What is most important in life? Prosperity? Security? Surely yes — since both are vital for a stable society and state. Key issues guiding the country’s development were recently discussed at a meeting between the President and heads of leading media, looking at the most vital aspects of life in Belarusian society: from youth problems to modernisation of enterprises, the situation in the banking sphere and foreign policy. Read more in Conversation to the Point.More than 500 leading scientists from organisations across the CIS, Europe and Asia recently gathered at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus to warmly celebrate its 85th anniversary. Besides being colleagues, many were old friends. The NAS liaises with scientists from 70 countries, and many wished to convey their personal congratulations. Delegations arrived from Russia, Ukraine, China, Lithuania, Poland; from CIS countries, as well as from Europe and Asia. Among the esteemed guests were various leaders of the globe’s top scientific organisations.
The honoured guest of the anniversary celebrations was Nobel Prize laureate Zhores Alferov, the Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The academic delivered a report on the latest 20th century technologies at the opening of the international conference and noted that he views Belarus’ work in the fields of quantum optics and physics as being among the most significant. He also sees our huge potential in the field of biology — especially in reference to medical progress, information technologies and new diagnostic methods.
He explained, “I’ve always highly praised Belarusian science. Belarus is among the leaders across post-Soviet territory — primarily because it is developing its high technologies and hi-tech industries. People cannot do without the Academy of Sciences.”
On the eve of its anniversary, the Academy of Sciences published its top ten achievements of the year. Physicists have created a new kind of hyperbolic meta-material with unique characteristics: on the one hand, they are absolutely absorbing; on the other hand, they are absolutely leaky. Mathematicians have created new models and methods of solving stability problems and material scientists have developed the technology for reception of current-carrying paints based on nano-sized silver particles that will help in the creation of electronic schemes. The achievements of neurophysiologists, geophysicists, economists, agrarians, art historians and historians were listed. Read more on this fascinating topic in our Scientific Discoveries Always Young.
Industrial exports are vital to the economy, receiving careful attention from the state since they bring significant revenue into the budget. A recent meeting focused not only on our ability to produce competitive high-tech goods but our ability to sell them within a reasonable timeframe. Export Version explains further.
Demand for innovative ideas is higher than ever before. It’s not enough to simply have resources; it’s necessary to use them efficiently in creating new products. Intellectual assets are to the fore, with information technologies allowing new ideas to be harnessed rapidly. We are part of a new age. Accordingly, ‘IT: New Generation’ is our major theme in this issue, dominating our post-industrial times. We are living in an era of great progress and bold change.
Young and ambitious IT workers have an alluring future before them, being sought after by domestic and foreign IT companies. Championships and Olympiads — Between Sessions explores the trend, whereby some students are ‘courted’ while still studying at higher educational establishments.
Clearly, the IT sphere in Belarus continues to develop rapidly and needs high-class specialists. Our future success lies in our ability to embrace opportunity and seize the moment.
By Viktor Kharkov
