29 may 2012

At the end of his trip to Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visits Nazarbayev University to learn about new research in various fields and to speak with lecturers and students

Participants:

Aslan Sarinzhipov, chairman of the university's executive council, showed Mr Medvedev a scale model of the campus and told him about the university. The Russian prime minister visited educational and research laboratories, where he was told about developments in the energy research laboratory, where new approaches to treating various diseases are being created. Mr Medvedev was also told about new methods for treating patients with advanced stages of cancer and substituting stenosed coronary vessels, which are being developed in the lab. "You'll achieve great results," Dmitry Medvedev said to young scientists.

Mr Medvedev also visited microbiology and biotechnology laboratories. When visiting robotics and mechanotronics laboratory he was shown several inventions made by university students, in particular a robotic machine which can collect balls from a sports field. The students told the prime minister that they are going to showcase the device at an exhibition in Singapore. Mr Medvedev was also shown a tactile platform that allows for conducting surgical operations remotely.

The prime minister visited the university's library, where he spoke with students and library staff who praised the project of Skolkovo technology park and suggested a partnership. "You have a wonderful project, and we need to cooperate – first through information resources, and then we'll see," Medvedev replied.

Students presented Mr Medvedev with a baseball cap and a jumper for sporting activities, saying he could use them for jogging. "I am not sure about jogging, but they could be used for biking for sure," the prime minister said, thanking for the gifts.

The university students suggested a partnership in the area of student sport. "I think this is a good idea. Let's try to consolidate student sport. I welcome your proposals," Mr Medvedev said.

* * *

During his visit to the university, Mr Medvedev was accompanied by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov.

* * *

Nazarbayev University was established by the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev as an elite educational institution to train highly skilled professionals and to advance national scientific research and developments. The university has some 1,000 students and four scientific centres.