Roundtable Discussion on New Horizons of Science and Technology Cooperation Between the BRICS Countries through the Eyes of Young Scientists Took Place in Moscow
20/05/2024
On May 14, HSE University hosted a roundtable discussion titled “The New Horizons of Science and Technology Cooperation Between the BRICS Countries through the Eyes of Young Scientists” in the run-up for the BRICS Academic Forum. The participants discussed the key areas and formats for developing cooperation within BRICS in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. Experts in science and education, along with young scholars, were invited to exchange views on the prospects for youth participation in BRICS and to identify new approaches, tools, and formats for expanding science and technology cooperation within the group.
The meeting was moderated by Marina Borovskaya, Chair of the Expert Council on Governance in Higher Education and Science at the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education and Head of the Science, Technology, and Innovation, Healthcare, Humanitarian Cooperation, Inter-Civilizational Dialogue, Culture, and Education Working Group under the BRICS Expert Council¬–Russia. Ms Borovskaya highlighted several new tools aimed at supporting young people and scientists, as well as implementing research projects. "Thanks to the significant support we have received for digitalization technologies and the development of digital resources like catalogs, libraries, and databases, we are now able not only to create collections of scientific literature but also to conduct substantial research. However, we can take this one step further and aim to elevate the quality of cooperation in science and technology among the BRICS nations," she noted.
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.
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.
Ivan Danilin, Head of the Department of Innovation Policy at IMEMO RAS and Expert at the Science, Technology, and Innovation, Healthcare, Humanitarian Cooperation, Inter-Civilizational Dialogue, Culture, and Education Working Group under the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, highlighted additional yet equally effective tools for enhancing science and technology cooperation. "Two crucial tools stand out. Firstly, we should focus on facilitating multilateral research projects, enabling researchers from various BRICS countries to collaborate effectively, alongside the advancement of the travel grant system. Secondly, we need to organize international research schools and intensive academic courses. These platforms facilitate collaboration among young researchers, providing them with direct opportunities to share experiences. This aspect is fundamentally significant and is actively utilized by our partners to train valuable research staff," Mr Danilin pointed out.
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. Yaroslav Sorokotyaga, Unit Head at the Russian Centre for Science Information, provided insights into ongoing projects within the programme. "Between 2016 and 2023, six competitions for BRICS multilateral research projects were launched. These competitions primarily encompassed natural sciences, with topics tailored to the priority areas of BRICS cooperation. Over 5,000 teams from BRICS countries participated in preparing over 1,600 applications for these competitions, resulting in 138 research projects receiving support," he shared.
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. Yaroslav Sorokotyaga, Unit Head at the Russian Centre for Science Information, provided insights into ongoing projects within the programme. "Between 2016 and 2023, six competitions for BRICS multilateral research projects were launched. These competitions primarily encompassed natural sciences, with topics tailored to the priority areas of BRICS cooperation. Over 5,000 teams from BRICS countries participated in preparing over 1,600 applications for these competitions, resulting in 138 research projects receiving support," he shared.
Ivan Gruzdev, Director of the Centre of Sociology of Higher Education, provided insights into HSE University's experience regarding the socialization of young scholars. "The university's success greatly depends on its ability to effectively engage students in scientific pursuits," he noted. Ivan Gruzdev also explained that HSE University focuses on developing humanitarian research infrastructure to facilitate socialization of young researchers. "HSE University spearheaded a few large-scale programmes, such as launching research laboratories to attract young talent, along with hosting international competitions for research papers," the expert emphasized. Additionally, he underscored the significance of facilitating exchange programmes between universities within BRICS, alongside the imperative to organize online conferences for fostering connections and sharing experiences among young scholars from the BRICS member states.
The experts highlighted that these proposals align with the recommendations put forth by the Science, Technology, and Innovation, Healthcare, Humanitarian Cooperation, Inter-Civilizational Dialogue, Culture, and Education Working Group, underscoring the significance of endorsing such initiatives.
During the discussion, participants deliberated on network-based acceleration programmes aimed at fostering entrepreneurship in science and technology, as well as talent development through student research associations. "For young scholars and entrepreneurs, focusing excessively on patents at their initial stages of career may hurt rather than help. Securing patents demands significant time and diverts attention and resources away from company founders, resources that could be better spent on project development, team expansion, and securing investments," shared Alexander Piskunov, Managing Partner at KAAN Ventures. He proposed prioritizing the market demand for the product and underscored the significance of ensuring support for Russian entrepreneurs.
Following the discussion, the experts agreed to enhance and refine the recommendations put forth by the working group, presently comprising 16 points. "I hope that we can structure the ecosystem approach to establish the agenda on cross-border collaboration, which is truly essential for us today," concluded Marina Borovskaya, the Head of the Working Group.
Follow-up discussions will continue at the national level in both face-to-face and online formats and will subsequently involve representatives from the BRICS nations.
The experts highlighted that these proposals align with the recommendations put forth by the Science, Technology, and Innovation, Healthcare, Humanitarian Cooperation, Inter-Civilizational Dialogue, Culture, and Education Working Group, underscoring the significance of endorsing such initiatives.
During the discussion, participants deliberated on network-based acceleration programmes aimed at fostering entrepreneurship in science and technology, as well as talent development through student research associations. "For young scholars and entrepreneurs, focusing excessively on patents at their initial stages of career may hurt rather than help. Securing patents demands significant time and diverts attention and resources away from company founders, resources that could be better spent on project development, team expansion, and securing investments," shared Alexander Piskunov, Managing Partner at KAAN Ventures. He proposed prioritizing the market demand for the product and underscored the significance of ensuring support for Russian entrepreneurs.
Following the discussion, the experts agreed to enhance and refine the recommendations put forth by the working group, presently comprising 16 points. "I hope that we can structure the ecosystem approach to establish the agenda on cross-border collaboration, which is truly essential for us today," concluded Marina Borovskaya, the Head of the Working Group.
Follow-up discussions will continue at the national level in both face-to-face and online formats and will subsequently involve representatives from the BRICS nations.