KFU hosting 3rd Organization of Islamic Cooperation Youth Scientific Congress
The event once again brought together researchers, experts, representatives of international organizations, and innovators. Approximately 100 young scientists were selected from over 1,000 applications in fields including biomedicine and biotechnology; architecture, design, and art; international relations and law; modern educational technologies; geology and petroleum science.
Representatives from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UAE, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Algeria, and other countries are joining the congress.
Welcoming remarks at the opening of the congress were delivered by Azat Kadyrov, Minister of Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan; Marat Gatin, Aide to the Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan and Deputy Chairman of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group; and Dmitry Tayursky, First Vice-Rector of Kazan Federal University. Participants also received greetings from Dmitry Afanasyev, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. “It was in this very hall, almost 200 years ago, that the great Russian scientist and Rector of Kazan University, Nikolai Ivanovich Lobachevsky, delivered a landmark speech on the education of the younger generation, and this resonates very well with the focus of the congress,” Tayursky noted.
KFU places great emphasis on youth science: it has over 150 scientific clubs and student societies, 8 youth labs, and a university startup studio. The First Vice-Rector emphasized in his speech that young scientists from the university win prestigious awards every year.
“I am very pleased to see in this hall young scientists from more than 25 countries who have passed the selection process and earned the right to participate in this significant event. I am confident that the heated discussions and debates that await us will allow you to make significant progress in understanding the role and place of science in modern society, to shape your own path, your own vision of career development, in order to serve science, the prosperity of your countries, and the entire world,” concluded Dr Tayursky.
On behalf of the Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Minister of Youth Affairs addressed the participants.
“I believe that in the future, we will continue to expand opportunities for the development of your projects and will attract enterprises so that your developments and scientific ideas can be implemented. I wish you constructive work, and most importantly, to find new friends and new acquaintances, to support and develop them, and to enjoy your stay in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan,” said Kadyrov.
In his speech, Marat Gatin explained in detail how the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group was established in 2006 at the behest of President Vladimir Putin to further strengthen and expand ties between our countries. Today, it comprises 34 foreign members and 44 representatives from Russia. Greetings from Iqbal Choudhary, General Coordinator of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), were also shown at the ceremony.
The congress continued with a panel session on The Role of Science in Strengthening Public Welfare in the Context of New Global Challenges, featuring experts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Palestine. Timirkhan Alishev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of Kazan Federal University, moderated the session.
“We live in an era of unprecedented global challenges, and the question arises: how can science not only help us understand these problems but also help improve well-being? In other words, we’re talking about how scientific results can be applied in our lives,” he said.
The discussion covered the following topics: health as the foundation of public well-being; education as a factor in sustainable development; eco-engineering and energy efficiency for the comfort of city residents; and protection of the population from natural disasters. The speakers also discussed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ways to engage young people in scientific projects.
Among the numerous congress participants is Abdulmumin Abdullah Ibrahim, a first-year master’s student at the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies. He is presenting a paper on geological methods for extracting hard-to-recover reserves.
“It’s important to share your ideas at events like these. Here you can make useful contacts and gain valuable scientific experience,” the IGPT student told the journalists.
Mubashra Anis from Pakistan will speak about educational technologies.
“I participated in the 1st Youth Scientific Congress in 2022. That’s when I got to know Kazan’s culture, and I especially loved the Kul Sharif Mosque. And I’m here, in part, to see this city again,” she commented.
The organizers of the congress are KFU and the Academy of Youth Diplomacy with support from the Government of Tatarstan, COMSTECH, and the Gorchakov Foundation for Public Diplomacy.