Open BRICS+ Science Week Kicks Off in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 1 November, the Polytechnic Museum of Tashkent hosted the official opening ceremony of the BRICS+ Open Science Week, part of the NAUKA 0+ project. The opening ceremony was attended by official guests, members of the scientific community, students, and young researchers.

Events of the Science Week in Uzbekistan run from October 26 to November 6 and cover Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Nukus, and Fergana, bringing together leading scientists, science communicators, and representatives of educational institutions from BRICS+ countries.

NAUKA 0+ is the largest international project promoting science and is part of the Decade of Science and Technology, declared by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

In Uzbekistan, the project is organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), with support from the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The general partner of the Open Science Week is Alisher Usmanov’s charitable foundation, Art, Science and Sport.

The main theme of the program, “Your Quantum Universe,” is dedicated to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, proclaimed by the United Nations.

Science Becomes Accessible to Everyone

For two days, the Polytechnic Museum hosts an interactive popular science exhibition where visitors can explore modern scientific discoveries, conduct experiments, and participate in workshops.

Leading Russian scientists presented on the main stage. Valentina Utochnikova, professor at the MSU Faculty of Chemistry, revealed the secrets of bioluminescence and demonstrated how to “synthesize light” by hand. Nikolai Nikitin, professor at the MSU Faculty of Biology, spoke about the world of viruses, zombie viruses, and the search for the perfect vaccine. Dmitry-Fabian Ryzhkov, ecologist and geographer from Zaryadye Park, gave a lecture titled “From Flint to Smartphone: How Minerals Changed the World.” Vladimir Danilov, an engineer in robotics from the MSU Research Institute of Mechanics, shared new developments in walking robots.

From Early Humans to Quantum Technologies

The exhibition showcases projects from leading scientific centers in Russia and Uzbekistan. The display “Sunghir: The Ancient Human Settlement” demonstrates life thousands of years ago, allowing visitors to try drawing on synthetic animal skins and explore ancient technologies.

The Aerial Engineering School, supported by the MSU Research Institute of Nuclear Physics, presents a space exhibition with real rockets, satellites, and drones. Visitors can operate UAVs and fly drones using simulators.

The MSU Research Institute of Mechanics, together with VOLTBRO, presented the robodog and lunar rover BROVER, participants in international space robotics competitions. Scientists from MSU’s Department of Virology conducted an interactive “Viral Detective” program, while specialists from the Faculty of Chemistry trained visitors to create luminophores and verify the authenticity of banknotes.

The MEPhI branch in Tashkent offered VR tours and virtual games such as “Build a Nuclear Power Plant” and “Journey to the Reactor.” The Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas addressed issues of carbon neutrality and quantum technologies in energy. The MSU-PPI Joint Russian-Chinese University in Shenzhen conducted calligraphy and Chinese painting workshops, while Zaryadye Park opened laboratories for geology, anatomy, and genetics.

Promoting Science Without Borders

The science TV channel Nauka presented an exhibition of winners from the “Capture Science” photo contest, while visitors at the chemistry bar observed spectacular liquid nitrogen experiments and tasted molecular cocktails.

BRICS+ Open Science Weeks are conducted under the federal project “Promotion of Science and Technology” within the framework of the Russian Federation’s state program “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation.” The general media partner is TASS.

International Collaboration in Action

Initiated in 2006 by MSU Rector Academician Viktor Sadovnichy, the NAUKA 0+ project has reached over 100 million people worldwide.

Today, events are held in Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Cuba, and, for the first time, Brazil.

With the start of the Decade of Science and Technology, the project continues to inspire youth, strengthen international scientific cooperation, and enhance public interest in scientific achievements and their role in humanity’s future development.