"Faces of Science" exposition was opened at SPIEF

The "Faces of Science" exposition, a gallery of portraits of 24 leading Russian scientists, engineers, high-tech innovators and laureates of the Presidential Prize of the Russian Federation in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists for 2023, has opened at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

The exposition was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Secretary of the Coordination Committee for the Decade of Science and Technology Denis Sekirinsky, Chairman of the Coordination Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education under the President of the Russian Federation Nikita Marchenkov, as well as project heroes — Head of the Gene Immunooncology Therapy Group at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Deputy Director for Science at the Moscow Center for Innovative Technologies in Healthcare Irina Alekseenko, and Director General of SIBUR PolyLab Konstantin Vernigorov.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the importance of projects like "Faces of Science" in achieving the goals of the Decade of Science and Technology.

"The Decade of Science and Technology is indeed a very significant event. Over 30 million people have already participated in it. We see that the tremendous interest shown by the citizens of our country in science is due to the coordinated actions aimed at popularizing undeniable achievements, primarily those made by young scientists. Our future is being shaped by them. The head of state has repeatedly stated that our main task now is to provide opportunities for the self-realization of talents. The exposition showcases vivid examples of how these opportunities have been realized in concrete scientific discoveries and projects. Our scientific stars and young rising stars will serve as examples for thousands of boys and girls who will want to link their fate with science," emphasized Dmitry Chernyshenko.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the effectiveness of the Decade of Science and Technology is evidenced by research figures: 65% of surveyed parents would like their children to associate their future with Russian science. He also emphasized that the attitude of Russian business towards science is changing.

"The share of business in scientific research is growing. Currently, its contribution to science amounts to about 200 billion rubles per year. I am very grateful to our business sector, which is betting on Russian science, and to the partner companies that have supported this wonderful exposition for the third time," noted Dmitry Chernyshenko. 

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Denis Sekirinsky highlighted a distinctive feature of the third "Faces of Science" exposition: "In May, an updated decree of the President of the Russian Federation on national development goals was issued. The most important aspect of the document is the need to quickly obtain practical results that science can provide. In this sense, it is notable that business participation in the development of innovations is increasing, with business acting as a qualified customer. The heroes of the exposition are those people who can ensure that laboratory results quickly become industrial ones. Our heroes include representatives of fundamental science, applied research, engineering developments, and companies engaged in serial production. It is very important that such a synergy of business and science is presented precisely at SPIEF."

Photo: provided by the RUSSIA EXPO press office

Denis Sekirinsky informed that by the end of the year, the exposition will be featured at the International RUSSIA EXPO, the IV Congress of Young Scientists, and in public spaces in Moscow and other Russian cities. The deputy minister discussed plans for the fourth Congress of Young Scientists, which is expected to be even more extensive as it will be held in conjunction with the BRICS Young Scientists Forum in November 2024. Denis Sekirinsky also announced the launch of new projects and initiatives at the Congress within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology.

"The 'Faces of Science' project emerged a few years ago and was, to some extent, initiated by the youth. I remember when we first presented it on Russian Science Day in the very center of Moscow, at GUM. This is important because we were able to show that science is not some isolated realm where people do something incomprehensible in their laboratories. Our heroes are truly stars of society who design the future. This is a task being addressed within the Decade of Science and Technology, and it is important for the scientists themselves — they are glad that the profession of a scientist is becoming important and in demand," said Nikita Marchenkov, Chairman of the Coordination Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education under the President of the Russian Federation.

The partner of the "Faces of Science" exposition is the SIBUR company. 

"The largest companies in Russia are actively developing their scientific departments, investing in innovative developments, and collaborating with universities and scientific organizations. Through the combined efforts of the state, science, and business, innovations are strengthening the country's technological sovereignty today. Projects like the 'Faces of Science' exposition allow us to rightfully bring to the forefront and set as examples the true heroes — talented Russian scientists from various fields who daily contribute to the creation and development of domestic technologies," commented Mikhail Karisalov, Chairman of the Board and CEO of SIBUR.

The "Faces of Science" exposition is part of the "Science Nearby" initiative of the Decade of Science and Technology, announced by a Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, and is conducted with grant support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The exposition is supported by the Roscongress Foundation and the Coordination Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education under the President of the Russian Federation. 

Information about the project heroes is available on the Decade of Science and Technology website: https://наука.рф.