Governor Andrey Chibis began today's operational meeting by summarizing the results of the visit to the Murmansk Region by First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov. Andrey Chibis stressed that a number of key projects have been supported for the further development of the region.
"First of all, this is the production of raw materials for lithium-ion batteries in the Murmansk region. Given that lithium mining will be carried out on the territory of our region, we are extremely interested in a full cycle. And Denis Valentinovich supported the creation of the production of active cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries in Monchegorsk. The implementation of the project is critically important from the point of view of localization on the territory of the Russian Federation of the entire technological chain for the creation of batteries for various industries," the governor stressed.
Andrey Chibis also noted that the project fully meets the goals outlined in the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation "On National Development Goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 and for the future up to 2036" in terms of achieving the national goal of "Technological leadership" to ensure technological independence and the formation of markets for new materials.
The governor also said that Denis Manturov supported the proposals for the modernization of the enterprise "10 SRZ".
"10 SRZ is the oldest ship repair plant on the northern coast of the Kola Peninsula. According to the plans that we are working on with a potential investor, after modernization, the plant will be able to carry out not only ship repair, but also shipbuilding. This requires the renewal of the mooring wall, the construction and repair of workshops, and the expansion of the approach channel. We will seek all necessary solutions for the modernization of 10 SRZ. And we have secured the principled support of the First Deputy Prime Minister," Andrei Chibis stressed.
Another important block of collaboration is higher education. Recall that Denis Manturov heads the supervisory board of the university. "Denis Valentinovich noted that he will continue to support our university. Including by helping to attract federal funds for its development," the governor noted.
Andrey Chibis said that over the past 5 years, about 10 billion rubles have been allocated for the development of higher education in the region. "The most important step is the creation of a unified Murmansk Arctic University. The university's first admission campaign ended with a 100% enrollment of applicants. In addition, the number of training areas has been increased. If there were 179 of them before the merger, then in 2024 – 182. The number of students has increased by 700 since the merger. And it is about 6,7 thousand," he stressed.
Among the new areas of training at UIA are: "Information systems and artificial intelligence technologies", "Virtual and augmented reality technologies", "Operation of marine power plants (specialization "Maintenance and repair of marine power plants").
Also, in 5 years, 12 university facilities, 52 classrooms and laboratories, and 60% of the fund in three buildings of dormitories were repaired; several scientific laboratories were launched, including logistics in the Arctic, refrigeration equipment. New institutes have been created: the Biomedical Institute, the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Digital Technologies. New educational programs have been opened at the request of industrial partners, including for the development of the Northern Sea Route and the development of unmanned aircraft in the Arctic. With the support of industrial partners, several laboratory complexes were opened.
The university's partners are large federal companies that operate on our territory. The Head of the region thanked Novatek, PhosAgro, Norilsk Nickel, Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, Antey Group of Companies, United Shipbuilding Corporation, Murmansk Commercial Sea Port, Atomflot and others for the participation and financial support of the university. Thanks to the support of industrial partners, the renovation work will continue this year: 17 spaces are being modernized, including canteens, computer labs, and laboratories.
"Thanks to Denis Valentinovich also for the principled decision, the instruction to allocate more than 1 billion rubles of extra-budgetary funds for the creation of a Coastal Training Center and the modernization of the Marine Convention Training Center. The facilities are of key importance for confirming the maritime recognition of the UIA, their creation is taking place with financial support following the results of the Supervisory Board in September last year," Andrei Chibis stressed.
Andrey Chibis recalled that Murmansk Arctic University successfully defended the project of participation in the Priority 2030 program due to the revision of the program criteria, which were previously discussed at the working group of the State Council.
"The consolidated budget of the UIA Priority 2030 project is almost 800 million rubles. The participants are not only the federal and regional government, but also industrial partners – Antey, Akron, Lavna port," Andrei Chibis said. The implementation of three strategic projects is envisaged: "Marine technologies in the Arctic"; "Innovative technologies in mining"; "Arctic bioresources and Biotechnologies".
The Governor stressed that the next steps for the development of the university are clearly planned. First, it is the university's participation in the program to create world-class campuses.
"This will make it possible to transform the university into a scientific and educational center in priority areas of development of the Arctic territories. And here I also thank Denis Valentinovich for his support. This is a competitive selection, and we are already preparing an application, and the campus project itself was approved at the last supervisory board," Andrei Chibis said.
Secondly, participation in the competition for the creation of an engineering center for ship repair. Thirdly, participation in a competition for the creation of an advanced engineering school in the mining industry.
"On Friday, at the supervisory board, our partner, PhosAgro, presented a project to modernize the UIA branch in Apatity for a total amount of about 3 billion rubles. It is aimed at further strengthening the processes of interaction in response to the challenges facing higher engineering education, the mining industry and the Arctic region as a whole," the governor said. Thus, it is planned to create all conditions and open the following areas: surveying; construction of mining enterprises and underground structures; construction of unique buildings and structures.
The governor noted that within the framework of the project, the task is to open the necessary areas and specialties in the branch in the next three years, increase the number of budget places for full–time education in these priority areas and ensure an increase in the number of students. For this purpose, it is planned to develop educational infrastructure and laboratory facilities, create a complex for practicing practical skills in real underground conditions and create a modern dormitory. Already this year, the university plans to submit an application for a competition for advanced engineering School development Programs in partnership with PhosAgro.
"I would like to once again personally thank Denis Valentinovich, all his colleagues, and our industrial partners for their active and productive attention and participation in the development of higher education in the Murmansk region. It is obvious that the goal we have set – to make UIA the best university in the Arctic – will be achieved taking into account the measures taken and joint work," the governor stressed in conclusion.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /