The Academy of Sciences
In Russian, the term “science” is used in its widest sense – that of “a system of objective knowledge” – rather than the more restricted usage which is common in the West “systemized knowledge derived through experimentation, observation, and study” – or empirical sciences. As such is understood to encompass all forms of scholarship – history, liguistics and so forth.
In Kyrgyzstan, the main body responsible for research of all forms is the Academy of Sciences, which was formally established by the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union in August 1954. An inaugural ceremony was held in the Opera and Ballet theatre in Bishkek later that year, in December.
Earlier, in 1943, a branch of the All Union Academy, which was based in Moscow, had been established in Frunze, and during the Second World War some of the departments were transferred to Kyrgyzstan, away from the front. This was to form the kernel of the new body. The Academy was charged with conducting research in natural sciences, technology, biological and social studies, they were oversee the development of science and technology and the development of Higher Education facilities within the republic.
At that time, it comprised of eight Institutes:
- Geology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Water and Power
- Zoology
- Medicine
- History
- Language
There were 17 full members and 23 “corresponding” members including: the surgeon Akhunbaev; the writer Sydybekov and the zoologist Lushchihin.
To meet the demands presented by the growth of industry and the economoy, the number of institutes was to grow to encompass research in the fields of mathematics, biochemistry and engineering. The Academy now has over one and a half thousand members, students and workers employed in 27 Institutes.
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Many of the academicians worked specifically on questions with special relevance to life in the mountains.
Amongst the results of work carried out by members of the academy are:
- The development of materials used by Soviet cosmonauts in space exploration
- Seismological monitoring and research. Being in a seimologically active region, the work of the academy in the field of researching earthquakes is of particular importance.
- One of the most important publications from the Academy was the Atlas of the Kyrgyz SSR which provided comprehensive geographical imformation about the country.
- Plasma and laser technologies. (Askar Akaev, the first President of independent Kyrgyzstan was a physicist who specialized in laser technologies – and had also served as President of the Academy.)
- Animal husbandry – creating new breeds of animals specially suited to the conditions and life in mountain regions
- Operation of the Botanical gardens (which was established in 1938 where research is carried out on the development of “high yield” crops
- Research inito the the histroy of Central Asia – and in particular the Kyrgyz people, their history and culture. The Academy has conducted several archaeological expeditions.
- Work on the preservation and development of the Kyrgyz language – producing dictionaries and many other texts in Kyrgyz. The library of the Academy has over thirty examples of versions of the Manas Epic.
- About 800 scientific and scholarly texts and 30 monographs are published each year.
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As well as the Library, a publishing house and Botanical Gardens, the Academy runs several museums including the Zoological Museum in the Eastern wing of the main Academy building on Prospect Chui.
Once of the major problems facing the Academy in the period following Indepence has been the lack of financial resources to fund its various activities and research. However, the Academy is able to maintain cooperation with a number of international organizations and contributes to work in various projects – especially in the fields of communications and plasma technology. It is a member of the Association of Academies of Science in Asia. They are also involving the private sector in some aspects of their work.
The legislative base for the Academy has been reviewed – and there are proposals to create special Technology Parks to help in the development of the work of the Academy – especially in the development of new technologies for business.
Amongst the priorities for the Academy in the immediate future are, research into:
- developments in information technology
- the use of water and power resources
- mining technologies
- production technologies
- the prediction and handling of natural, technological and environmental incidents
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The building which serves as the main campus of the Academy is on Prospect Chui and was built in 1962. Currently painted light green, the architecture is on an art-deco style with several mosaic motifs adorning the facade. In the center of the courtyard is a plinth surmounted by a massive sculture of on item with electrons orbiting its nucleus.
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Bishkek