Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valentin Ananikov made a working visit to KBSU

On October 10, 2022, on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the university, Kabardino-Balkarian State University was visited by an outstanding scientist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, member of the European Academy, head of the laboratory of the Institute of Organic Chemistry named after N.D. Zelinsky, Doctor of Chemical Sciences Valentin Ananikov. The area of ​​scientific interests of the scientist is the issues of molecular complexity and transformation, complexes of metals and nanoparticles, the creation of a new generation of highly active nanoscale and molecular catalysts, the study of the mechanisms of chemical reactions by experimental and theoretical methods. About the purpose of the visit to KBSU, the academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences said:

“This is my first visit to Nalchik, to the Kabardino-Balkarian State University, and I make it with great pleasure. Today, it is planned to discuss the possibility of joint cooperation between KBSU and the Institute of Organic Chemistry, which I represent, in the field of materials science, nanotechnology, chemical technology, additive manufacturing.”

After visiting the Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies of KBSU, headed by acting. Vice-Rector for Research Activities of KBSU Svetlana Hashirova, Valentin Ananikov shared his impressions of getting to know the laboratories and technological sites of the university:

“I can say with confidence that KBSU has the most modern technological level in the field of polymer chemistry, and this is one of the most advanced centers that exists in our country. I congratulate KBSU on the fact that this center is successfully functioning. There are research and production laboratories where various scientific researches, polymer synthesis, production of polymer threads and products from polymer materials are carried out, and there are also areas for the application of these products for the vital areas of our country. I am very glad that the university appreciated these projects. The laboratory complex itself is also impressive. It will be a pleasure to work in such a room. I am sure that young employees also appreciated the efforts of the university management, which they made in order to create this high-tech cluster, which the university can rightfully be proud of. I am very pleased with my visit, I look forward to our joint cooperation with great hope. I would like to wish you success in the scientific direction headed by Svetlana Yuryevna.”

Then a meeting took place between Valentin Ananikov and rector of KBSU Yury Altudov, which resulted in the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Institute of Organic Chemistry named after N. D. Zelinsky and Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov in the field of educational, methodological, scientific, personnel and information support for vocational education, as well as research and innovation activities. And about. Rector of KBSU Professor Yuri Altudov thanked Valentin Ananikov for the visit and expressed hope for the productivity of cooperation between KBSU and the Institute of Organic Chemistry. N. D. Zelinsky:

“The most important tasks that we face today are the development of technologies for their rapid inclusion in the subjects, as well as the issue of industrial support for small-scale production. We are going to work in these directions. I hope that our cooperation will bear fruit.”

For his part, the world-famous scientist expressed gratitude to the head of the university for the development of science at the university:

“You have a very worthy center of advanced materials and technologies. It is clear that it requires a lot of money and effort to implement. But this is a very competent investment of money and intellectual capital, a very demanded area of ​​the modern world. There is speculation that additive technologies will make the next revolution. And industrial, and technological, and even psychological, because people’s thinking is changing. Probably, those who come here do not expect to see such high-tech at KBSU. I came here as a trained person, but even I am impressed by your center. The Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies is a major achievement of your university. I have been to many universities and organizations, I have something to compare. It is necessary to support and cultivate in every possible way, to train personnel in order to take full advantage of the advantage that you now have. It’s great that you have people who can solve technological problems, have engineering thinking, are able to refine equipment, modify it for themselves. This is also not for everyone.»

As part of the visit, Valentin Ananikov gave a lecture for teachers and students on «New Generation Renewable Materials and Additive Technologies in Sustainable Development Projects». The lecture was focused on the natural sciences, devoted to fundamental scientific issues, the development of regenerable polymers that are obtained from biological raw materials, and their possible practical application. In this area, the scientist noted, active research work is being carried out in several interdisciplinary areas. Here organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, a new generation of modern materials and a very wide range of their practical applications intersect. The number of articles on this topic in the best, «top» international journals is very large, there is a high scientific activity.

“Of course, we need to try to make projects in this direction. They are very important for maintaining the image of any research organization, for improving its ratings, especially international ones. These are advanced scientific and educational programs, new technologies that will be implemented in practice after some time,” — Valentin Ananikov emphasized.

In the second part of the visit, a round table «The development path of a student and a graduate student in scientific and educational projects» was held, at which the eminent scientist shared with young scientific advice for successful scientific activity. He presented the audience with a simple trajectory of the development of a modern young scientist in scientific and educational projects: student → graduate student → young scientist → senior researcher → head of the topic (direction). For it to work, according to Ananikov, you need to squeeze the maximum out of your university studies.

“This is a very serious and important topic, you need to approach your own development responsibly, you need to plan it, you need to imagine who you can work with. What goals to set in your life and, most importantly, how to adequately achieve these goals,” — Ananikov said.

You need to go through a difficult but exciting path from finding the most interesting for yourself, acquiring laboratory skills and defining your calling, to writing scientific articles, receiving grants, creating your own laboratory and shaping your direction in work. A scientist must have critical thinking and must be motivated to succeed. Valentin Pavlovich emphasized that science changes the world, and therefore it is precisely the deep inner desire to change the world that should become a special engine for a young scientist in his formation and scientific activity. At the end of the meeting, the scientist answered questions from the audience.