Every year, on February 8, the Russian scientific community celebrates its professional holiday—the Day of Russian Science, established by presidential decree in 1999. This is a historical date, because it is associated with the formation of the Academy of Sciences in the Russian Federation by decree of Peter the Great. South Ural State University, as one of the flagships of science development in Russia, is implementing breakthrough strategic projects within the Research Leadership track of the Priority 2030 program.
In Russia, 2021 was named the Year of Science and Technology, and a special strategy for scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation was approved, which involves strengthening the effectiveness of theoretical scientific developments and combining them with the real sectors of the economy. SUSU Vice-Rector for Research Anton Korzhov spoke about the university's victory in the Priority 2030 academic strategic leadership program and the university's plans for scientific research development.
SUSU entered the Priority 2030 project in 2021 and became one of the winners in the Research Leadership track. What goals and objectives does the university face under this program?
- Within the Priority 2030 program, South Ural State University has set the goal of becoming a model 3.0 university. The concept of University 3.0 is a combination of science, education, and innovative entrepreneurship, which are inextricably linked. This is the basis for modern educational programs demanded by the market and employers. Our goal is to learn how to conduct applied developments based on the development of fundamental knowledge, the commercialization of the results obtained, and to use this knowledge to develop modern scientific and educational programs.
Could you please tell us more about the strategic projects?
- Five strategic projects were announced for the Research Leadership track. Project teams of leading scientists, graduate students, and students were formed in each field. The first project is related to intellectual manufacturing, the second to advanced materials, the third to the ecology of post-industrial agglomerations, the fourth to health conservation in the digital world, and the fifth project—the development of digital competencies. The university teams have made significant ground work in these fields.
Under the guidance of the Rector Aleksandr Shestakov, the university substantiated the relevance and prospects of implementing the 5 strategic projects before the project commission at the defence of the SUSU Development Program within the Priority 2030 project. In addition, these fields are necessary for the development of the Chelyabinsk Region, so the application was supported by Governor Alexey Texler.
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What benefits does the Priority 2030 project bring to SUSU? How important is it for faculty and students?
- Thanks to our victory in the Research Leadership track, we were included in an elite group of 17 universities of the Russian Federation. The status of a "research university" provides a number of advantages related to the financing of the university and provides the opportunity to participate in various grant programs. By participating in this program, we have additional opportunities to finance scientific developments being conducted at the university. In addition, the Governor and the Government of the Chelyabinsk Region are providing support for our scientists. We plan to further develop laboratories. Special attention is paid to the participation of young people in scientific projects. In 2021, from 20 to 30 undergraduate and graduate students participated in each strategic project. They were given the opportunity to implement major research projects, work in a professional team, and receive additional funding for their work.
What measures of support is the university planning this year for scientists?
- In 2021, we held the Support of Young Science at SUSU contest as part of the roadmap of the Priority 2030 program. There were more than 30 projects and more than 200 participants. Through this open competition with independent evaluation, 9 projects were selected and financed. Now the selection for a new contest—Development of New Laboratories—is over. The expert commission will select the winners in the strategic directions of the university. Each application must include the participation of young people.
What would you like to wish our scientists on the Russian Science Day?
- I wish young scientists, undergraduate, and graduate students to be more active, participate in contests, and take initiative. Anyone can take part in world-class research and become part of a team of one of the strategic projects of the Priority 2030 program. Of course, the university staff must adapt to the goals and indicators of the new program, but I am sure we will succeed.
South Ural State University (SUSU) is a university of digital transformations, where innovative research is conducted in most of the priority fields of science and technology development. In accordance with the strategy of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, the university is focused on the development of big scientific interdisciplinary projects in the field of digital industry, materials science, and ecology. In the Year of Science and Technology, SUSU became the winner in the competition under the Priority 2030 program. The university acts as a regional project office of the World-class Ural Interregional Research and Education Centre (UIREC).
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