Siberian Federal University

Eugene A. Vaganov, Academician of RAS, Rector of Siberian Federal University, has become the laureate of international prize «Person of the year» in a special nomination called «For the contribution to the development of education system». The awarding ceremony was held on the 25th of February, 2009 in the President Hotel, Moscow. Henry Reznik, President of Law Chamber of Moscow, Vice-President of the Federal Union of Lawyers of the Russian Federation, presented the prestigious award to Eugene A. Vaganov.

The international prize «Person of the year» – is an annual project established by the group of RBC Company in 2001. The prize has gained international status since 2005. The independent expert council of the prize consisting of politicians, journalists, scientists and art experts encourages those people who make a remarkable contribution to the development of the country. The main goal of the prize is to capture public attention on the eminent people who go out of their way to reach unity between society, business and authorities and solve priority issues of the country.

The famous people working in the field of politics, government administration, education, culture and business were awarded with the prize «Person of the year, 2008». Among the laureates were: Tatyana Golikova, Minister of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation, Mark Zaharov, Art Director of the Moscow State Theatre LENKOM, Herman Gref, Chairman of the board of Sberbank, Aleksandr Shohin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and His Holiness Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

By nominating Eugene A. Vaganov for the prize «Person of the year, 2008», the committee assessed Rector’s activities in terms of forming-up the effective model of university management which enables to accomplish a diverse range of programmes and investments within the framework of the long-term strategy of SibFU development. Owing to effective measures taken with a direct involvement of SibFU Rector, the main objectives concerning the formation of innovative higher education institution of federal significance were implemented: educational, scientific and research processes focused on qualitative training of specialists who are able to show their creative activities and transfer new technologies were modernized. The material and technical basis of Siberian Federal University was significantly strengthened: several multiple-access centers which enable to open certification centers, make complex research and expertise by order of companies, etc. were formed. The probation system and qualification courses for faculty and staff in the leading scientific and educational world centers were implemented within the framework of the programme of human resources development. Many experts were invited to Siberian Federal University i.e. visiting professors, business experts to take part in academic activities referred to priority areas of SibFU development.

Owing to well-organized finances system, additional sources of revenue were directed to Siberian Federal University. In 2008, SibFU gained more than 2 billion rubles. 670 million rubles out of this amount were gained due to the realization of research and engineering projects. Under the supervision of Eugene A. Vaganov, Siberian Federal University started to cooperate with strategy partners who are involved in exploration and development of the largest investment objects (Rusal, ОАО «Rosneft», ОАО «Gasprom», RusHydro, ОАО «Norilsk Nickel», ОАО «Polyus», etc.). Due to the programme of SibFU development, financial resources are directed to the SibFU endowment.

Educational blocks, laboratory buildings and other social objects are actively constructed on the territory of Siberian Federal University. New investment schemes make it possible to expand three times as much the area of the campus which will occupy 650 hectares with the green belt included.

Within the framework of scientific potential development, General agreement on cooperation was concluded with SB RAS and several institutions of SB RAS. More than 30 scientists (Doctors and Candidates of Sciences) of SB RAS work in SibFU. For about 56 Doctors and Candidates of Sciences of SB RAS participate in elaboration of teaching materials and development of scientific research.
Competition system was organized to render financial support to research activities and focus them on priority trends of SibFU development. Overall budget of competitions amounted to 230 million rubles.

University administration headed by Eugene A. Vaganov supported 83 projects amounting to 106 million rubles in the competition of scientific-methods projects. 27 projects were supported in the competition of projects devoted to co-financing of fundamental research made by order of Russian national funds (The Russian Foundation of Basic Research, Russian Humanitarian Science Foundation, Federal Agency for Science and Innovation).

The most remarkable achievement of Eugene A. Vaganov as a SibFU Rector is the modernization of structure and system of the university management. On the basis of 4 former higher education institutions, 17 specialized institutions were established in terms of priority trends of SibFU development. Successful reorganization of SibFU subdivisions was held, departments were enlarged and the range of specialities and training concepts were optimized. Plan of measures concerning the transition of Siberian Federal University into the autonomous higher education institution is elaborated and brought into action.