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Poltavchenko, Alfyorov urge PM to give Pete centre regional division status

During the visit, the St Petersburg governors talked with scientist and professors

ST PETERSBURG, February 18 (Itar-Tass) — St Petersburg governor Georgy Poltavchenko and rector of St Petersburg University, Academician Zhores Alfyorov have signed an address to the Russian prime minister to give the St Petersburg Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Science a status of regional division.

Academician Alfyorov, who is chairman of the St Petersburg Scientific Centre, has raised the question of creating a regional division of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St Petersburg by the example of the Siberian, Far Eastern and Ural branches. He stressed that if this initiative was supported, ambitious tasks would be set. “We will set the task before the academician community of the Northern capital and scientists working in difficult fields to create critical technologies and innovation materials that can compete on world markets,” the Academician added.

In compliance with the historical status and the tasks the Russian Academy of Sciences is built on the scientific, sectoral and territorial principles. The Academy has 11 divisions in fields of science, three regional divisions and 15 regional scientific centres, including the St Petersburg one.

During the visit, the St Petersburg governors talked with scientist and professors. Poltavchenko and Alfyorov discussed measures to use the university’s development in the Russian industry and further prospects for its development.

At present, over 400 schoolchildren, students and postgraduates study at the university. Among professors of the university are three academicians, five corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, three honoured masters of sciences, three honoured teachers, 47 doctors of sciences. The university has been given a category, “National Research University”.

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