Roundtable Discussion on New Horizons of Science and Technology Cooperation Between the BRICS Countries through the Eyes of Young Scientists Took Place in Moscow
On May 14, a round table "New horizons of scientific and technological cooperation of the BRICS countries through the eyes of young scientists" was held at the HSE in Moscow on the initiative of the BRICS Expert Council in preparation for the BRICS Academic Forum. During the meeting, the participants discussed the directions and formats for the development of cooperation within the framework of BRICS in the field of science, technology and innovation. Experts in the field of science and education, as well as young scientists, were invited to the discussion to exchange views on the prospects for youth participation in BRICS cooperation and to identify new approaches, tools and formats for expanding scientific and technical cooperation within the framework of the association.
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A number of new tools have appeared in Russia that support young people and scientists, as well as implement research projects. We have received quite powerful support in terms of digitalization tools and the creation of digital resources in the form of catalogs, libraries, databases, thanks to which we can work today not only to collect scientific literature, but also to conduct serious research. These horizons can be significantly expanded. We can improve the quality of scientific and technological cooperation between the BRICS countries
Marina Borovskaya
Head of the working group "Science, Technology and Innovation, healthcare, humanitarian cooperation, inter-civilizational dialogue, culture and Education" of the BRICS Expert Council, Chairman of the Expert Council on Management in the field of Higher Education and Science at the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
The experts discussed the structure of BRICS and explored the potential for collaboration in science, technology, and innovation. They identified the most sought-after areas of cooperation within BRICS in 2024. These include launching a pilot contest for flagship research projects among the BRICS countries, facilitating exchange and internship programmes for young scientists, collaborating on large-scale research infrastructures, conducting joint sea and land expeditions involving the BRICS member states, and organizing the BRICS Innovation Forum, among others.
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There are two important tools. The first is the implementation of multilateral scientific projects, during which researchers from different BRICS countries could productively interact, as well as the development of a travel grant system. Secondly, it is necessary to organize international scientific schools and educational intensive courses. They ensure cooperation between young researchers and allow them to share their experience directly. This is a fundamentally important thing that our partners actively use in order to train valuable scientific personnel
Ivan Danilin
Expert of the working group "Science, Technology and Innovation, Healthcare, humanitarian cooperation, inter-civilizational dialogue, culture and education" of the BRICS Expert Council, Head of the Innovation Policy Sector of IMEMO RAS
While discussing the potential to implement network-based interdisciplinary research and multilateral projects in science and education, participants also highlighted the BRICS STI Framework Programme.
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In the period from 2016 to 2023, 6 competitions of BRICS multilateral research projects were announced. The main scientific areas of the competitions are related to natural sciences, the topics are more focused on the priority areas of BRICS cooperation. More than 5,000 teams from BRICS countries were involved in the preparation of over 1,600 applications for competitions, and 138 research projects were supported
Yaroslav Sorokotyaga
Head of the Department of the Russian Center for Scientific Information
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The success of the university largely depends on how successfully it is possible to work with students and involve them in science. To socialize young researchers, the HSE is actively developing a humanitarian research infrastructure. HSE has initiated several major programs, including the opening of scientific laboratories that attract young scientists, and the holding of an international competition for research papers
Ivan Gruzdev
Director of the Center for Sociology of Higher Education
In addition, he noted the importance of implementing exchange programs between universities within BRICS and the need to organize online conferences to establish contact and exchange experiences between young scientists from the countries of the association.
The experts noted that these proposals correspond to the recommendations formed by the working group "Science, Technology and Innovation, Health, humanitarian cooperation, inter-civilizational dialogue, culture and education", and also stressed the importance of supporting such initiatives.
The participants discussed the implementation of network acceleration programs for scientific and technological entrepreneurship and talent development through student scientific associations.
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Excessive concentration on patents for young scientists and entrepreneurs at the early stages of their development is rather a minus than a plus. Obtaining patents takes a lot of time and takes away attention and resources from the founders of companies, which are better spent on developing the project, attracting new team members and investments
Alexander Piskunov
Managing Partner of KAAN Ventures
He suggested focusing on the demand for the product in the market and stressed the importance of supporting Russian entrepreneurs.
Following the discussion, the experts agreed to supplement and improve the recommendations of the working group, which currently include 16 points.
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I hope that we will be able to systematize the ecosystem approach to shaping the agenda of inter-country cooperation, which is very necessary for us today.
Marina Borovskaya
Head of the working group "Science, Technology and Innovation, healthcare, humanitarian cooperation, inter-civilizational dialogue, culture and Education" of the BRICS Expert Council, Chairman of the Expert Council on Management in the field of Higher Education and Science at the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
The discussion will continue at the national level in face-to-face and online formats for further discussion with representatives of the BRICS countries.