Putin Tells Scientists to Modernize Russia
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin urged the Russian Academy of Sciences to take the forefront in modernizing the country Tuesday, while scientists complained that a lack of funds meant that their contribution to scientific progress was minimal.
Putin, speaking at an annual gathering of the academy's 1,200 members, said the academy should generate fundamental scientific knowledge and act as a tool in the selection and promotion of Russia's intellectual elite.
"Definitely, the Russian Academy of Sciences and national science in general cannot stay away from the modernization agenda," Putin said, referring to President Dmitry Medvedev's ambitious plan to close a growing gap between technological development in Russia and the West.
Putin promised $1.6 billion, or $100 million less than last year, to cover the academy's needs. The amount is a fraction of the $36 billion that the government plans to spend on science, higher education and scientific research in 2010.
"Definitely, the Russian Academy of Sciences and national science in general cannot stay away from the modernization agenda," Putin said, referring to President Dmitry Medvedev's ambitious plan to close a growing gap between technological development in Russia and the West.
Putin promised $1.6 billion, or $100 million less than last year, to cover the academy's needs. The amount is a fraction of the $36 billion that the government plans to spend on science, higher education and scientific research in 2010.
