The day of Belarusian science, annually celebrated on the last Sunday of January, is a holiday celebrating the achievements of the national scientific school. This is an opportunity to take stock of the work done, to assess the prospects, to set new goals. About the role and productivity of the research team of the SCU named after F. Skaryna in 2017, a conversation with the Vice-rector for research of the University, doctor of technical Sciences, Professor Oleg Mikhailovich Demidenko.
- Oleg Mikhailovich, what significant events in the scientific life of the University marked the past year?
- We must admit that 2017 was very productive for our University. We have confirmed the status of the largest educational and scientific center in the region, demonstrated a high level of University science, reached a new level of the rating in the world educational space. The key events of the past year – the opening of the first regional Institute of Confucius, the creation of joint master's programs with the Moscow Institute of electronic technology and the Kursk Academy of state and municipal service, the opening of master's "information and communication systems" for the training of IT-specialists, etc.
- A significant amount of scientific research is carried out by higher education institutions of the country. What can you say about the research work at the Skaryna state University?
- In 2017, the University was the executor of 175 research projects. The main share of projects fell on applied research (55%), focused on practical application. The share of basic research was 38%, scientific and methodological-7%.
The University was the executor of 77 tasks of the State research programs, 4 grants of students and postgraduates.
In cooperation with the Belarusian Republican Foundation for basic research, we carried out 33 grants, on the terms of economic agreements on the orders of Belarusian and Russian enterprises and organizations – 12 R & d.
The total amount of funding for the work performed amounted to 1162.60 thousand rubles.
- What role does international cooperation play in attracting extra-budgetary funding sources?
— Very essential. So, last year, within the framework of international cooperation, the state University was the executor of 24 R & d with the Russian Federation, China, India, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Armenia.
The volume of exports of science-intensive and high-tech products of the University has increased significantly. If in 2016 it was about 10 thousand US dollars, in 2017 it exceeded 75 thousand us dollars.
The most significant contract is the development of recommendations for the application of polymer nanocomposite coatings from the gas phase, manufacture and supply of vacuum equipment for the Nanjing University of science and technology (China). It was implemented by the staff of the research INSTITUTE "physical chemistry and technology of micro-and nanoscale systems".
We can talk about other successfully completed business contracts with CJSC "Group of the Silicon, E" (Bryansk), JSC "Sant Andreu" (Moscow), North-Eastern Federal University named after M. K. Ammosov (Yakutsk), etc.
- Do the innovative developments of the GSU move to the countries of the European Union?
- In 2017, we took an important step in promoting high-tech products to the European Union market. This was facilitated, in particular, by the research project "Horizon 2020" in the framework of the EU program on innovation of the same name. It was signed by the state University with the Institute of low temperatures and structural studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The consortium of partners involved in the project includes universities, research institutes and organizations from Germany, Portugal, Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine.
— What other methods of commercialization of research results are used at the University?
- For example, the University provides various types of paid services to the population, enterprises and organizations. Small-scale production of abrasive tools, processing of parts by pulsed laser cladding, production of chemical products, General-purpose equipment, scientific and methodological advice in the field of sports, psychology, etc.
— One of the priority tasks of University science is the active implementation of developments in the real sector of the economy…
— Quite true. From year to year, scientists of the state University create high-tech products and techniques in demand in modern production. In 2017. 9 applied developments have found practical application in the organizations of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. It is the branch of forestry, healthcare and education, the area of sports, industry.
- Oleg Mikhailovich, any University is interested in creating a high-quality scientific environment, supporting smart, talented people in every way. What is the situation at the University with the involvement of young scientists in science?
- Understanding that young people are able to set and solve modern problems, we strive to trust them more boldly in the management of projects, laboratories, departments. In 2017 to the scientific work involved 40,82% of students of day form of education. They took part in conferences, competitions, exhibitions of various levels, actively worked in research laboratories.
We can see a positive trend in the success of young people. For example, if in 2016 137 projects took part in the national competition for the best student scientific work on natural, technical and humanitarian Sciences, in 2017 it is already 192 works, and the results are more than successful (the title of laureate was awarded to 4 authors, diplomas of the I category received 35 works, II-79, III – 47).
- One of the main factors of competitiveness of the educational institution is the publication activity of scientists. How do you assess this figure by the end of 2017?
- I am glad that the publication activity of University researchers is growing. In 2017, 2234 articles were published in journals (including rating journals with a high impact factor), collections of scientific articles and conference materials.
As for publishing activities, last year the state University published 31 monographs, 2 textbooks and 4 manuals with the stamp of the Ministry of education of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, 36 collections of conference materials, 6 issues of the journal "news of the Gomel state University named after Francis Skaryna", 4 issues of the journal" Problems of physics, mathematics and technology", etc.
I would like to note that the scale of the tasks before us requires a great deal of intellectual and financial resources. We strive to objectively assess the University's scientific and technical policy, to improve the innovative direction of scientific research, to conduct research in accordance with the priorities of the University and the state.
Talked Svetlana Hozey
Photo By Vladimir Chistik
In 2017, the University received 11 patents for inventions and utility models, 4 new applications for patents were filed.
The number of scientific and pedagogical staff is 628 people. Of these, 45 doctors and 246 candidates of science. 10 dissertations for the degree of candidate of Sciences, 1 dissertation for the degree of doctor of Sciences were defended.
At conferences students read 1890 reports, 2583 scientific works are published. 188 student works and exhibits became the winners of various competitions and exhibitions.
