The agreement was signed by Rector of KFU Ilshat Gafurov and Director of JINR Viktor Matveev in Dubna on March 26th.

The Department of Nuclear Material Science will conduct research in fundamental, applied, and engineering sciences with the integration of scientific, educational, technological, and innovation resources.

Rector Gafurov congratulated the JINR's team with the Institute's 61st birthday while noting its immense significance for Russian and global science. Six new chemical elements have been first discovered here – this makes JINR one of the chosen few such institutions in the world. The equipment in its possession is unique, and researchers from dozens of countries arrive here to conduct their experiments.

Vice-Rector Dmitry Tayursky had this to say about the new department, “The Department will be jointly run by KFU and JINR. The first to contribute to its work will be the employees of the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics. It’s important to note that this is not just a research institute but one of the largest scientific institutions in the world”.

Director of the Institute of Physics Sergey Nikitin added, «Cooperation with the Neutron Physics Lab will allow us to use neutron methods in the research of condensed matter. There is already a significant overlapping in our research interests, such as strongly correlated electron systems, thin films, multiferroics… I am sure the cooperation will be intensive».

The projects won't be limited to only physics, however. JINR can offer its amassed expertise in air and water pollution analysis and biological monitoring; journalism students will be allowed to work at JINR and publish their works at KFU.

Master students from the University will also be able to hold research at JINR, and everyone interested will be invited to summer schools.

KFU and JINR recently worked together at EXON 2016 in Kazan.