INRTU organised a meeting with the first astronaut and academics from Mongolia

We would like to add that on 6–8 April, the international conference 'Russia and Mongolia: Results and Prospects of Scientific Cooperation' is being held at the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and at research centres in Irkutsk. Scientists are discussing medicine, energy and natural sciences.

Addressing the guests of honour, Rector of Irkutsk Polytechnic University Mikhail Kornyakov noted that cooperation between the two countries in the educational process allows the formation of human resources for the industry of Mongolia:

«There are many professional engineers and managers among the graduates of Irkutsk Polytechnic, such as Mongolia’s Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry Yondon Gelengin. We are proud to educate students from Mongolia and upon graduation they work for the benefit of their country. In 2020, the staff of INRTU received Mongolian state awards.»

In gratitude for the cooperation, Mikhail Kornyakov presented a special sign to the representatives of the Mongolian delegation of Irkutsk Polytechnic University, testifying of a reliable partnership.

The first Mongolian astronaut, Chairman of the Russian-Mongolian Friendship Society, Hero of the USSR Zhugdedemidin Gurragcha brought a special government cargo to the orbital station in 1981: the national flag, the text of the Constitution, a portrait of Sukhbaatar, a capsule with a message for future generations and a map of the starry sky drawn by scientists of the Great Horde in the 16th century.

Zhugderdemidin Gurragcha was in orbit for seven days, 20 hours, 42 minutes and three seconds (March 22–30). Together with his Soviet colleagues he carried out around 30 scientific studies. The complex experiment on remote sensing of the Earth to study natural resources was given the special name Erdem (wisdom).

Addressing the audience, the astronaut said that the flight had been preceded by serious preparations:

«In 1978 the socialist countries signed the Intercosmos programme for the joint exploration of outer space. The Soviet Union and Mongolia worked together on scientific projects. For three years I trained at the Yuri A. Gagarin Astronaut Training Centre».

Zhugderdemidin Gurgacha added that in 2016, Mongolia opened the planetarium he had long dreamed of. Children and adults are shown science-fiction videos, lectured about the Earth and the solar system, and told about Soviet and Russian spacemen.

A musical tribute to the first cosmonaut of Mongolia was prepared by Yevgeny Kartashov, a vocalist of the Folk Russian Song Ensemble Kalina. The rector and honoured guests of the university enthusiastically embraced the words of the song «Nadezhda», which is widely known in Russia and Mongolia.

The director of the Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, academician Demberel Sodnomsambuu performed with a guitar «The Ural Ryabinushka», which he performed at an amateur art competition in 1979 in Irkutsk. The female group of the Folk ensemble of Russian song «Kalina» presented their own interpretation of the composition to the guest.

Dembarel Sodnomsambuu recalled the festival of scientists organised at Irkutsk Polytechnic in 2016. He took part not only in scientific but also cultural events. The scientist noted that the friendship of the Russian and Mongolian peoples is based on common knowledge and synthesis of cultures.

Academician Ragdel Dugher, President of the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, once took a preparatory course at Irkutsk State University. He now heads the Mongolian Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Educational Institutions. The academician wished the Irkutsk pupils and students interesting scientific discoveries and success in building their careers.