Approved by the Government of the Russian Federation on June 27 draft law "On the Russian Academy of Sciences, the reorganization of the state academies of sciences " has drawn sharp criticism of the scientific community. Leading scientists of the Siberian and Far Eastern Branches of the RAS immediately sent a letter to President Putin to demand the resignation of the Ministry of Education Livanov.
"The government's decision on the virtual elimination of the state academies of sciences of Russia and seizure of their operational management of federal property we view as an attempt to smash the current effective system of organization of fundamental science in Russia To continue the destruction of education in Russia - said in a letter signed by 11 academics (including the chairman of the Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Valentin Sergienko and his deputy Yuri Kul'chin). - Decision prepared in violation of the established democratic procedures without discussion, in an atmosphere of closeness and secretiveness in the apparent failure of the modernization projects of scientific and technical sphere - RUSNANO and Skolkovo unacceptable is the planned withdrawal of the legal status of the regional offices of the RAS. Are far-fetched claims to the academies of the alleged mismanagement of federal property "
Scientists protest against the reform in different livanovskiunprecedented unanimity and fervor. Further to the message appeared similar in spirit to open letters of the Presidium of the RAS Far Eastern Branch (" We believe the government's irresponsible, cynical and self-defeating to request the immediate resignation of the government") and the Council of young scientists, FEB RAS (" the Academy of Sciences can and should be reformed but not at the cost of its destruction ").
July 1 was a meeting of the scientific community, FEB RAS (such meetings these days areequal). Usually science, like the army out of politics, but this case is described by Tolstoy, "I can not remain silent." Conference Hall of the Institute of Automation, FEB RAS has been filled completely - even in the crowded hallway. Many came with posters and slogans, which, among other things, was beaten surname Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets - one of the "engines" of reform. Valentin Sergienko was unusually emotional:
- We see what happened with the formation of "effective management" was brought to the fact that high school graduates do not speak Russian and can not take the square root The Defense Ministry also handed over all "effective managers" - created Oboronservis, stolen tens of billions of rubles. Chubais and Medvedev said that we are ahead of the rest of Nanotechnology - Today, we hear that RUSNANO has gone bankrupt. In a normal society, such a government would have taken down because it showed utter incompetence. Have the last - academy. Reforms of the early 90's pushed out of the country 700-800 thousand highly qualified specialists. Now if all goes well, as they say, many of the people sitting here young scientists leave abroad, because there will not be prospects resulting in RAS data formed the basis for the development of the LHC, and we are told that the academy - musty and inefficient system!
- What is being proposed - a step in the destruction of the state, - the corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Far East Branch deputy chairman Gregory debt.
Scientists suggest that the reform is based on the desire of some people to gain control over the assets of Russian Academy of Sciences - first of all real estate in Moscow and Moscow region. So talk about the "inefficiency" of the Russian science and reduced to the question of ownership. If, as is proposed to transfer the asset management arms of the Russian Academy of Sciences to a special agency, who can guarantee that tomorrow will not leave the building Research Institute of the left?
- If the government will appoint the directors of institutions, if the scientific process will be led by bureaucrats, the scientists will turn into rabbits, which can be fed, but you can not feed or even drive on the street - said the academician Sergienko reporters. - You little Oboronservis want more Akademservis?
Sergienko stresses that scientists are not against reform. Moreover, the reform is already underway, it is busy and the new president of the Academy of Sciences of the fort. By September, should be ready to strategy of Sciences until 2030.
- We are in a position to carry out this work. Our publication activity has increased over five to seven years, more than 50%. In science brought young - in our institutions 25% of young people. The bill should be discussed in accordance with the law. Today, the discussion is not, everything is done behind closed doors and cynically - says Valentin Sergienko. - In a society creates a distorted picture of what is happening in science. They say Russian science in comparison with the U.S. is not very effective. But all of the funding of our Academy of Sciences - $ 2 billion, is financing a U.S. university! In this case, we provide 3.5% of the publications in the world. Do not give anything and wait for a delicious result? It does not happen.
Already announced earlier demand the resignation of the government scientists have found understanding, but not all accept the approach of "government - the poor, the president - good." Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Leonid Mitnik of Pacific Oceanology Institute, said: "It is hard to imagine that the proposed law was not known to the President that there was no consent. Therefore, the requirements of the government's resignation is not enough. Let's demand the re-election of President - The President of prospects in the country are few. "
Mitnick applauded, but decided to show diplomacy. At the meeting included a resolution demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Medvedev, Deputy Prime Minister Golodets, Minister of Education and Science Livanov. In addition, scientists need to withdraw the draft law "On the Russian Academy of Sciences ", submitted in violation of the rules, and recommend the management of RAS challenge the government's actions in the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. "Evaluating the government's actions as illegal, anti-state, aimed at the disruption and destruction of Russian science, we consider false and illegal activities of the government offensive to the entire scientific community in Russia," - also referred to in this document.
Yegor Kuzmich, " New Paper in Vladivostok "
