Andrey Polunin
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The building of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) (Photo: Sergey Bobylev/TASS)
On Saturday, August 20, it became known that the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation can be divided into two departments. About it reported mass media with reference to sources in the scientific-educational sphere.
A day earlier, President Vladimir Putin dismissed the head of the Ministry of education and science Dmitry Livanov, who held the post since 2012. The new head of Department appointed Deputy head of the presidential administration on public projects Olga Vasilyeva.
According to information published on the Internet, Vasilyev will head the Agency in charge of schools and universities. The second Department will deal with issues of science.
According to reports, the issue of division of the Ministry arose in 2012, during the resignation of the then head of the Ministry of education and science Andrei Fursenko in connection with the change of the Cabinet. “Now, with the appointment of Olga Vasilyeva is Dmitry Livanov, this division suggests,” said one of the officials.
Recall that the main claim to Livanov from the scientific community was initiated in 2013, the reform of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). According to its results, control over property of the Academy received the Federal Agency of scientific organizations (FANO).
The confrontation between scientists and bureaucrats has reached the point that in July, more than 100 academicians and corresponding members of the RAS and professors wrote an open letter to Putin. In it they pointed out that “the last three years of reform of fundamental science in Russia has not brought any positive results”.
“We are on the verge of final disposition of a competitive scientific field — one of the traditional pillars of Russian statehood,” — said in the letter.
According to scientists, the RAS reform Livanov has largely lost the ability to influence the management of the science, and FANO, who received all authority, it does not have sufficient competence.”
In the letter to Putin, the researchers offered subordinate FANO Russian Academy of Sciences, this organization was responsible only for economic issues. In addition, they proposed the withdrawal of academia from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of education and science.
And now, it seems that the situation is developing in this direction. It is no coincidence that last Friday the head of the RAS Vladimir Fortov said that the experience of Olga Vasilyeva, the PA will help to settle the long-lasting conflict: “ran forward to a constructive dialogue and work for a common goal, which did not exist”.
What impact will changes in the Russian science, whether they will help restore the former potential injuries?
— Scientists have long advocated that science was ruled by a separate Department, like the Deputy of the state Duma, doctor of physico-mathematical Sciences, academician Boris Kashin. — It would be wise to transfer to such Department certain functions of the FANO — in particular, return of the RAS the ability to manage the work of research institutes. Ultimately, the government needs to stop fighting with science, and began to support it.
Notice that in Soviet times the state policy in the field of scientific and technical activities conducted by the State Committee of USSR Council of Ministers on science and technology (SCST). At its head was the academician, who simultaneously held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers. In other words, it was a man who understood in science and in public administration. It would be nice to revive this scheme today.
“SP”: — This reform could revive scientific potential of Russia?
— Reorganization of the Ministry of education is certainly useful, but, in my opinion, the key problems will not solve. Chief among them remains the lack of demand of science and results of scientific work. In a time when the domestic industry is in many areas almost stopped, scientific research is useless.
In addition, the Russian science for a long time chronically under-funded. As you know, the priority for the current Cabinet — the execution of the may decrees of the President. This goal is achieved by reducing the funding of any “side” branches of science included in their number.
Finally, the problem is the catastrophic decline of academic status. Today, the scientific staff is dependent on the administration not only in universities, but even in academic institutions, although worldwide it is not.
And only on the fourth place in importance, I believe, is the problem of management science and the problem of the reorganization of the Ministry. Here, I note the reticence of the system on one person — the President of the Russian Federation — is a destabilizing factor. For it is enough to sign one paper in the administration of the head of state and rules of the game to the scientific world of Russia can be permanently changed.
“SP”: — Justify whether Olga Vasilyeva hopes of academician Fortov to constructive cooperation?
Worse than it was under Labor, will not be exact. Dmitry Viktorovich, in my opinion, disorganized domestic science with quite unnecessary zeal.
I think the government realized that at least science, which serves the defense industry, Russia is definitely necessary. But, in my opinion, top management today is not fully aware of the possibilities of science and the difficulty in creating new research groups and schools. The ease with which, in 2013, officials have tried to eliminate the country basic science — proof. And the danger that this approach will continue, I believe, is still not resolved…
— Science in Russia destroyed long ago, but this became especially evident when the Minister of education was appointed Dmitry Livanov, says academician Yuri Ryzhov. — Since the Soviet Union coordinator of the activities of RAS, and earner of funds for the affiliated research Institute, was organized by the Presidium of the Academy. But Livanov and his Department gave RAS a unique organization — FANO. According to the official version, it was done to save scientists from economic problems. In fact, this solution allowed officials to gain control over the vast property of the Academy — buildings, premises and land plots throughout the country.
FANO very quickly put scientists from previously held offices. But most important, officials began to decide which of the institutes of the Academy in what direction of research to do. This was done without any scientific examination, willful decision of the people, whose professionalism even as administrators raised questions.
In addition, when Labor officials made genuine the dominance of bureaucracy. I am a former rector of the Moscow aviation Institute (MAI) and the present head of one of its departments. I personally saw suddenly came a stream of meaningless questionnaires and forms that need to be filled. The Department was literally no time to teach. In one of these securities, for example, was required to indicate how many scientific discoveries will be made next year. It was like theater of the absurd. A similar picture could be observed in other academic institutions.
Significantly degraded during Labor and secondary education — this can be seen on the applicants that come in the MAI.
“SP”: — the Change of Minister of education and the division office will change the situation for the better?
In my opinion, the current situation is clearly illustrated by the anecdote of Soviet times. Asked the plumber. He looked at his pipe, and pointedly said, the system needs to be changed. We also need to change the system. Otherwise it will not work: we have passed too many points of no return…
— Livanov lost his post not because of pressure from the scientific community, — said the political scientist, Director of Institute of political researches Sergey Markov. — The dissatisfaction of scientists played a role, but it was not a major…
It is necessary to understand from the electoral point of view, not science, and that education is a Central part, and high school. Millions of employees included in education and not in science. And if we add to them the tens of millions of students, their parents and relatives, it turns out that the problems of education concern the vast majority of Russian voters.
That is the criticism of education was essential when removing Livanov. And it is in this area should now expect change. This is indicated by the fact that the ideology of the new Minister Olga Vasilyeva clearly Patriotic, in contrast to Western liberal ideology Livanov.
It is important for education, which gives the concept of understanding reality, of understanding their place in the world. For the Humanities, forming the personality and citizen ideology matters. A science — almost no.
There is another important point. Russian scientists didn’t like not specifically the Minister of Livanov, and FANO — in fact, the power of managers over scientists. But will it be soon corrected this power is an open question. I’d say rather no than Yes.
In my opinion, the inadequacy of the education reform is much brighter and clearer than in science. And to be convinced of the inadequacy of the caretaker government, will take another few years…
