OREANDA-NEWS. July 05, 2011. “I believe there are all the necessary conditions to start building world-class research facilities in Russia, megaclass research installations that would be similar in size to the world-renowned Large Hadron Collider, in order to obtain results worthy of the Nobel prize.”


Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s opening address:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

Today, at the session of the Government Commission on High Technology and Innovation, we will focus on the development of research infrastructure, namely, building state-of-the art research facilities, also known as mega science installations, which we must have if we want to reach new levels in fundamental science.

We should also realise that good infrastructure is a prerequisite for the competitiveness of Russian science and its ability to act as an equal partner in carrying out breakthrough international programmes, so that Russian and top foreign specialists will come to Russia in order to implement their ideas.

Let me remind you that we discussed the building of new nuclear physics research installations in January 2010. Today, we will review their progress.

We are investing substantial resources in the development of Russian science. To give you an example, the financing of civilian research almost tripled over the past six years. In 2006, we allocated 77 billion roubles from the federal budget for civilian research and development, while in 2011 this figure was 230 billion roubles. That’s a significant increase.

The support of research conducted at institutions of higher education and the strengthening of scientific schools at the leading Russian universities is a very important area of work. We have budgeted an additional 40 billion roubles to this end.

The Kurchatov Institute launched the first pilot project in Russia to establish a national research centre. In addition to the current financing scheduled for 2010–2012, we have allocated 10 billion roubles for its development.

Today, Russian researchers are participating in four international megaprojects: the Large Hadron Collider operated by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research; the thermonuclear reactor in France (ITER); the European x-ray free electron laser; and the heavy ion accelerator in Germany. Russia contributes both intellectually and financially to international research.

We have extensive and positive experience in international scientific cooperation, including our work at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, where we are having our session today. Institute officials and lab heads told me about their joint work with foreign researchers, and I was impressed.

I believe there are all the necessary conditions to start building world-class research facilities in Russia, also referred to by professionals as megaclass research installations as I mentioned before – ones that would be similar in size to the world-renowned Large Hadron Collider, in order to obtain results worthy of the Nobel prize. We can do it here. To be sure, Russia is an incontestable leader in certain areas of research. In terms of its size, such a project can be comparable to space and nuclear research programmes that have been implemented in Russia in the past.

Why is this so important today? First, projects of such magnitude are not only about the prestige of a nation. They help focus resources on priority areas, and in fact, to make breakthroughs, first in fundamental science and then in technology.

Second. As we know from other countries’ experiences, megaprojects tend to become central points that give rise to research clusters emerging around them, a fully-fledged innovative infrastructure that is capable of transforming fundamental knowledge into new technology and innovative products, thus bringing research results to the market. For example, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research led to huge advances in cryogenic technology. Here, in Dubna, they are building Beta, an enterprise engaged in manufacturing medical equipment, including blood purifiers with nuclear filters developed by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

Third. Such megaprojects also help us deal with crucial staffing problems. Given current mobility levels in science, it makes almost no sense to use administrative measures to fight the brain drain. The only surefire approach is to make Russia appealing to both Russian and foreign researchers, so that they can come here to fulfill their potential, and talented and promising young researchers could make a name for themselves here in Russia and do so using the most modern and unique equipment.

Finally, fourth. Research megaprojects encourage territorial development, expand high-tech and science-intensive production facilities and attract investment. Most importantly, they facilitate the introduction of modern management techniques and international cooperation in the research sphere.