How does the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine celebrate its 103rd anniversary, which is November 27? Its President tells the Svit newspaper about it.
– Throughout its history, the Academy has always united the best Ukrainian scientists, and there are many world-level results in the treasury of its achievements!
Today, the success of our scientists involved in the preparation and implementation of experiments on the Large Hadron Collider is an indisputable confirmation of this conclusion. Thanks to fruitful international cooperation, scientists from Ukraine have become involved in a number of outstanding world achievements. Thus, the recent discovery of a new quasi-particle Odderon took place with the participation of Ukrainian physicists. This discovery is basic for understanding fundamental interactions.
The launch of the nuclear subcritical installation “Source of Neutrons”, built at the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology with participation of the Argonne National Laboratory (USA), opens up new opportunities for international cooperation and obtaining outstanding fundamental results. This is a unique innovative installation, which has no technical analogues in the world today. Industrial use of such equipment will completely eliminate nuclear accidents, it allows to burn a wide range of radioactive elements and make nuclear energy safer and more environmentally friendly.
The main task of the Academy has always been the comprehensive development of basic research and it remains the same. However, the permanent focus on solving current practical problems is also the important feature of our activity. Thus, our scientists developed reliable PCR test systems for the diagnosis of particularly dangerous viral infections, and combined test systems involved in monitoring the emergence of new strains of coronavirus in Ukraine, they found substances that can affect the pathogenetic chains of coronavirus disease and prevent acute lung inflammation. The scientists look for new medicines, develop national vaccines against coronavirus infection, investigate the causes of post-covid cognitive impairments and ways to treat them.
The National Academy of Sciences intensifies cooperation with leading national and foreign education institutions, large enterprises and international partners. The range of its activities is extremely wide, and each of them is important for the formation and development of our State.
Starting a new page in its history, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine continues to improve its internal life and activities in accordance with the requirements of the time. I am sure that this year Academy’s worthful entrants will contribute to its progress. 30 members and 73 corresponding members were elected, as well as 27 foreign members of our Academy. All of them are leading experts in their spheres, they were rigorously selected and widely discussed in scientific circles. The newly elected members work not only in the institutes of our Academy, but also in higher education institutions, sectorial research and scientific-technical institutions of different regions of Ukraine. The average age of elected candidates significantly decreased. It is nice to note that there are 14 women among the selected persons. This is much more than it was in any previous election during all the existence of the Academy.
The ideas about reformation of the Academy’s activities and development are concentrated in the Concept of Development of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for 2021-2025, approved this summer. They are focused on the high level of research, solution of actual scientific and technological problems, high quality innovation, integration into the global, especially European research space, improvement of the structure and management system, development of research infrastructure, efficient use of budget funds, consolidation of the property complex and its effective use. We set many tasks for ourselves. Each of them has specific ways to its achievement, deadlines and goals that we strive to achieve. Among the important tasks is the acquisition of a high level of communication with society and the promotion of scientific activity.
I am convinced that in the coming decades the Academy will always be ready to respond to any challenges facing the scientific community, enrich its achievements, and work increasingly more successfully for the benefit of our people and State.