«Scientific Guide to the North Caucasus Federal District»: KBSU Opens New Route for Science Popularization

The grand opening of the «Scientific Guide to the North Caucasus Federal District» popular science marathon took place in Nalchik, with the participation of Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov.

The project, implemented by North Caucasus Federal University as part of the «New Route» festival, aims to showcase the scientific potential of the North Caucasus to the general public.

In his welcoming speech, Azamat Lyuyev, Minister of Youth Affairs of Kabardino-Balkaria, emphasized the importance of state support for young scientists, viewing it as an investment in the country’s future. Anzor Ezaov, Minister of Education and Science of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, added that the students in the audience could become representatives of Russian science tomorrow.

Svetlana Khashirova, Vice-Rector for Research and Director of the Center for Advanced Materials and Additive Technologies at Kabardino-Balkarian State University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Professor, addressed the audience. The speaker emphasized that the North Caucasus is currently firmly associated with a rich culture and distinctive gastronomy. Therefore, the festival aims to showcase the significant scientific and technical potential of the North Caucasus Federal District and its role in the development of science in Russia.

The event’s program includes popular science lectures, a presentation of a new science series about interesting projects in the Caucasus, «Science in the North Caucasus: The Route Has Been Paved,» and an interactive event where schoolchildren and students demonstrated their knowledge.

In her speech, Svetlana Khashirova highlighted KBSU’s key achievements in the field of polymeric materials, noting the university’s leading position nationally. The KBSU Vice-Rector emphasized the widespread use of polymers in high-tech fields such as cosmonautics (the creation of spacesuits, films, and parachute systems) and medicine (the production of bioimplants).

At the same time, a demonstration of the scientific achievements of the region’s higher education institutions was held in the art residence’s lobby. KBSU presented specialized simulators used by students to learn the basics of operating unmanned aerial vehicles for civilian and sports applications, biomaterials made from superstructural polymers, student-designed park area and bus stop models, and artifacts of Adyghe culture. The «Nart Trail» tourist mobile app project also generated considerable interest.

The «New Route» festival will conclude on November 15, 2025. During this time, similar events will be held in Stavropol, Arkhyz, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, Makhachkala, and Derbent. Abkhazia and South Ossetia will also join the marathon.

The project is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of the Decade of Science and Technology. It includes two Olympiads, intensive courses, master classes, lectures, and other events. KBSU is one of the festival’s partners.