The founders of the two science and education centers (SEC) in Arkhangelsk and in Yakutsk have decided to pool their efforts to study the Arctic more efficiently. An agreement was reached at the forum, Arctic Projects ̶ Today and Tomorrow.

“It makes sense for two SECs to work together for better interaction between the western and eastern parts of the Arctic. It will also strengthen the state’s position in the international Arctic space,” said Yelena Kudryashova, Rector of Northern (Arctic) Federal University, speaking to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Andrei Fedotov.

Andrei Fedotov supported the idea and suggested sending a proposal to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. “We have to look for a decision that works for the ministry and for us. A conflict of interests is not a good idea: we are also working with the basic research centres in St Petersburg and Moscow. They have signed agreements with us and with you. We have put them in a position where they have to choose, but they don’t want to choose because they are interested in cooperating with both you and us,” noted Andrei Fedotov.

Yelena Kudryashova also suggested that their colleagues in Yakutia should shift their interests toward the Far East. “This way we will have both a field of action and common points,” she explained.

Some 15 world-class science and education centers are to be established in Russia under the project, Development of Scientific Research and Production Cooperation, which is part of the Science national project. The Arkhangelsk SEC, which is called Russian Arctic: New Materials, Technologies and Research Methods, was established in association with Northern (Arctic) Federal University. The SEC’s job is to combine the efforts of applied and basic science in shipbuilding and logistics, mineral extraction and biological resources for economic development. The center covers the western part of the Arctic: the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, the Nenets Autonomous Area, and the republics of Karelia and Komi.

The Yakutia SEC covers four partner regions: Yakutia, the Chukotka Autonomous Area, the Magadan Region and the Kamchatka Territory. The SEC’s research is focused on the Arctic environment and climate, the region’s industrial development, building engineering works, transport, energy development and personnel training.