On March 18, the workshops for young scientists of the Volga Federal District titled the Young Science: A Trajectory of Discovery were held in Saratov University. The event was attended by young scientists, teaching staff, and postgraduates of Russian scientific and educational organisations. It took place in Zoom and was broadcast on the YouTube channel.

The event is organized by Saratov University, the Association of Classical Universities of Russia (ACUR) and the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education of the Presidential Council for Science and Education supported by Presidential Grants Foundation.

The plenary session was opened by the Vice-Rector for Research Aleksei Koronovskii: “The aim of our work is to define guidelines and tools for building a career path for young scientists. The session program includes a training part, where the prospects for building a career in science, bringing ideas to a scientific result, publishing activities in scientific journals, stages of preparation and implementation of grants are considered. Expert discussions are devoted to the creation and assessment of competencies, as well as postgraduate programs as the main tool for the formation of basic research competencies. "

The Chairman of the Council of Rectors of the Volga Federal District, President of the NNSU R.G. Strongin. He turned to young specialists choosing a scientific field: “Science is one of the most important foundations of all spheres of activity. For its existence and progress, a new generation of creative researchers is needed. Great satisfaction gives a person both the opening of new facets of the world and the feeling of personal recognition generated by this. Science is global detail, if a new theorem is proven or a new substance is discovered, then this is the author's personal world record. Achieving results requires hard work and giving up a lot. You need a breadth of preparation, environment and a wise mentor. Before you become important in your science school, you need to grow up in your teacher's recognized school. ”

With the beginning of the session, the participants from the Russian Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation were congratulated by the head of the Research Institute of Physics Mechanics of SSU Academician Sergei Nikitov. “Science has always been and is being done by young people. When we are young, full of desires and aspirations, we try to discover and realize ourselves to the fullest. Now is the time when you can immerse yourself in science, find your vocation and benefit society, ”stressed Sergei Apollonovich. According to him, a teacher is the person who gives impetus to work, instructs and supports at every stage of activity, so his role is very important.

Chairman of the Coordination Council under the President of the Russian Federation N.V. Marchenkov presented the report "Science and Technology in Russia: Challenges and Priorities". In it, he dwelled on the main problems of society, dictated by the time, and the mechanisms for their settlement. These include issues related to medicine, state security, space development, interaction between humans, nature and technology, and modern energy. Each of these aspects is complex and closely related to each other. Threats of resource and bioenergy collapse are also among the key problems .According to the speaker, disciplinary projects and the involvement of the largest number of young scientists in the work can help in solving these problems.

Executive Director of AKUR E.V. Karavaeva spoke about the developed model of competencies in the scientific field and related fields of activity as the basis for the training and professional growth of researchers and organizers of science.

This model can become the basis for a system for the formation of human resources in Russian science that meets modern challenges. “The labor market has started to use the term“ competence ”more often. It not only includes individual knowledge and skills, but also implies a person's readiness to perform actions in accordance with his competencies. This is an opportunity to learn, acquire new skills, expand the professional trajectory, "says E.V. Karavaeva. She gave an example of the Western model of the educational process, where there was a shift from professional standards to lifelong learning. According to the speaker, this issue requires a matrix approach, which is proposed by the created model. It includes 12 competencies and 4 levels of development. In the near future, an educational resource will be formed, where it will be possible to get acquainted with the functionality of the mechanism in open access.

A report on strategies for supporting young scientists at Saratov University was presented by the rector of SSU Aleksei Chumachenko.

“We have been using the term“ young scientist ”very often and for a long time, but only recently it was decided to consolidate his status at the legislative level. This was discussed at a working meeting between Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Nikolayevich Falkov. The idea was supported by the head of state, which confirms how important young researchers are for our country and the development of science, ”Aleksey Nikolayevich is sure.

An important component of the scientific sphere, according to him, is the availability of qualified personnel. In recent years, the influx of young scientists into science has decreased by 20%, in addition, the problem of "brain drain" remains acute. Among the reasons for this trend, the rector named the low level of material and technical equipment and remuneration for scientific work, weak mobility, limited career opportunities.

The rector introduced the session participants to the main directions of scientific activity at the university and measures to support young scientists. So, in recent years, the material and technical base of the university has been significantly improved, four new laboratories of the international level have been created, interaction with funds such as FPI, RSF, RFBR on internships, grants and joint conferences is being carried out. SSU employs scientists whose breakthrough discoveries in the field of biomedicine and nanotechnology are widely known in the world scientific community.

“We are proud of our young researchers and try to create decent conditions for fruitful work and scientific results,” A.N. Chumachenko.

During the two days of the session, master classes, expert discussions, specialized digital sections and a scientific stand-up are planned. Speakers, moderators and experts will be the leading scientists of educational and scientific organizations of the Volga Federal District, the Coordination Council, the winners of the All-Russian competition of managers "Leaders of Russia" (specialization "Science") in 2020, experts of the Association of Classical Universities of Russia, young scientists - members of the Coordination Council for Youth Affairs in scientific and educational spheres of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for Science and Education.

More details about the program can be found on the event page of our website.