Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with students and staff of Far Eastern State University
Vladimir Putin: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the beginning of the new academic year. Your university is very large. As your director said, you have a student body of 41,000. Even on the country's scale, this is a very impressive figure. Your collective is big and has a fine history and good traditions. I am sure you have found life interesting here.
But let's get down to details. You know that the government is planning to expand the University. In effect, it wants to establish a federal university on its basis - with a complete overhaul of its facilities - and move it to Russky Island. But, of course, everything you have will be owned by the territorial and city authorities, and I hope, they will make thrifty use of property, above all in the interests of science and education, and use its land to provide the best possible conditions for study and research. As regards the federal university, we hope the project will meet the highest quality and technology standards.
I am not sure if you know it, but we are planning to allocate a considerable sum of money for the scheme. I must say we have never before set aside so much for such purposes, at least not in Russia's most recent history. It is almost 300 billion roubles ($12.06 billion, or €8.35 billion), or 280 billion roubles if I am to be precise. Of this amount, 202 billion roubles will be a federal contribution, and the rest will come from territorial and extra-budgetary sources.
It is my hope that this centre will not be just another higher educational establishment, but will become a real intellectual center in the Far East, a centre of attraction, a powerhouse of sorts for Russia’s Far East. And not just for Russia, but also as an educational and research centre - for the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole.
Here I would like to wind up my one-man speech. Once again I congratulate you on the start of a new academic year and wish you all the best. Now you are welcome to open a free discussion. I am sure you have questions to ask, wishes to express and things to say. Please go ahead.
Igor Tufanov: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Igor Tufanov. I am a fourth-year student at the Mathematics and Computer Science Institute. We mathematicians are worried. Over the past several years our Institute has had problems enrolling students. This is due above all to the low standards of mathematical knowledge among school-leavers and a decline in their interest in mathematics. Russia runs a large network of subject-specific contests, including in mathematics, informatics, and natural sciences. But Far Eastern school students, unfortunately, are not always able to attend all-Russia contests, simply because travel fares to central Russia are too high.
My other question is: don't you think our education system is leaning towards the humanities? And if so, how do you propose to deal with that trend?
Vladimir Putin: You have asked several questions in one. The first and most important one concerns high fares for rail and air travel to European Russia. The second deals with the number of specialists trained in the humanities and natural sciences.
You see everything in the modern world is driven by requirements of the labour market. You and I know well that in the early and middle 1990s there was a high demand for such specialities as economics, management and everything related to them. It is understandable why. Because the most money was made there. And where earnings are high they make for much of the appeal of some or other skill or occupation.
Today – and I am pleased to state this – there is a growing interest in the natural sciences. The reason is that we are entering a new and different phase in our country’s development. More and more attention is being given to real production. And real production without fundamental science is impossible.
These are all links of one chain. And I hope that these activities, these fields – engineering, fundamental and applied sciences – will grow in popularity
Now to travel issues. I know that Far Eastern students fret about remarks made by some of our colleagues from Moscow, Russian Railways chief executives, that students are going to be stripped of travel breaks. I made a special study of the matter yesterday. We will not abolish these breaks. Those who are economically-minded will understand me: for a company like Russian Railways, which is after all a joint-stock company, breaks which are not compensated for by the state involve missing revenue. How can the company compensate for its missing revenue? We have found out how. The state is the company's majority shareholder and each year is entitled to dividends. But we will leave some of these dividends with the company. That is about 1.5 billion roubles. So student breaks will remain for the next year. This concerns not only students in the Far East but all other regions of Russia. This is the first point.
The second point is air travel from the Far East to European Russia and back again. The next year's budget for the first time provides for compensation to airlines that practice such flights. Therefore we strongly hope that the prices, if not fall, which we would like them to do, will at least not rise further. If I have answered to your satisfaction, I would like to finish here to enable others to speak up.
Stanislav Mironenko: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Stanislav Mironenko, I am from the physical culture and sports faculty. As a Master of Sport in track and field, I would like to know how you rate the results of the Olympic Games and the performance of our national team.
Vladimir Putin: I give their performance a satisfactory mark, although it could have been better. Since, as always, the counting is done in medals, we have fewer of them than at the previous Games. But ultimately, of course, that is some indicator. We are also perfectly aware that our neighbours in the East, the Chinese athletes, trained particularly hard for these Olympic Games, because they hosted them. Properly speaking, the medals we let go went to them and to some other countries: Britain, for example, collected more medals than last time.
But our team is young and has much young blood. And it is showing much promise. So I consider it performed well. Those of our athletes who have achieved outstanding results - we have many of them - should be congratulated and praised.
Stanislav Mironenko: I think it would be a good thing for sports development, particularly in the case of the University, to build here a large all-round facility including track and field pits, an all-purpose gym, and a swimming pool. A center catering only to student sports, and nothing else. Many of our national teams hire and lease the University's sports grounds. Such a facility is a must. Will the government support us?
Vladimir Putin: I have already spoken of the plans to build a practically new University campus. I think you are right and we should give thought to building sports structures, too.
Stanislav Mironenko: I also think the facility should be provided with a full-sized medical institution to oversee sports all the way up from student sport to top achievements. Why? Because the Chinese, whose pharmaceutical industry is at a high level, produced very good results at the Olympic Games.
Vladimir Putin: I agree, but it is not enough to develop this sector within your University alone, this should be done on the scale of the whole country. Otherwise we will make no progress. But this is not ruling out that one of such activities could be university research. Surely, it is so.
In general, you have raised a very important problem. I still remember that back in the days of the Soviet Union I used the services of similar sports medical centres. The country had a well-developed network of sports medicine then. I, for one, as a member of the Leningrad judo team, was on file at one such health clinic, made regular visits there and enjoyed their services. It was not a bad system. Unfortunately, later in the 1990s, it was abolished and now needs restoring.
Stanislav Mironenko: Student sport is in a sort of limbo. Many when at school practice sport, try to continue it in their student years, and drop it altogether in adulthood.
Vladimir Putin: You know Kazan has won the right to host the Student Sports Games. I strongly hope they will provide an incentive for the development of student sports in the country.
Stanislav Mironenko: Our University team won the Russian Track and Field Championships in Bryansk, and we are now going to Russia's first Student Games in Kazan.
Vladimir Putin: Did you compete?
Stanislav Mironenko: Yes, I did.
Vladimir Putin: And also won?
Stanislav Mironenko: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: My congratulations.
Stanislav Mironenko: Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Next, please.
Alyona Sharafanova: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Alyona Sharafanova. I am a fourth-year student at the Law Institute.
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleague.
Alyona Sharafanova: We keep track of all your speeches. On August 4, 2008, at a meeting of the Cabinet, you spoke of the Far Eastern Federal University and said a new university combining research and education should be established, although some thought was also to be given to programmes for the development of the existing University.
Vladimir Putin: Oh, no. You're slightly wrong. I said that today when we are putting together plans for the building of a new campus, new lecture rooms, accommodation for faculty members, and if we want the University to be ready and start functioning on time, we should be thinking of its new curricula already now. That was what I said.
Alyona Sharafanova: This leads me to another question. Does it mean that construction of such new facilities as a hostel, a sports centre, and housing for young academics, post-graduates and lecturers on the island could divert attention from the development of the mainland project?
Vladimir Putin: Our main discussion focussed mainly on the building of new facilities on Russky Island. Regarding development of the mainland, such a prospect is not ruled out. But the federal funds are not stretchable - I have already mentioned that they, or 202 billion roubles ($8.12 billion, or €5.62 billion), will be basically used to develop Russky.
However, a lot is also being done here. The building we are currently in is the best example. The rector just now reported how much extra-budgetary funds you are receiving. That is a sizeable sum, and generally the money is spent in a thoughtful way. With advice from the Ministry of Science and Education, I think you should decide what of the University is to be left on the mainland, choosing the best and discarding the least effective. And doing that in an economically sensible way, so that you obtain profits and can plough them into development.
Alyona Sharafanova: Thank you very much.
Vladimir Putin: Next, please.
Igor Filippov: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Igor Filippov. I am a fifth-year student at the Institute of Teacher Training and Education.
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon.
Igor Filippov: I mix a lot with friends and colleagues. And a feeling grows on me that there is a slight doubt about the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit being held in Vladivostok.
Vladimir Putin: You fill me with optimism. You said "a slight doubt". That's something. Earlier, no one believed in anything.
Igor Filippov: Could the summit in Vladivostok be cancelled? And what will then happen to the ambitious construction plans?
Vladimir Putin: No. If the summit takes place in Russia, and unless our opposite numbers change their minds, it will meet in Vladivostok, not anywhere else. I assure you Russia will do all in its power to implement these plans. If, for some reason, the summit goes elsewhere - it is hard to say what that reason might be, but theoretically anything is possible - we will still push on with our plans. I really must tell you that all these international events are, of course, important for the country, but its development is more important. This is the principle we are guided by, and I have always viewed such events as a way of bringing financial and administrative resources bear on the development of a particular region, in this case, the Far Eastern region.
Igor Filippov: Thank you. I now have more arguments to support my case.
Vladimir Putin: Right.
Vladislav Sklyanov: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Vladislav Sklyanov and I am a third-year student at the financial faculty of the University.
I asked you a question in a live TV Q&A session in the autumn of 2007. In your reply, you advised me to stay in Primorye. I promised I would and intend to keep my word. But we, young people, are worried by a drain of population from Primorye, especially among the upwardly mobile. The reasons are many. I, for one, see them in poor job and career prospects, high rail and air travel fares, as mentioned by a previous questioner, and prohibitive housing prices. We have big hopes for the summit. Nevertheless I personally consider that the problem needs to be solved now. I would like to know what steps are being taken by the government and state leadership to address this issue before the summit.
Vladimir Putin: The summit or the plans for the summit are unlikely to solve the problems of the Far East and East Siberia. That goes without saying. The summit, I repeat, will only give some impetus to the development of the region, no more. As for the overall perspective, we have a federal programme, one of only a few, which focuses specifically on the Far East. The programme fleshes out the details of a plan to develop the area. What is central to the plan? Infrastructure and electricity. New jobs and a more active promotion of innovative ideas than perhaps in other places. Russia’s Far East must become part and parcel of the Asia-Pacific Rim and contribute to the development of the Russian economy as a whole.
Now, concerning the power industry. Only yesterday my colleagues and I discussed the issue. We have big plans for new generating capacities and plants. Which, without a doubt, is the basic pre-condition for economic development in general.
Regarding travel fares. Fares must be economically sustainable for the carriers. We will make them such, of course - I have already said next year we are beginning to subsidise them. But that way leads nowhere. A better way is raising the incomes of the local population so that the fares are economically feasible for the carriers. But for now we will have to subsidise them. And continue to do so for a long time yet. Our current concerns will be with new jobs and higher incomes for the population. There are no other options. We will hammer away at precisely these programmes.
But I do hope and believe that life here will get busier and fuller. The establishment of a federal university is just one piece of the plan. It seems to me that once the university becomes a really international hub of science and education, this of itself will be magnet enough to attract young talent and young researchers.
Vladimir Ivanovich told me what equipment and how much of it you have already bought. It all began with a grant in 2006. Equipment is what is desperately sought by young researchers throughout the country. I hope University specialists will soon feel the difference.
Any more questions, please?
Question: Good afternoon, Mr Putin.
University students have always been the most active and organized group of young Russians. At least, this is the way I see them, and so do many of my colleagues. Here at the Far Eastern University, we give a lot of attention to student activities. We have a united student council, which I head. Our programmes and projects are supported by the university board and personally by Rector Vladimir Kurilov.
We put forth a new initiative in November 2007, to start an interregional youth movement, Students for Russia's Future Together with President. Initially, we wanted to call it "Students for Russia's Future Together with Putin and Medvedev."
Vladimir Putin: Good.
Head of the student council: Mr Kurilov supported it, too. But lawyers tell me we need your written permission to organize this movement.
Vladimir Putin: And you tried and failed to reach me, right?
Head of the student council: In fact, yes. We have been working intensively during the parliamentary and presidential elections. We also helped in the elections of Vladivostok mayor. And I can say that those students who came to the elections before we initiated the movement were different from those who came after we did.
I would like to ask you what you think about starting a nation-wide student movement, I mean only for university students. University students are the future politicians, businessmen, and government officials. Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: What kind of movement do you have in mind? I would appreciate it if you explained it in more detail. Do you mean a political organisation?
Head of the student council: Yes. Members of this movement will participate in the country's political life. I think it is something society lacks now.
Vladimir Putin: I have said publicly on various occasions that, personally, I welcome all kinds of movements and organisations, with different goals and philosophies. It is important that young people take an active stance, that they feel involved in positive processes promoting the development of our country and society, and feel that they are a part of the country’s development. I think it is very important. But it will depend on the students themselves.
I think it should be an active student organisation, not a bureaucratic one. If you successfully avoid getting bogged down in red tape, you can be sure that your initiative will be supported at the topmost level - by the President and Government. I happen to know what President Dmitry Medvedev thinks about it. He has long been a university professor and knows a lot about student life. I can say he is an expert in those things. I am certain the president will support the initiative. I will, too. You've had a field day today, by the way - you have mentioned your rector's name three times to me. I bet he'll remember.
Maxim Pryazhenikov: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Maxim Pryazhenikov. I am a fifth-year student at the Law Institute. I would like to explain something before I ask my question.
Those who have gathered here today represent not just their university, but also various public associations. We have concluded in the past three years of public activities that a university creates a certain social environment. The Far Eastern University has been performing this function successfully.
In the past three years, several strong territorial public movements emerged here, uniting students of different colleges, not just from this university. Now these public associations are ready to assume more active roles in implementing the government's youth policies. We have the necessary resources, personnel, experience, ambition and enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, we are facing financial problems. We know about the tenders for Public Chamber grants that have been held for three years already. We will certainly file our bids for the next one, present our projects, but we also know from experience that these grants are usually awarded to organisations registered in Central European Russia. Very few grants are allocated for the Far East. In this connection, I have a proposal and a question. Is there a possibility that the Government could launch a territorial grant programme for youth assocoations, for the Far-Eastern region?
Vladimir Putin: Do you mean to support associations engaged in some public activities or purely research and educational societies?
Maxim Pryazhenikov: Let's say we have youth associations with very broad interests. We promote healthy lifestyles, such as HIV/AIDS awareness and drugs, we also work on civil and patriotic education - I also mean the movement Alexander has just mentioned here. We also tackle other spheres, including student research.
Vladimir Putin: Maxim, as far as research goes, I am certain that it is possible. Only We wouldn’t like to issue grants according to territory or region; we would prefer to make the choice based on how effectively a student association works and how prepared it is to do independent scientific research. It should be based on a fair competition, and best projects should be picked regardless of the region they come from.
No preferences should be given to any university because of its location.
Our decision to spend a fair amount of government resources in this region to establish this scientific research centre is perfectly justified. But it won't be if we allocate funds to institutions by territory.
What I mean is, no one should expect to have special privileges because of one's location. Even if a person lives in the Far North, it is a personal choice.
Yes, I agree that we need to develop Russia's Far East and motivate people to stay here by creating a beneficial environment. And yes, this depends on the Government to a large extent. It is also true that we have lost much of what was built earlier, even before the 1917 Bolshevik revolution and then during the Soviet time.
It wasn't much, in fact. The Governor and I looked at it together yesterday: the region does not even have a unified energy system. Its isolation from the European part of Russia did not emerge only yesterday. It is a long-term result of the Far East development policy. But it does not mean we should continue along the same lines. We need to change this situation.
As for grants, they should be given to those who know best how to use them.
Public activities are a different issue. They should not be financed by the Government directly. If you are working within the university, the university management could have provided some support, say, from its non-budget funds.
Maxim Pryazhenikov: I'd like to add something. The administration of the university supports absolutely all projects that are important to the university and to the region. But significant funds are required to realize large-scale projects at the regional level. We have already won several grants and have relevant experience. All the projects we realized using that money proved most effective and had considerable social effect. But, unfortunately, such grant programmes have been terminated. We'll seek new sources of financing.
Vladimir Putin: Grant programmes are not terminated. First, we'll keep on with the grants-related work. Second, we have adopted a rather good programme of training scientific and educational specialists. Significant funds are allocated in the framework of these programmes. You can get money from this source as well.
Kirill Vinnikov: Good afternoon, Mr President, my name is Kirill Vinnikov. I've recently completed my postgraduate studies. Now I lecture in biology.
Vladimir Putin: Do you work here?
Kirill Vinnikov: Yes, I work at Far Eastern State University. My question regards marine research. Our university is located near the Sea of Japan, on the Pacific Ocean coast.
Vladimir Putin: I know.
Kirill Vinnikov: And we know about the achievements of the Russian expedition Arktika 2007. Our university, in cooperation with the Far Eastern Department of the Academy of Sciences, effectively carries out marine research, robotics in particular. Thanks to the national priority project we managed to purchase a unique underwater robot.
Vladimir Putin: I know. What do you call it?
Kirill Vinnikov: Comanch. It is capable of doing unique research on the shelf as well as on the seabed up to a depth of 6 km. We also opened an underwater robotics department and are ready to train corresponding specialists - unique in Russia. In this country, only the Bauman Moscow State Technical University trains such specialists and those are actually experts in a slightly different area.
As a matter of fact, the federal universities are primarily research institutions. Maritime research demands heavy costs, because a research vessel and specific labs are needed. The university can't afford to pay for it. I've got a question: How will the Government help the federal university to make this research area internationally competitive?
Vladimir Putin: I see. It all comes down to the question, "Hey you, where's the money?"
Kirill Vinnikov: More or less.
Vladimir Putin: You will get it. It's not by chance that we set up all these universities. They are not that numerous actually. Andrey, how many universities did we plan to establish? Three? In the future the number will be increased to five or six. Now there are only three of them. We allocate considerable funds for the development of these universities - the money is envisaged in the federal budget. There is another category of higher schools we allocate money for. Those are research universities. They are located mainly in the European part of Russia, in the so-called capital cities. But it is a different category.
According to our idea, the Federal University is to become a major regional educational and student research centre. Of course, relevant funds will need to be allocated for research work. On the other hand, I'd like to attract your attention to the fact that the equipment you mentioned is rather costly. We have arrived at a decision together with the Academy of Sciences - the right one, I believe - to set up centres of collective use. Here you have a department of the Academy of Sciences.
By the way, in the framework of research development in the Far East, we intend to pay the necessary attention to the development of the Far Eastern Department of the Academy of Sciences. You must have heard about the creation a new additional centre on Russky Island. We certainly plan to equip it with modern technical devices.
I hope that the relations between your university and the Far Eastern Department of the Academy of Sciences will be mutually beneficial in the future, as they have always been. You'll be able to find common language with your elder colleagues concerning using equipment, which will also be located on the territories of the Academy of Sciences.
By the way, the oceanarium to be built there will be used not only for excursions but also for research. We'll allocate state funds and companies' investments for it. And the money is not that small. For example, Transneft, which is developing the shelf - I was there yesterday, you might have learnt about it from the media - is building a terminal for oil and oil products transshipment. They took on extra commitment - they are financing the construction of the oceanarium. But I repeat: it's not only a site the general public will visit to see the bioresources of the Far East - it's above all a research center.
Alexei Ognev: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. I am Alexei Ognev. I also lecture at Far Eastern State University. Also, I work at the research laboratory of the University. We study nanotechnologies. In 2006-2007, the national priority project Education was realized at the University - we received unique scientific equipment. For example, my laboratory got equipment costing 120 million rubles ($4.83 million, or €3.34 million) in total. It's world-class equipment. Later, in the framework of this project, the University participated in the Federal Targeted Programme Development of the Nanotechnologies Industry Infrastructure. The administration of the university decided to allocate all funds for nanoelectronics. We're creating a world-class experimental cluster. Correspondingly, the next step, as we see it, is launching trial nanoelectronics production. So, my question is: Can we reckon on your support as regards creating technology parks?
Vladimir Putin: No doubt, you can. I can't say anything particular about the technology parks, but, generally speaking, this research area has been rendered very important in this country. The world pays much attention to it. You know, we have a separate budget line regarding this sphere. We allocate practically as much funding for nanotechnologies as for fundamental science.
We set up a special fund for nanotechnologies. Some 180 billion roubles ($7.24 billion, or €5.01 billion) is planned for this sort of research work. At the same time I'd like to stress that, using modern communication technologies, researchers can join the mutual all-nation research network, no matter where they are and at what organizations they work.
We also hope that it will be an international project, rather than a national one. We'd like our CIS colleagues to join in. This work requires joining intellectual efforts of everyone who can contribute. We haven't duly organized the work in Russia yet. As to the other CIS states, it appears even harder there. But it is essential both for them and for us to involve their intellectual resources. And - I'd like to once again emphasize it - it doesn't depend on the researcher's location. I'm sure you understand it perfectly well. It's not a Vladivostok-Moscow flight, where you have to pay much money for your airline ticket. With modern communications, the matter can be easily settled.
I very much hope that, if there is demand for what you do, you will get the funding and join in the common effort. Many Russian scientific and educational centres are already becoming involved in this work. I assure you that this will be easy to accomplish if you work to high professional standards.
Any more questions?
Svetlana Goncharova: Good afternoon, Mr. Putin. My name is Svetlana Goncharova. I am an academic secretary of the R&D Department and a lecturer at the Biochemistry and Bioengineering Department. I have a question that is in a way similar to the previous one. It is common knowledge that bioengineering has become a high-priority aspect of science and technology. The university, together with the Academy of Sciences and production associations, is setting up bioengineering parks in the Far Eastern region. The parks will reproduce valuable hydrobionts, developing medications based on relict plants and animals unique for the Far East.
Vladimir Putin: Leave the animals alone. We are already making medications from them. Let them live.
Svetlana Goncharova: Yes, of course. Can we expect the Government to support these centres? And what aspects of bioengineering are the most promising for national development?
Vladimir Putin: I'm sorry, what's your name again?
Svetlana Goncharova: Svetlana.
Vladimir Putin: Sveta, do you also want me to tell you how many animals we need to eat to feel good? I think it is people like you, other scientists and the market who should chart the most promising research avenues in this sphere.
Unfortunately, Russia has a rudimentary and virtually non-existent pharmaceutical industry. So almost any project in this sphere would be useful. Although there are many Russian medications on the market, most popular medications are imported from other countries.
The Russian pharmaceutical industry mostly turns out primitive medical products from last century, such as anticeptic, bandages and I don't know what else. We have to import all hi-tech and effective medications. The pharmaceutical industry's profit rate is much higher than that in the oil and gas sector. This highly profitable industry has a good future in the context of market economics.
The market determines demand. You need to choose the most promising products. Naturally, the Government will support your efforts. Although market economics implies that we should not support some sectors, we are ready to deviate from this concept and to support your high-profit sphere. We are ready to do this in line with several government-backed programmes. All you have to do is tell us about specific projects requiring federal support.
Svetlana Goncharova: Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: They are trying to get me away from you; but I would like to talk to you for a while longer.
Go ahead, please.
Yury Dubovoi: Mr. Putin, my name is Yury Dubovoi, and I am a student at the Far Eastern State University's Physics and Information Technology Institute. World Ocean studies and underwater robot technology have already been mentioned here. This year, I was involved in underwater robot technology international competition in San Diego. Our team consisted solely of Far Eastern residents. Although we had never take part in such competitions before, we won eighth place among 25 foreign teams. In effect, this is a successful beginning.
I plan to continue working in this sphere, especially since the Far Eastern State University has set up a new robot-technology department this year. I would like to ask whether the Government is planning any national projects, grants and programmes for supporting such research, so that Russia could achieve leading positions in this sphere and so that it would not have to buy foreign equipment.
Vladimir Putin: I would very much like us to get to this level of technology. To the best of my knowledge, the deep-sea submersibles Mir, now working in Lake Baikal are made in Russia. In principle, this sphere is well-developed. Its short-term future, attractiveness and effectiveness depend on you.
I have talked to the university rector, who said he was concerned about training specialists using imported equipment. I know that our specialists, including those in the Navy, have operated foreign-made equipment. Unfortunately, they have not always been up to the mark and therefore require additional training. Naturally, it would be better to manufacture such equipment in Russia.
I have already noted our decision to facilitate the development of academic research. It is my opinion that Vladivostok, your university and its scientific base that will continue to develop, must lead the way in the field of marine research because Russia lacks any similar facilities. Although Russia has access to the Arctic Ocean, only the Navy can effectively operate there. Research in ice-bound areas is very difficult.
Russia's Far East and Vladivostok must be the main centre of research in this sphere. Naturally, the Government will support you. I have already mentioned this oceanarium. We need to speed up its development. How much does it cost?
Yury Dubovoi: I see. Naturally. Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Fursenko, how are the tenders going?
Andrei Fursenko: Everything is going well and ...
Vladimir Putin: Right, thank you, that's enough (Laughter). Please, say a few words, Andrei.
Andrei Fursenko: The Academy has issued 100 million rouble ($4 million) grants to develop new biological preparations. But I know that university representatives are also working hard.
A robot technology centre mostly works on Defence Ministry contracts. University experts working at the centre have developed robots with similar parameters. Although they lack manipulators, they have broad applications. It is very important that this chair would operate not only foreign-made equipment but also the robots that are being developed at the new centre, which, as you know, is being built in Vladivostok.
Speaking of grants, I want to draw attention to your statement, Mr. Putin. The ambitious programme Scientific and Pedagogical Personnel aims to support teams of young researchers and stipulates substantial three-year grants. Starting with 2009, 450 grants will be issued each year. The programme will also start financing purchases of unique hi-tech equipment next year. I'm calling on everyone to take part in the first tenders, due to be held starting with late October. I can say the number of grants being won by scientists in Russia's Far East exceeds the nationwide average. Your success depends on the number of applications.
Vladimir Putin: This is quite impressive. Any more questions?
Nikolai Brilikov: Good afternoon, Mr. Putin. My name is Nikolai Brilikov, and I'm a second-year student at the Physics and Information Technology Institute. I have a question for you and Governor Darkin. We are contacting students all over Russia, including in Moscow, and we know that Mayor Yury Luzhkov has ordered local authorities to issue cheap student passes. Could you spread this experience to other Russian cities, including Vladivostok.
Vladimir Putin: I believe this is possible. But you should address this question to Governor Darkin.
Sergei Darkin: Vladivostok used to offer cheap student passes. All major cities in the Primorye Territory are doing the same. As far as I know, the Mayor of Vladivostok has supported the decision to retain this bonus in 2008.
Nikolai Brilikov: When students ask bus drivers for cheap passes, they tell us that we need to buy ordinary tickets like everybody else, that there are no benefits for students.
Sergei Darkin: All students should buy student passes.
Vladimir Putin: Are student passes cheaper?
Sergei Darkin: Yes, student passes cost 50% less.
Vladimir Putin: What exactly don't you like? Do you want to get a free ride? (Everybody laughing). So, do students have cheap passes or not?
Sergei Darkin: The Vladivostok City Hall approved a 50% discount for students for travel in public transport.
Vladimir Putin: Does it really matter whether the passes are financed out of regional, territorial or municipal budgets?
Nikolai Brilikov: We cannot take advantage of this because we don't have any passes; and we would like the university to issue them.
Vladimir Putin: Wait a minute. If you can buy the pass at a 50% discount, then what seems to be the problem?
Nikolai Brilikov: The problem is we cannot buy them.
Vladimir Putin: Technically speaking, you can get passes; but, in reality, they are not sold anywhere. Good job. In short, this benefit only exists on paper. Mr. Darkin, what can you say?
Sergei Darkin: I will deal with it.
Remark: Mr. Putin, may I say a few words?
Vladimir Putin: Please.
Polina Popkova: My name is Polina Popkova, and I am a second-year student at the Ecology, Marine Biology and Bioengineering Academy. I simply wanted to thank you for this meeting and for answering questions of interest to us. This is very important to us. And it's very important to know that the Far East and high-priority spheres will continue to develop, and that the oceanarium will be built. This is a very important step. And the summit will also be held here. Thank you very much for this.
Since our meeting is drawing to a close, I would like very much to ask you...
Vladimir Putin: In other words, you are telling me to get out of here?
Polina Popkova: Not at all. I didn't mean it like that, it is very interesting to talk to you. But we understand that you will have to leave soon and only wanted to ask you to pose for a photo with us.
Vladimir Putin: Then that's what we are going to do. In conclusion, I would like to once again congratulate you on the new academic year. As we go, we will see many students coming in and out. Such hustle and bustle is typical of any major university. Although I cannot meet with every student, I would like to congratulate all students in Vladivostok, Russia's Far East and across the nation on the start of the new academic year and to wish them every success. Thank you very much.
