The JINR Director took part in the parliamentary hearings “Scientific personnel potential of the country: current state, development trends, and growth tools” held today by Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko. Grigory Trubnikov presented to senators a number of initiatives, including support and development of international scientific centres in Russia, the introduction of a “scientist’s passport” to simplify entrance to the country, as well as a regulatory manoeuvre in the fields of basic and exploratory studies.

Grigory Trubnikov in his speech noted the unique value of international scientific projects for Russia, like those in Dubna, Gatchina, Protvino, Sarov, Lake Baikal, Russky Island, and others.

“Thanks to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research the country considerably expands its intellectual presence on the world map. In the framework of the cooperation of Russia and the Member States, as well as Germany, China, France, and other countries, the construction of the world-scale NICA collider complex is being finished. Large-scale international experimental and theoretical research is underway at already operating facilities: the Superheavy Element Factory, the best fast pulsed reactor, hyperconvergent computing complex. Such a format as an international intergovernmental scientific centre has proven its colossal effectiveness. That is why we are ready to share our experience and opportunities for methodical coordination of the development of international centres in Russia, as well as for training the staff on their basis. These employees are our influence agents,” JINR Director RAS Academician Grigory Trubnikov noted.

Photo © Federation Council of the Russian Federation

Moreover, he noted the necessity of a systematic approach to international cooperation and the development of scientific diplomacy for the achievement of strategic aims of the scientific and technological leadership. The basics of such an approach are formulated in the Concept of International Cooperation in Science and Technology.

“It is significant to ensure favourable conditions for both Russian scientists and their cooperation with foreign colleagues. It is necessary to create a modern legislative basis for activities of international research centres in Russia and to introduce “scientists’ passports” that will simplify the entry to the country for foreign researchers. We are not able to shortly solve the task of an innovative breakthrough without creating conditions for “smart” migration via the “green corridor”, first of all, for counterparts with their unique work experience in leading centres and for researchers who choose Russia as a place for implementation of their professional ambitions and projects on priorities of the Strategy of the Scientific and Technological Development,” Grigory Trubnikov highlighted.

The JINR Director highlighted that scientific activities should receive a special status at the legislative level since it is a special type of activity that results in a scientific product, i.e. knowledge and developments.

“In order for scientific organizations and teams to focus on research and multiply their performance, a regulatory manoeuvre is necessary: abandoning of the control over numerous formal intermediate indicators in favour of evaluating the final result; securing the right to risk failure in basic and exploratory research; launch of long-term research programmes in the frames of state tasks in response to open reporting; allowing co-financing of basic research and scientific studies from various budgetary and extra-budgetary sources; barrier-free interbudget transfers and increasing support of science cities; easing procurement regulations for unique scientific equipment and expendable materials/reagents. The scientific and technological development requires the unconditional implementation of the proposed regulatory manoeuvre,” Grigory Trubnikov said.

Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Valery Falkov, RAS President Alexander Sergeev, President of the Russian Union of Rectors, MSU Rector Victor Sadovnichy, Governor of the Novosibirsk region Andrey Travnikov, representatives of scientific and educational organizations, the expert community gave talks at the event.