XIV All-Russian Congress of Young Scientists' Councils and Student Scientific Societies: Science Without Borders and New Horizons for Young Researchers
From July 9 to 11, 2026, the XIV All-Russian Congress of Councils of Young Scientists and Student Scientific Societies took place in Moscow at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. The event, organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia together with NUST MISIS and Skoltech, brought together more than 1,000 young researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates from 76 regions of Russia and 17 countries around the world — from Iran and Italy to Canada, China, and Ethiopia.
Over the three days of the congress, 77 events were held with the participation of 295 speakers. The discussions focused on the development of youth science, support for talented researchers, the role of artificial intelligence in modern science, and the development of international scientific dialogue.
Among the participants of the panel discussion "Coming to Russia for Science: For Meaning and Scale" was Mehdi Basati Panah, associate professor at the Energy Institute of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. He shared his personal experience of integrating foreign specialists into Russian science, speaking about the difficulties and barriers such scientists face.
One must be a bridge, not a wall — a bridge between disciplines, universities, and countries. Because science is a dialogue. The strongest and most unexpected ideas are born not in the silence of an office, but in the corridors — over a cup of tea, in conversation with colleagues, in debate.
His own career path can be considered an example of a successful scientific career in Russia. Having defended his PhD dissertation in 2023, he began working at the Polytechnic University as an assistant, and today holds the position of associate professor and senior researcher at the Scientific and Educational Center for Aircraft Engines and Power Plants. Over the following years, more than 30 undergraduate and graduate students completed and defended their final qualifying works under his supervision. He currently teaches courses in both Russian and English to Russian and international students alike, and has begun supervising postgraduate students. His research interests include advanced energy production systems, turboexpander technologies, digital twins, water desalination, and hydrogen production.
Speaking at the panel discussion, Mehdi Basati Panah noted that success in Russia for an international scientist is not just a matter of professional competence: "it's important to overcome the language barrier and understand the country's cultural characteristics. And, most importantly, not to be afraid of public speaking — even if your Russian isn't perfect and even if it's frightening."
"Only the Almighty knows everything, while we, scientists, only get closer to the truth," he said, adding that honesty in this pursuit is the best thing one can offer. And the main conclusion he has drawn is this: one must be a bridge, not a wall — a bridge between disciplines, universities, and countries. Because science is a dialogue. The strongest and most unexpected ideas are born not in the silence of an office, but in the corridors — over a cup of tea, in conversation with colleagues, in debate.
Media materials of XIV All-Russian Congress of Young Scientists' Councils and Student Scientific Societies
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