Thursday, October 24, 2013

All sick of Fano - BBC

Agency research organizations will be responsible not only for the Russian Academy of Sciences, but also for all the scientific organizations in Russia, said Deputy Education Minister Lyudmila Ogorodova. However, on the question of whether the agency to submit Kurchatov Institute, she could not answer. In the position of the agency, which will be submitted to the government, “little left” on the version made at the public discussion.

in Moscow, in the building of the Ministry of Education in Bryusov Lane, a meeting of the “round table” dedicated to the discussion of models of organization of science in Russia. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sciences, as well as prominent Russian scientists, including Valery Rubakov, Alexander Kuleshov and Sergei Stishov. Meeting was chaired by Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice-Rector of Moscow State University, Head of the Board on Science Education Ministry Alexei Khokhlov, who expressed the hope that similar events will be held at least once in a month or two, “Let’s try a more or less regular basis, such” round tables “- just for the mutual exchange of information and discussion of positions ».

The position of the scientific agency will be given to the government, without waiting for the discussion of

«Do not remain any academy or scientist»

Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets did not wait when scientists will discuss the status of the Agency research organizations, and demanded on Wednesday to pass it … ?

Khokhlov began his speech with the following statement: “The main result of the law: scientific institutions transferred to the Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations (Fano), Russian Academy of Sciences – is a different organization. No matter how it was unpleasant as it may conflict with the ideas of someone else, but we must face the truth. Can I, as a messenger bringing bad news, to execute, but this fact will not change ».

In his speech, Vice-Rector of Moscow State University repeated representations about the agency set out to them at the end of September at the joint meeting of the Council for Science and the Public Council under the Ministry of Education. One of the major provisions – the creation of a Fano Scientific Coordination Council – “body that provides feedback and control from the scientific community, it must be a body inside Fano formed of scientists conducting research at an advanced level».

The first and foremost requirement of Fano, according to Khokhlova, is to ensure the normal operation of the institutions under the old model. “We need continuity and gradual reforms at all,” – said the scientist.

Khokhlov also reminded of the need to assess the effectiveness of scientific institutions and the need for participation of foreign experts. “And the next question (do not want it to bypass: on this occasion was a criticism) – it is the problem of increasing salaries of scientists and related problem of reducing their number, – continued the academician. – This follows from the May presidential decrees. Wage increases – this is a political decision, but must be found reasonable arrangements for its implementation. Salary should not be miserable if you do science. Scientists should be a decent salary ».

reminded about the model by reductions proposed in September , Khokhlov said: “If someone can suggest a better model – please! This is the discussion ».

Reform of the Russian Academy of Sciences is entering a crucial phase: the beginning public discussion about the position of the agency, which may eventually become the Ministry of Science

«Congratulations to you, comrades, with the creation of the Ministry of Science»

draft resolution on the agency that will manage the assets of Russian Academy of Sciences, submitted for public discussion: as long as the document contains a number of ambiguities and … ?

concluded his speech by Academician of the slide with the following statement: “With the reform of the RAS may occur certain” atomization “of the Russian scientific community: the need integrators, Russian Academy of Sciences, an organization of scientists (ONR, the commission on public control of the progress of reform), trade unions, etc. forth. ” Khokhlov has commented on this slide as follows: “The trade unions have criticized, and we praise them! Throughout the world, trade unions care about employees, regardless of the effectiveness of their work. And the union is right to criticize us, we are happy about it, but we have another problem. We believe that the best way to develop the Russian science ».

Academician Valery Rubakov asked Khokhlova clarified what he meant by the pronoun “we.” “We – two council at the Ministry of Education” – was the answer.

most recent news about the work of building Fano introduced the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Lyudmila Ogorodova. But it started with the speech cues that such “round tables” hardly makes sense to often: “I think this is a very good initiative to organize the site so as not to give the characteristics of the Internet in absentia and not to read the newspapers incorrect information. Every opinion, every position should be voiced in the media so that respect for ourselves persisted.

I support this initiative, but it seems to me that once a month or twice a month – is ineffective, the main thing – that it was not just talk, but real steps, even if it be only two or three events per year ».

«For the first time in the reform process of the RAS I came from the State Duma – the beginning of a story about the current situation with Ogorodova Fano, who was first appointed to the post of Deputy Minister of Education and Science, was a member of the faction” United Russia “in the State Duma. – I saw the terrible conflict in which the constructive process was worse than a negative process. When we got down to work on the Status of Fano, the degree to fall – there was a second wave, and new conflicts. The first thing you need to do – to go to the dialogue. We went out for a dialogue with the Russian Academy of Sciences, came to the dialogue to organize a “round table”. We need constructive suggestions. Everyone has a right to his position, but it is important to be in dialogue ».

then Ogorodova outlined the situation to the situation of Fano at the meeting, which took place yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets. “Changed the name of the document. Originally, this provision applies only to the institutions of the Academy of Sciences.

There are scientific organizations all over Russia. And the role of the RAS in the law spelled out more broadly coordination fundmentalno retrieval research in the country, “- said the deputy minister.

«The second feature: it is quite right, those who spoke about the risk that the management agency can lead to loss of sutevoy as it relates to research and scientific and technical program of the country – continued Ogorodova. – The fact that the government brought in today – coordination of the RAS is indicated for items such as goszadaniya, priorities, assessment of the effectiveness of organizations and the opening of the reorganization and liquidation of institutions ».

Another important point is that the agency will present a collective body – Research Coordination Council. But immediately Ogorodova added that the preliminary information: “We still do not have on hand the document. Prime obliges the head of the agency to create the NCC to determine its composition and its role. In connection with this decision, Russian Academy of Sciences and other scientific organizations are able to regulate the organization of scientific work in the country ».

Ogorodova noted that prior to January 1, all organizations working in the same mode: mode remains, personal accounts remain. Work on the creation of new bodies and new management activity begins today. “As for the Russian Academy of Sciences, you continue to function,” – Ogorodova made a statement that caused some noise in the room: at least half of the participants of the “round table” laughed bitterly, but could not do it quietly.

Later it turned out that during 2014 is unlikely that anything should change dramatically in the organization and management structure of academic units. This Ogorodova said in answer to the question of Academician Sergei Stishova who formulated it this way: “I’ve just arrived from the Central Clinical Hospital. What is the treatment there after 2013? “Deputy Minister explained that the organization is now moved to the agency, and during 2014 will operate a moratorium, suggesting that the rearrangement, reduction, and other similar procedures will begin immediately, and for 2014 will be prepare. “Your questions ahead of time, but they are certainly very important,” – said Ogorodova. At this Stishov noted that of the Institute of High Pressure Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, which he heads, has resigned three young employee.

Earlier discussions about CDB Ogorodova answered the other questions of the participants. All of them were associated with the provision of Fano.

– now runs a public discussion of the draft terms of Fano. It ends on the 26th. Will take into account the comments and suggestions received during the debate? – a question asked Vyacheslav Vdovin, leading researcher IAP RAS (Nizhny Novgorod), the former chairman of the trade union of Sciences.
– There were five meetings of the working group on development of the provisions of Fano, where representatives from academia, the Ministry, the State Duma and the Federation Council. As a result of work we received and discussed a number of proposals – the total number exceeds 150.

From the wording of provisions that brought up for discussion, there is nothing left – said Ogorodova.

– A Kurchatov Institute, too, there will come in and will be subject to Fano? – said Sergey Stishov.
– I can not yet talk about it, because I do not know. So far only changed the name of the position.

– A registered to the goals, objectives and, most importantly, the responsibility of Fano? – asked the reporter “Gazety.Ru».
– I am not a leader of Fano. That would be a leader – and he will respond.

– Well, in the current version of the situation is all spelled out? And the responsibility?
– spelled out – replied, thinking Ogorodova.

last question that was asked the deputy minister, was: “Do you know who is the leader of Fano and when is it used for?” In response Ogorodova said: “What do you mean, all Fano sick, or what? I do not know! »

Dmitry Livanov discussed the reform of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and scientists promised to take their suggestions on the implementation of the law

«It is important that the system is not broken right»

Dmitry Livanov discussed the reform of the Russian Academy of Sciences by scientists and listened to their suggestions for its implementation, most of which should be continuity in the performance … ?

Then the participants of the “round table” statements were made replicas. Vyacheslav Vdovin showed a presentation that said that in the RAS there are different models of the organization of institutions, from large FIAN (Lebedev Physical Institute of the Academy of Sciences), and quite independent of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Karachay-Cherkessia, to very fine regional institution (in An example was given, there are 30 employees Institute of Physics of Molecules and Crystals, Ufa Scientific Center, RAS). In this Vdovin spoke negatively about the problem posed by Vladimir Putin researchers salary increase to a level twice that of the average for their region, explaining that, “for example, the staff of SAO, who live in Karachay-Cherkessia, where some shepherds who take all kind, this figure has already surpassed ».

basis of performance Vdovin was the story of a successful institution in which he works – the Institute of Applied Physics in Nizhny Novgorod: the average age of researchers in it – 46 years, 232 grant RFBR megagranta own three, six megagrantov universities in Nizhny Novgorod (complicity ) and 300-400 articles per year, of which 200 foreign journals. Some theses Vdovin said in a recent interview, “the Newspaper» , where mentioned as the reform of the RAS has affected his institution. Vdovin conclusion was the fact that this institution does not require any external audit or assist in the organization of property management institute. “In the Russian Academy of Sciences, there are many effective and successful institution, is a well-off model of the existence of science in Russia.

initiated reforms in no way take into account the presence of this positive experience.

Subjects reform, unfortunately, does not take into account the suggestions of successfully functioning and recognized in the world of the Russian scientific community. In case of failure of the reforms – and first of all the problems that will face these successful institutions – the responsibility lies entirely on the reformers of science “- said Vdovin, suggesting the end of the heads of the Ministry of Education and Fano to go to college in Grozny and walk through the mountains in the SAO to better understand the situation.

After Ogorodova was forced to go to a meeting at the Ministry, “round table” continued. Sharply put the director of the Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Alexander Kuleshov: “And what good did the Ministry of Education, except for charitable affairs, for which he was fired Fedyukin? – Asked the scientist. – Is it possible that the Research Coordination Council of the Agency will be set up document of the third level, that is, no one to listen to him will not. Then talk about efficiency, audit … I think that the very policies for atomization, for the transformation of the former Soviet science in the science lab, a peripheral, – something terribly harmful. We rockets and satellites falling do not work because they do not solve the problem of radiation safety ».

astronomer Yuri Kovalev, head of the scientific program of the satellite “Radioastron” single domestic space of a successful project in recent years, also said that about Research Coordination Council while it is not clear: whether it is just scenery or he will be entitled to a deliberative vote ? Kovalev said that within the community there are serious contradictions, calling a single moment, with whom he did not personally agree – that the internal audit – it is right, and it should continue: “I can not agree with this: no one has repealed the issue of conflict of interest . As the academic council and the institute will be themselves, loved ones, to evaluate?

To avoid conflict of interest, it is necessary to carry out the external audit committees, and it would be with the use of international experience ».

Sergei Stishov drew attention to the fact that so far nobody has clear goals of reform. “Who is it all necessary? If someone had explained it would be great. Now science in Russia is just barely on the edge of (to illustrate these words academician put the bottle of water on the edge of the table ) – sufficiently small perturbation, and it will fall. We do not have young, science ends. And we’re venturing overhaul. You, mathematicians, and can normally with young, you do not need much paper – and work on health – said Stishov objected to the phrase about the absence of young workers representative of mathematical science. – I’m talking about an experimental science. In general, no matter what we say – better not be, this we know. My Lord, do not have any illusions build. Nothing good will in the near future will not work, even if something goes through the years. The agency, which manages and agriculture, and medicine, and the whole of science – it’s a madhouse! What’s behind the genius sits at the head of the agency? I would like to see it ».

Summed up

meeting was called his Alexei Khokhlov.

«It is necessary that the researcher could rent an apartment, so he had a good salary.

Now in Russian science huge number of employees, everyone gets a tiny base salary – a potential bottom. Should I ask some vectors to get out of this situation – said vice-rector of Moscow State University, Head of the Board on Science Education Ministry. – Wage increases and the introduction of temporary rates, such as postdoctoral fellows program, which will soon launch the Ministry of Education – is the path that will gradually change the situation. It is necessary to objectively assess the situation and try to find a reasonable solution. What is on offer – it is a certain way. You have to think how the political authorities’ decision to increase the salaries of academic staff to make reasonable arrangements. If you do not offer anything and never will. We must offer reasonable. As for the audit is sure: if Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a normal audit, and would make a normal rating institutions, there would be events that we are discussing. Why was it necessary to refer all the institutions of the RAS in the top category? It was a mockery of common sense. Needless to say, everything was so good, that nothing should be changed. We need to fight for that Fano listened to the voice of the scientific community. We are for it and we will be pushing to the limits of possibilities – they have a small, but some have ».

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