On 22 January, Acting Rector of Tomsk Polytechnic University A. A. Yakovlev and representatives of the Competence Centre of Technologies of New and Mobile Energy Sources of the National Technological Initiative (CC NTI) based at the Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics of RAS in Chernogolovka visited JINR. JINR Director G. V. Trubnikov welcomed the delegation. The guests visited the Laboratory of High Energy Physics where they were introduced to the NICA complex construction, visited the Laboratory of Information Technologies, met with leading researchers and specialists of the Institute. UC Director S. Z. Pakuliak and A. S. Zhemchugov presented the main development fields of the Institute’s educational programme.

At the end of the visit, guests shared their impressions, evaluated prospects for cooperation with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

Professor A. A. Yakovlev, “We have planned this meeting together with heads of the Institute as far as Dubna is a city that is considered a driver of modern science, both in Russia and in the world. Of course, Tomsk Polytechnic University is interested in the cooperation enhancement with such international scientific centre… When we were exploring the Institute’s history, I was told that in 1957 there was the most powerful electronic computer in the USSR while our “Sirius” became the most powerful USSR computer in 1960…So, in this respect, our University has its own history, own directions, and trains highly qualified specialists. So, we can complement each other and work on joint goals in the frames of the country’s development. This is the first thing to say…

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Secondly, I would like to note the development of joint research in related sciences engaging the most talented specialists, including the young ones. Thus, we will be able to establish collaborations and work in partnership. It is the second aim of the meeting.

The third thing is the most significant, it relates to the development of the new Russian economy, of course. It includes the emerging hydrogen mode in terms of energy, liquefaction, work with low temperatures, membrane cleaning technologies… And our Tomsk Polytechnic University is an open integrating platform for interaction of students, professors, researchers, businessmen, government representatives for sustainable and safe development of society. This is why we are here with the Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, as far as their aims and tasks also focus on openness and solving of such strategic tasks. This includes education, science, technologies, and, of course, it is not a coincidence that we met with representatives of your Institute in this membership.”

“What did you find particularly surprising, impressing in Dubna? What did surprise you the most today?”

“I would say “pleased”. We were pleased to see the development dynamics, objects under construction, the launch of new facilities, we were feeling in our conversations with your employees their focus on the future. They consider the past as the foundation for the present, as the groundwork for new breakthroughs in the future. So, it cannot but brings joy.”

“Could you please name any specific results of your today’s visit?”

“Although we have not signed any papers today, the most important thing, in my opinion, is that we have found particular contact points, and I have understood that we have common values. Any problem can be solved together: the interaction issues, in conditions of remoteness, and in terms of logistics. All these so-called problems can be resolved. When I came here, I was convinced that openness, mutual respect, scientific accuracy, thirst for knowledge unite us like nothing else. It is crucial for our partnership.

I am sure that we will succeed in everything. No doubts. It is only a matter of time.”

Professor Yu. A. Dobrovolsky, Head of the Competence Centre, Head of the Group of Special Materials of the Department of Functional Materials for Chemical Energy Sources IPCP RAS,

“As far as Andrey has very clearly outlined the aims of our visit, I will only add some words about those simple tasks that I think it is important to solve now, today, in the near future. Starting from the educational process: the creation of a new basis for new science and for new cities. I imagine Chernogolovka in this regard. It is already a science city. It means the creation of educational basis on a common platform, training of students, as far as we understand problems, we have teaching and scientific staff…

The second part is purely scientific. I would like to continue its discussion because the world shifts to a new energy system, and this is a rare case when Russia is trying to keep up and not to remain a gas, oil, mineral resources supplier. The country tries instead to introduce its technologies and understand what to do with it. Of course, we have come to one of the leading scientific centres with its own history and own huge competences.

Mayor of Chernogolovka Oleg Egorov is here with us today. I believe that he had quite a fruitful conversation with Mayor of Dubna Sergey Kulikov. We have long thought about the fact that science in science cities should be useful for the city economy as well. Moreover, we have come here today because a consortium on hydrogen energy has been created on the basis of Tomsk Polytechnic University, and we are trying to build sites demonstrating this topic in Tomsk. We would like to attract a large audience, as more partners as possible.”

Evgeny Molchanov, JINR Weekly Newspaper
Photos by Igor Lapenko