Fourth Meeting of the KFU International Scientific Council

Experts weighed in on the development of the University and its strategic academic units.

The discussion involved Rector Ilshat Gafurov, vice-rectors, and heads of strategic academic units (Andrey Kiyasov – Translational Medicine, Aydar Kalimullin – Teacher 21, Mikhail Varfolomeev – EcoOil, and Oleg Sherstyukov – AstroChallenge). Vice-Rector Marat Safiullin gave an overview of the latest developments in rankings.

International Scientific Council was created as a part of KFU’s entrance into Project 5-100. The Council’s current Chairman is Rudolf Grimm.

Experts had some advice to share. In particular, they recommended to not be too carried away by online programs because their effectiveness is not high. Rather, it’s better to use them as only complementary to on-site tuition. Global positioning is also a poignant issue.

Dr. Grimm commented, “Many people still don’t know about Kazan and Kazan University, despite your growing activity in international conferences and associations. And there is interest in you. But you have to understand that you cannot raise awareness by increasing the number of publications; I will hardly talk about that number when I speak with my colleagues in Innsbruck about you, but I will definitely tell about discoveries.”

Therefore, effectiveness of research is the key to success. The council members also advised to work on removing the language barrier, involve students in international networking, and more actively enter international projects.

Project 5-100 will wrap up in 2020, but it has already been decided that the Council will continue functioning beyond that date. Rector Gafurov expressed his appreciation of the councilors’ efforts and gifted them commemorative badges and diplomas.