On 27 November Kazan launched the II Youth Scientific Congress of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries. The forum invited young researchers from Russia and the OIC countries to scientific dialogue aimed at technological and innovative development of all the member states. The congress brought together 150 experts, young scientists and innovators from 25 countries: Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Palestine, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Niger, Nigeria, Mozambique, Cameroon, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Chad, Russia and Senegal.
The participants presented their developments in the “Biomedicine and Biotechnology”, “Modern Technology in Education”, “Modern International Relations and International Law”, “Architecture, Design and Art”, “Oil and Gas Technology” scientific sections. The congress in Kazan has become unique in terms of the number of topics announced, as there are no analogues in the OIC today.
The grand opening of the event was held at the Imperial Hall of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, where Nobel laureates once gave lectures, and outstanding Russian scientist and great rector Nikolay Lobachevsky gave his famous lecture on youth education 170 years ago. The participants and experts of the congress were addressed with welcoming speeches by the guests of honor of the event.
On behalf of Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Leyla Fazleeva welcomed the audience at the opening ceremony. She noted that Tatarstan supports and develops projects on cooperation between talented young people of Russia and the OIC countries in various fields of cultural and humanitarian education and science. Leyla Fazleeva also reminded that 2024 will be the Year of Scientific and Technological Development, while the Decade of Science has been declared in Russia by the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Farit Mukhametshin, deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, deputy chairman of the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, sent his greetings to the participants and organizers of the event. In his welcoming letter Farit Mukhametshin noted that in the conditions of diverging interests and rivalry between the leading powers, the modern world is facing serious challenges that threaten peace, security and stability of society. According to Farit Mukhametshin, the congress will undoubtedly become an important contribution to the understanding of the need to consolidate all reasonable forces on the path of ensuring the peaceful development of mankind.
Denis Sekirinsky, deputy minister of science and higher education in Russia, also sent his greetings to the participants of the scientific congress. He highlighted the close cooperation between Russia and the OIC countries, within the framework of which youth scientific cooperation is one of the important elements. In the text of his greeting Denis Sekirinsky expressed confidence that the congress will become a platform for the exchange of the best ideas and practices.
In his speech, Dmitry Tayursky, first vice-rector and vice-rector for scientific activities of KFU, said it was Kazan University that was the first to conduct systematic research in the field of oriental studies. Dmitry Tayursky said that today Kazan University has a great opportunity to communicate with young scientists from the OIC countries. He emphasized the importance of developing new scientific ties and exchanging experience.
Timur Suleymanov, head of the Dvizheniye Pervykh (Movement of the First) Tatarstan branch, assistant to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, said that in total over 1000 applications from 72 countries were received for participation in the congress. The competition was 10 people per place. Timur Suleymanov congratulated the congress participants and wished them that the four days in Kazan would be filled with gripping discussions, impressions and would give them energy for new achievements.
Yunus Sonmez, head of the Secretariat of the OIC Youth Forum (ICYF), in his speech admired the transformative power of the new generation in the field of science and intellectual innovation, describing the congress as part of a bolder vision brought by Islamic cooperation with the world. Mr. Yunus Sonmez reminded the participants that it is their energy, foresight and education that will lead society to the relationships that shape the future world.
Dr. Sharif Muhammad, advisor to the Director General of the World Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the congress and noted the special importance of the event. Bringing together young scientists with predominantly Islamic population makes it possible to expand the boundaries of science and open the latest achievements to the world, Sharif Muhammad said. He also read out a welcome letter from Director General of ICESCO Dr. Salem Bin Mohammed Al Malik.
Iqbal Choudhary, general coordinator of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), welcomed the participants of the congress in a video message. Maham Yamin, program coordinator of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, game more details about COMSTECH activities. The main objective of COMSTECH is to strengthen cooperation between the OIC member states in the field of science and technology and enhance their capacity building through training in emerging fields.
Supporting young scientists is an important priority of Tatarstan’s state youth policy, Aygul Sabirova, deputy minister of youth affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan, said. She also mentioned the upcoming World Youth Festival in 2024, which will be held in Russia, and expressed hope that some of the congress participants will be able to attend it.
Acting Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan Aynur Timerkhanov spoke about measures to support and attract young people to science. In the context of this activity, a large number of scientific projects are being implemented on the platforms of the Academy of Sciences together with Russian and foreign partners. In addition, Aynur Timmerkhanov informed the participants about a large number of grant support programs for young scientists.
Timirkhan Alishev, vice-rector for external relations of Kazan Federal University, informed the participants about the history of Kazan University, its prominent graduates and the structure of the modern university and its priority areas of development. In his turn, Chairman of the Olympic Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Bariyev in his address to the participants presented the project of the Islamic Youth Games, an international competition scheduled for 2025, in which athletes from the OIC countries will be able to take part.
After the congress opening ceremony, the plenary session on Wellbeing and Society in the Context of Global Challenges began at the hall. Foreign and Russian experts discussed contemporary challenges and opportunities for their solution in a multipolar world.
The congress was closed on 29 November at the Kazan City Hall, where artists from Indonesia, Russia, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iraq performed as part of the Gala Concert of the Festival of Contemporary Muslim Culture. The artists performed creative collaborations in various directions: vocal, choreography, playing traditional musical instruments. The best works of the congress were summarized and awarded in the following areas: biomedicine and biotechnology, oil and gas technology, educational technology, international relations and international law, architecture, design, art.