Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has issued a directive about establishing a Crimean Federal University named after Vladimir Vernadsky.The directive is placed on the Russian government's website.

A concept note attached to the directive points out that the Federal University is to be established on the basis of seven higher learning institutions and seven research organizations.

The Russian Ministry of Education and Science (MES) has been assigned to work out a Federal University development programme within six months and refer it to the government for approval.

The MES is also to prepare proposals within a three-month period and submit them to the government for the purpose of adjusting the "Education Development" programme for the 2013-2020 period with regard to financing, resultant of Federal budget resources, beginning from 2015, of the implementation of the Federal University development programme and the accomplishment of the government assignment.

In conjunction with the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea and Rosimushchestvo (Federal Service for the Management of Federal Property), the MES must ensure, not later than January 1, 2016, the conduct of activities for the establishment and development of the Federal University.