On January 31, 2020, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited scientific research institutes on Olimlar street in the city of Tashkent.

As is known, 2020 is declared in the country as the Year of Science, Enlightenment and Digital Economy Development. Outlining goals in this direction in his Address to the Oliy Majlis, the Head of the state noted the need for identifying and developing several priority branches of science annually.

So, this year fundamental and applied research in mathematics, chemistry and biology, geology will be activated, all conditions for scientists will be created.

Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources. Geology is the most important factor in their study and effective development.

That is why the President of the country has taken this sphere under special control and creates new foundations for its development.

Currently, four institutions under the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources – institutes of geology and geophysics, hydrogeology and engineering geology, mineral resources, geology and exploration of oil and gas fields are engaged in scientific research in this area.

At the initiative of the Head of the state, it is planned to create a modern university based on these institutions, which will become a single complex.

On January 31, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev laid the capsule for the construction of the new university campus.

This institution will be a scientific and educational cluster. The material and technical base and scientific potential of four institutes will be combined, the institution will receive the most advanced equipment. Educational programs will be organized jointly with Saint Petersburg Mining University, other prestigious higher education institutions and research centers of the world.

Here, the Head of the state talked with employees of research institutes, scientists and young researchers.

“At one time, geology in Uzbekistan was one of the most developed, competitive branches of science. People even came fr om abroad to study with our geologists”.

Nevertheless, over the past thirty years, this area has been left unattended, we have lost the development potential. Scientists have lost motivation, and a new generation of specialists has not formed. However, geological research is necessary for all sectors of the economy. As a patient cannot be operated on without a diagnosis, it is impossible to develop industry without geology. Today we are laying the foundation for a scientific and educational institution, which will accelerate the development of the sphere”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President got acquainted with construction projects of the University of Geological Sciences. He gave instructions on construction of educational buildings and laboratories based on foreign experience, equipping them in accordance with their specifics, and efficient use of the territory.

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On January 31, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources, wh ere he met with scientists, young researchers, representatives of the manufacturing sector and heads of research institutions.

In Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to development of science, which this year will be further strengthened in accordance with the title of 2020. It is planned to solve current issues of the sphere and expand support for research activities. In particular, new institutions and directions will be organized.

On October 29, 2019, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On science and scientific activities” was adopted. To create a practical platform for implementing the law, the Republican Council on Science and Technology was organized.

The number of research institutions at the Academy of Sciences increased fr om 20 to 35. The elections to the academy were resumed. The Ministry of Innovative Development was organized, activities of a number of innovation centers, scientific clusters and technology parks were established.

Over the past three years, funding for science has quadrupled. The size of salaries of scientists has been tripled; separate allowances have been introduced for doctors and candidates of sciences.

Starting this year, organizations in the Academy of Sciences system are funded directly from the State budget.

At today’s meeting, the Head of the state noted that the material and moral support for scientists will be consistently continued.

“Now our scientists, deeply aware of their responsibility, should make a worthy contribution to development of relevant areas with their research and practical results from them. Both reputable academics and young people taking their first steps in science are required to be highly active and really effective”, the President said.

An open dialogue on prospects of mathematics, chemical and biological science, and geology in the country is taking place at the meeting, and development priorities are determined.

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At the meeting with scientists, young researchers, heads of scientific institutions and representatives of production, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the most important tasks facing national science.

As it is known, 2020 has been declared as the Year of Science, Enlightenment and Digital Economy Development in Uzbekistan, and priority goals have been set in these areas. Taking into account the existing scientific schools’ potential in the country, as well as based on national interests and directions of development at the present stage, this year it was decided to develop mathematics, chemistry, biology and geology.

Head of the state noted that potential of Uzbek mathematical science is highly appreciated in the world, Uzbekistan has established authoritative schools on functional analysis and differential equations, probability theory and algebra, and seven mathematical scientists are members of the World Academy of Sciences.

Many research projects are being implemented in collaboration with foreign research centers, including leading universities in Bonn, Cambridge, Paris and Seoul.

In accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on further development of mathematical education and science of July 9, 2019, a new building of the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences is being built in the campus in Tashkent based on modern requirements.

At the meeting, President touched upon the actual problems of introducing the results of mathematical research into practice and creating a solid foundation for digital economy.

It was noted that it is necessary to increase the interest of young people in mathematics, proper organization of work on selecting gifted children and attracting them to higher education institutions in the future. The task is to create children's textbooks and manuals on mathematics written in an accessible and popular language, form mathematical thinking from an early age in kindergartens.

“Mathematics is the basis of all exact sciences. A child who knows mathematics well will grow up prudent and will be able to work successfully in any field”, says the President.

Instruction was given to organize a school with a mathematical bias in each district center, and to pay allowances to teachers of such education institutions. Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Public Education are responsible for scientific-methodological support of schools.

The importance of conducting various mathematical competitions among schoolchildren, students and teachers, worthy of encouraging winners of such competitions and improving Olympiads system was noted.

The necessity of bringing the quality of education to a new level and introducing a system of national certification for evaluating mathematical knowledge was noted. Certificate holders will be awarded the maximum score in mathematics while entering the University.

It was indicated to increase the efficiency of training highly qualified teachers and personnel with a scientific degree, give full independence to the Council for awarding academic degrees at the Institute of Mathematics.

Instructions were given for holding international conferences in mathematics in the country, sending 100 scientists abroad annually to participate in scientific events and undergo training at the expense of the State budget and through El-Yurt Umidi Foundation.

Today, there are four chemical research institutions operating in Uzbekistan, with more than 250 researchers working in them. On the basis of their developments, the production of new types of fertilizers, defoliants, and plant growth stimulants is being established.

The President noted that the chemical industry is lim ited only to the production of mineral fertilizers, therefore, it is necessary to improve educational and scientific activities in this direction.

The importance of increasing the practical efficiency of scientific research and adapting research to the needs of industry enterprises was emphasized.

Uzkimyosanoat and Uzbekneftegaz JSCs have been instructed to organize experimental production laboratories with modern infrastructure at large industrial enterprises, and the Ministry of Innovative Development is responsible for activities of these laboratories for integration of science and production.

In order to improve the efficiency of using mineral resources, it was instructed to organize a scientific-experimental laboratory “Chemistry of coal and materials”, a scientific direction “Chemistry and technology of coal” at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences.

It was noted that it is necessary to organize new scientific institutions for creation of modern building materials, in particular, a network of laboratories specializing in research on new composite materials and innovative chemical technologies.

Biology is the fundamental and technological basis for development of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, medicine and food industry.

Today, seven research institutions with about 600 scientific employees are involved in this field of science.

President noted the observed trends in the world market and in international science and instructed to develop agro and biotechnologies in a comprehensive manner, including food science, biomedicine and pharmaceutical biotechnologies.

It was noted that it is important to study the composition of food and its impact on health, establish a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition among the population.

Tasks for improving the activities and strengthening material-technical base of the Institute of Botany were defined.

The necessity of creating a digital state cadastre of flora and fauna of Uzbekistan was noted. This will allow planning scientific research, determining biological protection measures and making important decisions regarding the development of the sphere.

Instructions were given to develop DNA and molecular technologies in medicine and pharmaceuticals, expand the use of genetic analysis, new biomaterials and biopolymers, and establish effective cooperation between research institutes and potential consumers.

Another priority area is geology, which is directly related to providing the industry with a mineral resource base.

More than 2 thousand deposits of more than 70 types of minerals have been discovered in Uzbekistan. However, there are fewer fields that could be easily developed.

Time itself dictates the need for geological study of deeper deposits, development of deposits of complex structure, which, in turn, requires widespread introduction of advanced scientific methods and innovative technologies.

University of Geological Science is being established in Tashkent for this purpose.

Head of the state noted that in order to further expand research in this sphere, it is necessary to intensify fundamental, applied and innovative research and to attract not only state but also foreign grants for this purpose.

The task was to set to combine the potential of geological science and mining- metallurgical plants, organize a modern laboratory of geoinnovation technologies.

Instructions were given for introduction of modern information technologies, implementation of Digital Geology and National Electronic Database of Rocks and Minerals projects, and teaching students the method of remote sensing of the earth based on high-precision satellite images.

The importance of supporting young researchers and stimulating the effectiveness of doctoral studies was noted.

In order to properly encourage doctoral students who defended their dissertation ahead of time, as well as their research supervisors or consultants, the President proposed to introduce into practice the full payment of their savings.

Responsible persons were instructed to develop a concept for development of science until 2030, providing for necessary measures for scientific, technological and innovative development in medium and long term.

Issues that are pending in various areas of science were discussed at the meeting. Head of the state gave instruction to responsible persons, taking into account the suggestions made by scientists and youth.

UzA