Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, visited Baikal State University for the first time on July 25.

With Igor Kobzev, Governor of the Irkutsk Region, they toured the university radio studio and television pavilion. The guests were told about the work of round-the-clock educational TV and radio channels. The Minister visited the admission office of the university and learned about the admission rates. More than 16 thousand applications from applicants have been received at BSU so far.

The guests were introduced to the developments of young scientists of the university. Students and graduate students of the BSU project office participate in the development of strategies for socio-economic and territorial development of various municipalities of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. Such projects are already being implemented in the village of Khomutovo, the city of Ust-Kut, Kyakhta and other settlements. In particular, questionnaires are conducted to find out the wishes of residents, the economic effect of the development is calculated, and the number of potential jobs is projected. Governor Igor Kobzev proposed to consider the possibility of using these scientific studies in the work of the Urban Planning Council of the region.

- Baikal State University is a powerful vertically integrated interregional educational and research complex. It organically combines fundamental education in its best traditions with modern teaching methods and technologies. Over the past years of your work, you have implemented major projects that have made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the Irkutsk Region. I am confident that your professionalism and competence, rich practical experience, active life position will continue to contribute to the prosperity of science and education in Priangarie, - said Igor Kobzev.

The Minister and the Governor were also introduced to the work of the Center for National History of BSU under the leadership of Professor Lev Dameshek. Recently, the team of scientists published the book “History of the Ust-Ordyn Buryat Autonomous District”

Rector Viktor Ignatenko noted that the strategic goal of the university is to achieve by 2032 leading positions among the key universities in the training of highly qualified personnel in the fields of management, economics, law and humanities.

Valery Falkov honored Irkutsk science and higher education workers with the Ministry's commendations. Among BSU employees, Professor Lev Dameshek, Professor Viktor Samarukha and Professor Alexei Samarukha were awarded. Igor Kobzev presented the governor's commendations to Professor Sergey Astafiev, Professor Natalia Rubtsova and Associate Professor Vladimir Shalamov.

- Irkutsk Region is one of the flagship regions of Russia with a large scientific and educational community and good academic traditions. And we appreciate this as founders of scientific and educational organizations. Working with students is a vocation and a great titanic labor, serious methodological development, but most importantly, it is a desire to share knowledge. In addition, you also build an educational component into the process of teaching and transfer of experience. You are not just established scientists and teachers, but also mentors. I thank you for your conscientious labor. I wish your students to please you more often, - emphasized Valery Falkov.

Photo by Alexei Golovshchikov.