NASU institutions present 600 advanced developments at Festival of Science

By Svetlana Sytina
The Ukrainian Times

During the Festival of Science, which took place in late May, 48 institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) showcased 600 advanced developments in the sphere of public health services, information technologies, machine building, power engineering, agriculture, housing facilities and public utilities. Some innovations are unique in world practice.

Ukrainian scientists presented the cost-efficient electrodynamic treatment of parts that solves the problem of deterioration of bridges, pipelines, ships and nuclear reactors.

For the first time, students of lycees participated in the festival. The students demonstrated their capabilities to authorities, or, to be precise, only one official representative of the Ukrainian state who did not spurn their invitation. According to NASU vice-president Anton Naumovets, this year the authorities showed no interest in the Festival of Science.

At the same time, the Embassy of France in Ukraine, which supports the festival every year, has organized several interesting events. In particular, it showed popular-science films designed for different age groups.

A scientific attache said active participation of the French in the festival was aimed at cooperation and integration of scientific schools of the two countries. Remarkably, it was Igor Dotsenko, alumnus of the Kiev State University, who represented the French school in Ukraine. He has delivered the lecture entitled “How to Harness Photon” at the festival. Currently, Mr. Dotsenko is working in a Paris-based group of researchers led by Serge Haroche, winner of the 2012 Nobel prize in physics.

Overall, a thousand events or so took place in large cities within the framework of the Festival of Science. Importantly, the festival showed that however the so-called authorities wish it, Ukrainian science is not finished and its specter has been raised so as to haunt Europe at the least.