Prime Minister Vladimir Putin heard about the breakthroughs made at the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, which funds early stage innovation projects. The foundation’s head told him that any young scientist can attend a six-month course in the centre and receive student grants.

The prime minister also heard about the work carried out by the Russian Research Foundation for the Humanities, which publishes scholarly works by scientists and numerous other books.

Vladimir Putin showed particular interest in several books published by the foundation and was presented with copies of them. He was given copies of Russian Style, Archaeology. Discoveries from European Russia – 1991-2004, and also a book comprising Distinctive Magazines from the Russian Imperial Council of Ministers, 1916.

The prime minister also watched demonstrations of pilot projects developed to increase energy efficiency. The innovation and technology centre has been responsible for the development of several sensors which help solve the problem of energy-efficiency in the utilities sector.

In addition, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was shown some of the very latest machines for diagnosing and treating brain and kidney diseases, and was told about the development of mobile hospitals to treat cerebral ischemia.