31.01.2020

At his meeting with scientists, young research fellows, heads of academic institutions and industry representatives at the State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has discussed the most critical challenges facing Uzbekistan’s scholarly community.

The year 2020 has been declared in the country as the one of Science, Enlightenment and Digital Economy, and priority objectives in these areas are identified accordingly. Considering the capacities of traditionally authoritative science schools in the country, as well as with an eye to national interests and national development directions at the current stage, a decision was taken this year to promote mathematics, chemistry, biology and geology.

The head of state stressed that the potential of Uzbek mathematical science is highly valued in the world, the nation boasts eminent schools on functional analysis and differential equations, probability theory and algebra, seven mathematicians from our country are members of the World Academy of Sciences.

A range of research projects are spearheaded jointly with foreign academic centers, including the leading ones in Bonn, Cambridge, Paris and Seoul.

In accordance with the presidential resolution envisaging the development of mathematical education and science, signed 9 July 2019, a new building of the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences is being erected in the Student Village in Tashkent on the basis of modern requirements.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev expounded on the pressing challenges of putting the results of mathematical research into practice, creating a solid foundation for digital economy.

We need to boost, as it was noted, the interest of young people in mathematics, properly arrange the works on the selection of gifted children and their enrolment in higher education institutions. The purpose is to create children’s textbooks and manuals on mathematics written in accessible and popular language, to shape mathematical thinking style from an early age, in kindergartens.

“Mathematics is the basis of all exact sciences. A child who knows mathematics well grows discreet and is able to succeed in many fields in adulthood,” the President said.

The head of our state instructed to establish schools with mathematical bias in each district center and pay allowances to teachers of such educational institutions. The Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Public Education are in charge of the scientific and methodological support of schools.

The President noted the importance of holding various mathematics competitions among pupils, students and teachers, and encouraging worthily the winners of such contests, as well as perfecting the system of discipline Olympiads.

The necessity was noted of raising the quality of education to a new level, of introducing a national certification system for assessing mathematical knowledge. Certificate holders will be awarded the maximum math score during university admission exams.

The effectiveness of training highly qualified teachers and staff with a scientific degree should be bolstered, Shavkat Mirziyoyev insisted, and the council for awarding scholarly degrees at the Institute of Mathematics be granted full independence.

Instructions were given on holding international conferences on mathematics in Uzbekistan, sending our academics abroad to participate in scientific events and undertake internships at the expense of the national budget and through the El-Yurt Umidi (Hope of the Nation) Foundation.

Uzbekistan today has four research institutions of chemical orientation, with more than 250 scientists working in them. Their innovations and developments have helped produce new types of fertilizers, defoliants, plant growth stimulants.

The President said that the chemical industry is confined to the production of mineral fertilizers, therefore, it is vital to improve the educational and research component of this industry.

Practical effectiveness of scientific developments should be increased, while research works ought to adapt to the needs of industrial enterprises.

The joint-stock companies Uzkimyosanoat and Uzbekneftegaz were tasked with organizing experimental production laboratories with modern infrastructure at large industrial enterprises, and the Ministry of Innovation Development is responsible for the direction of the activities of these laboratories for the integration of science and production.

In order to increase the efficiency of using mineral resources, the President proposed to set up a scientific and experimental laboratory “Chemistry of Coal and Materials”, a scientific direction “Chemistry and Technology of Coal” at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences.

The necessity was indicated of establishing new scientific institutions to create modern construction materials, a network of laboratories in particular specializing in research on new composite materials and innovative chemical technologies.

Biology is the fundamental and technological basis for the development of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, medicine, the food industry, among others.

Today, 7 research institutions with about 600 research workers are engaged in this field of science in Uzbekistan.

The President talked about the current trends in the world market and in international science, recommended to comprehensively develop agro- and biotechnologies, including food science, biomedicine and pharmaceutical biotechnology.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev pointed out the importance of studying the composition of foods and its effect on human health, of promoting healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.

The meeting participants discussed challenges concerning the improvement of research activities and consolidation of the financial and technical capacities of the Institute of Botany.

The President insisted that a digital state cadastre of flora and fauna of Uzbekistan be created. That would allow for planning scientific research, determining biological protection measures, making important decisions with regard to the development of the sphere.

Instructions were given on the development of DNA and molecular technologies in medicine and pharmaceuticals, on the expansion of the use of genetic analysis, new biomaterials and biopolymers, and the establishment of effective cooperation between research institutions and potential consumers.

Another priority area is geology, directly related to providing the industry with a mineral resource base.

Over 2 thousand deposits of more than 70 types of minerals have been discovered in our country. However, deposits that could be easily developed have been decreasing in number.

Time itself dictates the need for geological prospecting of deeper deposits, development of reserves of complex structure, which, in turn, requires the widespread introduction of cutting-edge scientific methods and innovative technologies.

It is for these purposes that the University of Geological Sciences is being established in Tashkent.

The head of state noted that in order to enhance research in this area, it is essential to intensify fundamental, applied and innovative research, to attract for this not only internal, but also foreign grants.

The President set the task of combining the capacities of geological science and mining and metallurgical plants, to organize a modern laboratory of geo-innovative technologies.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged to implement modern information technologies, realize projects like Digital Geology and the National Electronic Base of Rocks and Minerals, and train students in remote sensing techniques based on high-resolution space photographs.

The importance of supporting young researchers and stimulating the effectiveness of doctoral studies was noted.

In order to adequately encourage doctoral students who defend their thesis ahead of schedule, along with their supervisors or advisers, the President proposed to introduce practice of fully paying them the moneys saved as a result of their inventions.

Responsible officials have been tasked with contemplating a concept for the development of science through to 2030, providing for required measures for scientific, technological and innovative development in the medium and long term.

The meeting served to discuss issues pending solution in various areas of science. The head of state gave relevant instructions to responsible executives proceeding from the proposals voiced by scientists and youths.

 

• 
• 
•