The forum is traditionally coordinated by Donetsk National Technical University – the largest center of scientific and technical thought as well as training of engineering specialists.
A large-scale (outstanding, huge) scientific event began with opening speeches by the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic Vladimir Antonov to the participants of the forum; Rector of DonNTU Alexander Anoprienko also made a welcome address. Viktor Varyukhin, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the DPR, continued the opening ceremony of the forum.
"It is known that the innovation-based way of development is a guarantee of sustainable growth of any state, including the Donetsk People's Republic. It is necessary to develop the scientific potential of the Republic and involve young scientists in solving urgent problems. The Ministry of Education and Science, together with the leadership of the Republic, is implementing a number of measures that are designed to give impetus to the innovative development of the economy. In particular, work is underway to create a Science Council under the Government of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the purpose of which is to increase the efficiency of scientific, scientific-technical and innovative activities, to develop proposals on pressing issues of state policy in the scientific field," Viktor Varyukhin emphasized.
It was also noted that there are plans to hold an annual competition of innovative projects of young scientists under the patronage of the government of the Donetsk People's Republic. In addition, the Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of switching to program-oriented planning of scientific research, innovative projects and programs, creating favorable investment conditions for the most promising projects. Viktor Varyukhin wished the forum participants constructive work and bright ideas.
During the plenary session, the Minister of Economic Development of the DPR Aleksey Polovyan presented the strategic directions for the development of the Donetsk People’s Republic, noting the most important task of building an export-oriented multi-structured economy of an innovative type.
Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology of the DPR, Alexander Stukalov, focusing on the issues of scientific and technical support for economic development, also emphasized that the main goal of the DPR innovation policy is to create its own competitive economic model and increase the living standards of the population through neo-industrialization. In this regard, Alexander Stukalov noted the special role of mechanical engineering as a leading industry, determining scientific and technological progress and ensuring innovative development.
Addressing the forum, the rector of DonNTU Alexander Anoprienko presented the report "Donbass-2020 and Donbass-2045: expectations, reality and prospects", outlining the priority plans and further tasks, the solution of which will contribute to the successful socio-economic development of the Republic.
During the forum, issues of education and upbringing of young people were also considered. Svetlana Bespalova, Chairman of the Council of Rectors, Rector of Donetsk National University, made a presentation entitled "Investments in educational and spiritual-patriotic potential – a determining condition for the development of the Donetsk People’s Republic". Svetlana Bespalova focused on the importance of spiritual and moral education of students, the fight against distortion of historical truth, shared her experience of cooperation with Russian public organizations to preserve the spiritual values of the Russian world, spoke about the large-scale work at the university in the Year of the Great Victory.
The significance of the scientific event, which is already being held for the sixth time in the Donetsk People’s Republic, for sustainable economic growth was emphasized by Asya Gorshkova, the chairman of the Republican Trade Union of Education and Science Workers.
Representatives of educational institutions of higher professional education and scientific organizations of the Russian Federation, the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the Republic of Belarus, and the Republic of Abkhazia will take part in the forum, which will be held on May 26-28 in a remote format.
