Valery Falkov Notes Russia’s Science Outlook Amid Sanctions, Aims for Major Mega-Science Projects
Valery Falkov, who leads Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, asserted that Western sanctions have not halted the nation’s scientific progress. He emphasized that 2025 is poised to witness the launch of one of the world’s largest mega-science endeavors on Russian soil, the NICA collider located in Dubna. This update underscores a broader narrative: the ability of Russia to press forward with ambitious research infrastructure despite the geopolitical and economic pressures that have shaped the scientific landscape in recent years. The claim was reported by TASS, the state news agency.
Falkov highlighted that 2022 marked a pivotal year for Russia’s research ecosystem, underscoring the successful adaptation of the entire system of research and development to new challenges. He framed the year as a turning point where the country demonstrated resilience and flexibility in aligning scientific activity with evolving strategic priorities, even as external conditions demanded rapid adjustment across universities, institutes, and laboratories.
He went on to note that the national project Science and Universities did not lose momentum. He described how various initiatives within the State Program for Scientific and Technological Development were kept on track, with concrete progress across several mega-science facilities. In Falkov’s view, the most ambitious objective for the current year is the launch of the NICA collider, and he expressed confidence in achieving that milestone. The commitment to such facilities reflects a broader strategy to sustain high-end experimental science and to keep Russia integrated into global research networks, even when confronted with sanctions and budgetary headwinds.
Separately, there was mention of an educational policy shift, with a former Minister of Education and Science indicating that universities should prepare for the introduction of an updated history course tailored to non-core specialties. This reflects an ongoing effort to realign curricula with broader national educational goals and workforce needs, ensuring that higher education remains relevant in a rapidly changing knowledge economy.