SIRIUS /federal territory/, November 30. /TASS/. The Norilsk Nickel Company (Nornickel), the Siberian Federal University and the Fedorovsky Polar State University agreed to conduct joint scientific studies of the Arctic, perennially frozen grounds, ecology and technologies. They inked an agreement at the 3rd Congress of Young Scientists, a TASS correspondent reported from the ceremony.

"We plan joint studies in ecology and climate, in engineering and industrial technologies, in the Arctic's development," the Siberian Federal University's President Maxim Rumyantsev told reporters. "With Nornickel and the Polar State University we have joint long-term cooperation. The agreement formalizes its another stage, a 'reshuffle' of the current programs in view of the directions we have announced under the Priority 2030 program."

The parties to the agreement plan studies in operations efficiency in mining and metallurgical sectors, in biotechnologies and artificial intelligence. The cooperation's important aspect would be the development of Nornickel's R&D Center, where work will focus on development of digital and optimal processes in the mining industry. Another direction is to cooperate in education, including joint events, field schools and internship programs for students and post-graduates of both universities, with a special focus on training highly qualified specialists for the company.

"The cooperation between Norilsk Nickel and the two universities opens up new horizons for scientific studies, innovation and the training of highly qualified specialists, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the Far North regions and the industry. Our goal is to train experts who will be at the forefront of innovation and who will be ready to face global challenges," Nornickel's Vice President on Human Resources Daria Kryachkova said.

The 3rd Congress of Young Scientists runs at the Sirius Science and Arts Park on November 28-30. It is a key annual event of the Decade of Science and Technology. The event offers the largest platform for dialogues between advanced and fundamental sciences, the government and the economy's real sector. TASS is the congress' general information partner.