Leading Russian biologist noted the high level of scientific research at Altai State University

Corresponding member Kamelin took part in numerous expeditions in Altai (Altai mountainous country) and stood at the origins of the creation of the scientific botanical school of Altai State University. It still exists and has brought up many qualified botanists - candidates and doctors of sciences. Professor Alexander Shmakov, Director of the South Siberian Botanical Garden of AltSU represented AltSU at the presentation. Doctor of Biology Olga Kamelina autographed the book during its presentation. This book is a joint publishing project of scientists from St. Petersburg and Barnaul. The book is based on the monograph of the same name by Academician Rudolf Kamelin, which he defended in 1972 as a PhD thesis.

“It is nice that at the presentation of the book and at the Kamelinsky readings in Altai, which were held in Barnaul in 2021, there are students and followers of Rudolf Vladimirovich. I am very grateful to the students, as events are organized on their initiative and the scientific heritage of the botanical school at AltSU is  developed under the guidance of Alexander Shmakov. It is gratifying that in all scientific events and botanical expeditions in Altai, a huge number of young researchers participate. The children are happy to study botany. This is the merit of both Rudolf Vladimirovich, who lectured at Altai State University, and the current position of the leadership of the botanical garden in Barnaul,” said Olga Kamelina.

This event was an excellent opportunity to sum up joint work of the South Siberian Botanical Garden and Vladimir Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which is part of the consortium "Study and conservation of biodiversity and genetic resources of North and Central Asia" and is a strategic partner of ASU in the "Priority - 2030" program.

“Today, AltSU is a center among Russian universities, including participants in the Priority 2030 program, where botany is one of the strongest scientific areas. According to my estimates, the scientific potential of this area, including expressed through bibliometric indicators and the competitiveness of projects, creates almost a third of the contributions to the development of the university. This is confirmed by the victory in the competition of a coordinated project of 9 institutions, where there is only one partner from the university environment among the institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and this is AltSU, under the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies for 2019–2027. Therefore, AltSU, having established itself as a reliable partner of the BIN RAS in relation to the Priority 2030 program, will definitely cooperate in the future. I noted for myself at what level the experimental laboratory of bioengineering was organized, a new greenhouse was built, several breeding achievements were registered. Also, the development of digital technologies today allows the development of plant systematics not only in the capital centers. This is actively used by AltSU research teams. I was very pleased with the reports at the past Kamelinsky readings in Altai, several reports were world-class. It should be noted that in the Siberian botanical cluster, and in particular, in Altai State University, they are deeply and seriously engaged in plant systematics. The pursuit of Rudolf Kamelin is alive in Altai,” comments Dmitry Geltman, Director of Vladimir Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg).