Speech of Russia Rectors’ Union President,
Rector of Moscow State Lomonosov University,
academician Victor A. Sadovnichiy
at the leading higher school institutions of Russia and
China Forum
“The role of international cooperation in the
Higher Education Quality Increase”
Dear Mrs. Chen Zhili!
Dear Ambassador Plenipotentiary!
Dear colleagues!
Dear guests!
Let me take the floor for the first speech. I have named it “Moscow
University – a look into future of education in Russia”. Of course, the
narrative will be related mainly to the Moscow University. Still, the problems
and achievements of the Moscow University are typical for other
universities of our country.
I am pleased to greet such a distinguished gathering in Moscow
University. Almost a year has passed since the preceding forum in Pecking
University. I remember the brilliant reports of participants, and intense
arguments that took place at these days in PRC capital. I am sure that the
present forum will be remembered as an important event in lives of our
universities, our countries and people.
More than hundred rectors of universities of PRC and Russia
participate in it. Certainly, they represent the leading, brilliant universities of
our countries.
I am happy to greet you all, dear guests, dear colleagues. The
destiny of the higher education in the two great world powers is in our
hands.
Let me, exercising my rights of receiving university’s rector, to tell you
something about the Moscow University. Please, do not consider my words
as a boast. To report to the pick of rectors’ corps of China and Russia is a
great honor.
The Moscow University has celebrated its 252nd anniversary. It was
founded according the project of the great person of encyclopedic
knowledge, the first Russian academician M.V. Lomonosov and by efforts
of I.I.Shuvalov, the prominent patron of science and arts. The Empress
Elisabeth has signed the decree to found the Moscow University at the
name day of Shuvalov’s mother Tatiana. That is why our main holiday is
called “Tatiana’s Day”.
We have participated in launching Confucius Institute project in
Moscow. Soon we will celebrate the 300th anniversary of M.V.
Lomonosov’s birthday. I would consider it proper for our government to
establish Lomonosov institutions in other countries to promote Russian
language, culture and arts - all that these institutions should do.
Two and a half centuries after its founding, the Moscow University
has become the biggest scientific and cultural center, and, certainly, the
recognized leader in the higher education field.
The Moscow State University has a the unique intellectual potential:
about 3 thousand doctors, 5 thousand candidatates of science, about 300
academicians and corresponding members of the Russia Academy of
Science and branch academies. From 18 Nobel Prize Russian laureates,
11 were graduates or professors of the Moscow University.
The prominent scientists and founders of the world-known scientific
schools, who have left the prominent track in science, such as Luzin.
Kolmogorov, Pantriagin, Tikhonov, Keldysh, Lebedev, Bogoliubov, Landau,
Sechenov, Zelinsky, Semenov, Koltsov and many others, were working in
the University.
Certainly, the development of infrastructure is very important for
every university. Now the colossal building project is carrying out at the
new territory of the Moscow University. By the 250th anniversary of the
University, the fundamental library (intellectual center), where we are now,
has been opened. By September 1, the start of this academic year, the new
building for studies of 106 thousand sq. m and the first stage of university
medical center were opened.
Next is the construction of three big buildings for studies and a
scientific building with special laboratories and “clean rooms”.
At the desire of many Chinese rectors, I will tell you about the main
scientific breakthroughs of Russian universities.
There are two factors, which allow carrying out scientific researches
in Moscow University at rather high level, namely, the highly qualified
scientists and the newest scientific equipment.
Recently, we have obtained about 500 units of unique expensive
equipment for approximately 7 billion roubles. One could say, that one unit
costs one million dollars. In scientific researches of priority, we are
supplied, probably, with the most modern equipment. Such an equipment
lets us to choose possible breakthroughs, pose ambitious tasks and
achieve results.
I would like to give several examples.
The first is related to the area of science we are expecting major
breakthroughs in. Namely, these are nanotechnologies. It is expected, that
researches in nanotechnologies will change the life of mankind in a
revolutionary way. It is a question of making new instruments at the size of
separate atoms, of creating new materials with predetermined properties.
Scientists of the Moscow University pioneered in this area and
published the first proceeding in nanotechnology. Our scientists have built
the first tunnel-effect microscope, too.
We consider it very important that the decision to intensify this area of
science and the state program of works in nanotechnologies were taken.
Just tomorrow the meeting of government council for nanotechnologies, I
am a member of, will take place.
A year ago, scientists of the Moscow University gain a big grant to
equip the common-access center for nanotechnologies with the most
modern instruments. The equipment is in front of you. Now students, postgraduates and scientists from many universities may make experiments,
using the equipment. Besides, not every university has such equipment.
Moscow University closely collaborates with the leading scientific
centers of our country in the field of nanotechnologies, like Kurchatov
Institute. Our cooperation provides the potent base for students to prepare
and carry out joint scientific experiments. Jointly with Technical Bauman
University and other universities, we develop educational programs for
physical chemistry of nanosystems and application of nanotechnologies in
biomedicine.
I would like to give another example.
Medical faculty of the Moscow University was the first in our country
to get an official permit to carry out clinical trials of stem cells as a
therapeutic substance. Gene cell methods to stimulate growing of blood
vessels of human lower extremities and heart have been developed and
now are at practical use in Russia Cardiology Center.
A year ago, while in Peking, I told you about the first experiments on
human molecular polymorphism, carried in the Moscow University and
several institutes of Academy of Sciences. I told you that it would be
possible, using a single blood drop, to predict the effect of a medicine on a
human being. Even more, abilities to different fields of action and
predisposition to certain illnesses could be determined, too. Therefore,
while developing approaches to study human molecular polymorphism, the
unique method has been created. It allows detecting and identifying
proteins and their structure by mass-spectrometry of biomacromolecules in
exhaled air. More than 50 proteins, unique for every individual, can be
determined by this method. Thus, this method could be used as an express
diagnostics, most suitable for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Proceedings on human molecular polymorphism are collected in a
monograph of the same name.
Scientists of our University contributed greatly in the recent discovery
in elementary-particle physics – namely, observation of “birth” of a single
top-quark, the heaviest of known quarks. Actually, it is a penetration inside
matter, an important step in understanding of structure of matter and
interactions. A big international group of scientists has made the discovery,
but it is important that our scientists took part in it.
I will give you another example. Now the integral speed of
supercomputers in our University is about 2 teraflops. We plan to put into
operation the most powerful computer in Russia by the end of this year. Its
speed is 60 teraflops. It will be the tenth such a supercomputer in the world.
University community, due to constant replenishment with young and
talented scientists, is the most suitable for innovative activity. Mrs. Chen
Zhili told us about setting joint scientific parks. I am well aware of great
successes of PRC in founding of scientific parks. Still, I will give as an
example the scientific park of Moscow University – the oldest one in
Russia. Now it consists of 40 high-tech companies with 3000 scientists,
students and employees. Total turnover of the companies is 150 million
dollars a year. One of these days, Russia’s vice-PM Sergey B. Ivanov
visited the scientific park and highly appreciated its work.
We support, and, actually are the founders of another innovation
structure in our University. Namely, Moscow Center of Technologies
Transfer, which unites Moscow institutes and institutes of Academy of
Sciences, is now supplemented by our University’s Center of Technologies
Transfer.
To acknowledge the leading role of the Moscow University,
Moscow city council entrust our University with chairmanship in Experts’
Council to coordinate city programs in health, transport, communications,
energy, construction, ecology and public safety.
Our Government and our Ministry have rendered more than 50 grants
to the leading universities in our country. The grants are jointly named
“Innovative University”. We invest our grant into 4 big scientific tasks.
Space sciences. We are now assembling 2 satellites and we will
launch them soon.
Study of Communications (including innovative ones).
Study of Materials.
Biosciences.
Another novelty in Russia is “Festival of Science”. The Moscow
University initiated last year the first “Festival of Science”. More than 20
thousand participants gathered for the event – schoolchildren, their
parents, teachers, students, professors, foreign guests. The festival proved
to be very popular in Moscow, so we decided to make it a tradition. This
year the festival will be conducted citywide, and, due to its popularity, city
council supported the idea of allotting several venues for it, including the
main one the Moscow University. I hope, next year these festivals will be
conducted countrywide.
I would like to tell about another program. As I have already told you,
soon we launch two new satellites. And now on these slides you can see
the launch of the first university satellite with big scientific-research and
educational program from Plesetsk launching site.
So the first university satellite had been launched. The two new
satellites will be launched in cooperation with Bauman Technical University
and colleagues from the India, Korea and Mexico. I call Peking and Xinhua
Universities to participate in the project. We have rather advanced base for
it. University satellites are doing great educational and scientific work for
our universities. I believe that there will come a time when we sign an
agreement with a Chinese university to launch a satellite jointly.
Unexampled rate of scientific and technical progress calls for training
of society’s intellectual elite. I would like to give an example.
Yearly we arrange young scientists contest with a hefty bonus from
sponsors. These are the photos of 180 young scientists – winners of the
contest. Besides diploma, they have received a very substantial support
from sponsors, so for a couple of years they can work without concern for
their financial position.
The heated discussion takes place in our country’s educational
community. The matter of concern is relations between employers and
university graduates. It is very important that graduates from Moscow and
other universities meet the challenges of time. That is why we try to enroll
very talented youth. We are aware of existence in different countries
different enroll systems – various tests, exams, etc. We propose to expand
these variants with all-Russia Olympiads. According to our information,
Olympiad winners are 15-20% more successful in teaching than average
university students are. I believe that these Olympiads are useful for talent
search.
At these slides, you can see episodes from the World Chemistry
Olympiad, held in the Moscow University. Among 78 countries-participants,
the winner (by points) was the Chinese team. I would like to congratulate
Chinese schoolchildren on the victory. The winner (by medals) was the
Russian team, too.
I want to touch on another question – that of partnership between
university and business.
At these slides, you can see the opening ceremonies of corporate
universities. These are the higher schools inside a university, financed by
business. There are 5 similar schools inside the Moscow University
already. I assess this form of cooperation very positively. Business
supports university financially, programs that business is interested in are
opened and the university is responsible for their contents and
implementation. Our President V. Putin in his address to the VIII Congress
of Rectors has called for closer cooperation between the Higher School
and business. At the Congress, held a year ago in Assembly Hall of the
Moscow University, a strategic agreement had been signed between the
Rectors’ Union and the three main employers’ associations – namely,
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Union of Industrialists and
Businessman, “Business Russia”.
I would say that the agreement works vigorously and helps us a lot.
Now I would like to tell you about the work of Russia Rectors’ Union.
An organization, which unites more than 1200 rectors of state and nonstate institutes of the Higher School of our country, has taken the
responsibility for the destiny of education and science in Russia. At this
slide, we can see the address of our President at the 8th Congress of
Rectors’ Union. The Moscow declaration to defend the fundamental
science and education, supported by rectors of the leading universities of
the world, has been adopted by initiative of the Rectors’ union. I believe
that the Declaration is the very important document to defend the principles
of education. Rectors’ Union rejected resolutely the plans to privatize
universities and our opinion has been heard. The Rectors’ Union initiated
the Olympiad movement as an effective way to select the talented youth
and we consider the Olympiads as an alternative to the common state
exam. The Rectors’ Union works strenuously to prepare the legislative
initiative – the so-called Educational Code. The Code would regulate all the
budget, tax, administrative, civil and other interrelations in the educational
sphere. Rectors’ Union stands for the real integration of science and
education and we are ready to defend our positions in our struggle against
any unreasoned drafts, which could, in spite of appealing slogans, led to
the weaker position of the Higher School and loss of the high level of
science and education in our country.
I would like to make a proposal. The Russia Rectors’ Union is a very
influential organization in our country and it cooperates with other countries’
Rectors’ unions. I know that there is a Rectors’ Union in PRC. I think that
we could create joint structures of our Unions for cooperation in educational
sphere. I believe, that such a work would favorable for education in both
China and Russia. I address myself to China Rectors’ Union.
Let me add a couple of words (and finish) about our international
cooperation. The Moscow University cooperates with 180 universities from
57 countries. Now about 2000 citizens of PRC are interns in the Moscow
University. Active work along the line of our agreements from both Chinese
and Russian parts resulted in exchange of hundreds of students. Now
about 50 students from PRC are studying in the Moscow University.
Overall, about 2000 Chinese citizens are the students, post-graduates and
other participants of our cooperation. We have got about approximately 40
agreements in force with Chinese universities. Among them are the
agreements with Ministry of Education, Academy of Social Sciences,
Peking University, Xinhua University, Shanghai University and others. The
geography of our cooperation is very wide – Peking, Shanghai,
Guangzhou, Chindou, Oukhal and other cities and university centers of
China.
We have very close cooperation with the Peking University. Besides
the general cooperation agreement (re-confirmed today), we have an
agreement about the joint post-graduate studies and creation of joint
information centers in Peking and Moscow Universities. In 2003, the days
of the Moscow University were successfully marked in the Peking
University. Since that time, 30 Chinese post-graduates were trained in
Moscow.
Joint
activity
of
Moscow
and
Peking
universities
was
acknowledged at the highest level. Yesterday we celebrated the 5-yearlong activity of the joint post-graduate studies. Besides, this event is
included into the state-important schedule of actions of “Year of China” in
Russia. I am pleased to mark that our high guest, Mrs. Chen Zhili is the
initiator of joint post-graduates studies, one of the most successful projects
among the Sino-Russian projects. The number of students, studying the
Chinese, is growing. Besides the professional Institute of Asia and Africa,
the Chinese is now being learned at many faculties – geographic,
philological, philosophical, sociological and others.
The Moscow University, emphasizing the importance Sino-Russian
ties, traditionally holds the Days of Sino-Russian Friendship in the
University. Our students create amateur art activities groups, jointly
participate in tours, camping trips and other measures. Many of our
students are interested in the Chinese culture. Here is an unexpected
example. The ancient stronghold, Por-Bazhing, situated within our borders,
being used as a summer residence of 8th century Chinese Emperor, is now
being restored. Our students participated in the archeological dig of this
magnificent monument of Chinese architecture and culture. Our students
grain by grain gathered artifacts and studied the ancient stronghold. The
task is to restore it as it was in the 8th century. I appeal to Chinese rectors,
especially to the Peking University rector, and propose to form a joint team
for these works – to enhance the learning of other county’s culture. Native
students are the best choice. I think it is real. Besides, students from many
European
universities
have
expressed
the
wish
to
participate.
Nevertheless, we wish, first, that the Chinese team would participate.
We could talk about our cooperation for a long time. As we have
founded today the Confucius Institute, I would finish my address with the
splendid words of this outstanding philosopher. Let’s think it over. He has
said: “When the ways are different, no joint plans are composed”. Dear
colleagues, our countries have the same way – the way of science and
education development, so we have to make up great plans of our
cooperation. Thank you.