Rector of the MEPhI Vladimir Shevchenko took part in the plenary session “Meganascience as the basis of technological breakthroughs and spatial development of the country” at the 10th Technoprom International Technological Development Forum in Novosibirsk.

Giant installations and global research are the most important basis for future scientific breakthroughs. Perhaps megascience will help us discover the hidden secrets of the universe, find out how the Universe appeared and find an inexhaustible source of energy. The participants of the meeting held at Technoprom discussed the features of large projects, the role of mega-science facilities in the development of science, and the need to popularize the achievements of Russian scientists.

Vladimir Shevchenko recalled that mankind has been engaged in large projects throughout its history. The Egyptian pyramids, the Great Wall of China, the grandiose Gothic medieval cathedrals, and, finally, our modern accelerators, detectors, orbiting telescopes ... It seems that some inner impulse, an indomitable thirst for knowledge constantly induces a person to create something greater than himself.

But if the builders of medieval cathedrals were well aware that perhaps only their grandchildren would see a masterpiece of stone architecture, then modern young specialists are not always ready to work on projects with a long time horizon. If a project can be completed in a couple of months, it is by definition not a megaproject.

In addition, in modern fundamental science, the rector is sure, the moment of political will is important - if decisions on the fate of large projects were made not by emperors, but by their treasurers, not a single large project would be implemented.

According to the rector, when discussing large projects, such as mega-science units, it is very important to talk not only about the economics of their construction, but also about the economics of their operation.

“We have a tradition in our country: it is always easier to get money for construction than for salaries for people who will then be involved in the operation of the building. Without understanding the global macroeconomics of this story, we are doomed to lose not only to fintech and telecom, but also to high-tech commercial employers. Since every high-class specialist counts today. This is a very serious challenge that needs to be seriously considered,” Vladimir Shevchenko emphasized.

The rector also drew the attention of the meeting participants to the trend towards a reduction in the number of high school students taking the unified state exam in physics. In 2021, 128,000 students passed it, in 2022 - 101,000, in 2023 - 89,000 schoolchildren. How to increase interest in scientific research and raise the prestige of the professions of an engineer, a scientist? This is another challenge that needs to be answered today.