The head of the Oceanology Institute spoke about a reported demand from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education for Russian researchers to obtain mental health certificates. During the plenary session of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Robert Nigmatulin, the scientific director of Shirshov Institute, raised this issue and clarified that such a requirement had not been issued and its origin remained unclear.
This revelation came as the academy hosted its first General Assembly since the election of the new president, Academician Gennady Krasnikov, the previous autumn. The gathering was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Belousov, First Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Alexander Zhukov, and Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov.
Following a welcome address, the minister prepared to depart but paused at Krasnikov’s invitation to discuss pressing challenges at the institution. He was held at the podium while the discussion delved into the issues ahead rather than an immediate departure.
From the audience, Nigmatulin spoke on behalf of the Shirshov Institute, detailing a series of long standing concerns confronting the science sector. He highlighted persistent underfunding, a decline in expeditionary work, and the unsettling claim about mental health certificates, emphasizing the need for clarity and accountability in the funding and policy landscape affecting national research agendas.
His remarks underscored a broader call for respect toward the General Assembly and recognition of the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with the audience responding with strong applause that reflected shared concern and support for constructive debate.
Earlier reports indicated that the assembly would review the initial results of the new leadership and consider ways to strengthen the academy’s role in science and technology. It was indicated that findings from planned and unplanned audits would guide recommendations on funding, modernization of instrumentation, and staffing for scientific institutes. The academy plans to forward these proposals to the government and, if current trends persist, there could be similar discussions extended to other departments in the future.