(31.08.11) From 29 August - 02 September, the Ulyanovsk region in cooperation with the German embassy in Moscow held the first German-Russian week of science. As part of the 2011/12 joint year of science, representatives of both countries gathered under the motto "partnership of ideas in education, science and innovation" to deepen cooperation with the region.

Also travelling to the ceremonial opening of the week were representatives from the DFG and DAAD. A public discussion round with Governor Sergei I. Morozov and the vice chancellors and directors of the universities on site served as the start of a series of events. In an introductory presentation, Jörn Achterberg introduced the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and its funding programmes. In the forum, the vice chancellors of the leading Ulyanovsk educational institutions, including Boris M. Kostishko (State University), Aleksandr D. Gorbokonenko (State Technical University), Aleksandr V. Dozorov (State Agricultural Academy), Sergei I. Krasnov (Aviation University for Civil Aviation) as well as the pro-vice-chancellor of the State Pedagogical University, Natalya A. Ilyina, expressed great interest in expanding scientific cooperation with Germany.

The Ulyanovsk area, with its 1.3 million inhabitants, is today considered the largest scientific centre on the middle Volga. At the State University alone, which was originally established as a branch of the famous Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), more than 15,000 students are enrolled. Last autumn, German President Wulff also visited the region. Expression of the ambitious goals of the emergent area is the planned candidacy for the European Capital of Culture in 2020. The city was founded under the name Simbirsk and renamed in 1924 after its famous son, Lenin (Vladimir I. Ulyanov).

Further Information:

• http://ulgov.ru/news/important/29082011/19229