project to create Cherbuzy Square will begin this year. A children's music school in Akademgorodok will be opened this year, and we will begin implementing the Universitetskaya station construction project," the Governor said.
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