An order from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, signed on February 19, 2026, authorizes the establishment at the KarRC RAS of the Dissertation Board 24.1.517.01 for seekers of the Candidate of Sciences and Doctor of Sciences degrees in Mathematical Modeling, Numerical Methods and Software Packages (specialization 1.2.2; physical and mathematical sciences).

The establishment of the dissertation board was announced by KarRC RAS CEO Olga Bakhmet at a meeting of the Academic Council.

As Director of the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research (IAMR KarRC RAS) Anna Rettieva explained, the only dissertation board in Karelia, based at the Petrozavodsk State University, has since 2025 been operating only for dissertations in technical sciences. Consequently, the nearest dissertation board for physical and mathematical sciences is at the St. Petersburg State University, which awards academic degrees independently, without review by the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK).

The Director specified that, in addition to postgraduate students from Karelia, the board organizers expect applicants to come from other regions. The one-off boards, set up at leading universities for each individual defense, may impose stricter publication requirements and demand the involvement of foreign opponents. The board organized at the KarRC RAS, on the other hand, is of a classical VAK format.

- This decision by the Ministry is important for the reputation of the Karelian Research Centre, because not every scientific institution is eligible as a dissertation board host. The organization must meet fairly high standards in terms of the level of its research, the quality of its publications, and its participation in conferences. It is a matter of prestige, – said Anna Rettieva.

Also, as the scientist believes, the establishment of the dissertation board will help strengthen ties with other research organizations, raise the qualifications of the research staff, and attract new high-end professionals to the KarRC RAS. The applicants who defend their dissertations at the KarRC RAS may choose the Centre for their future scientific careers. Doctoral students from Karelia will enjoy smoother technical arrangements. The requirements, however, will be equal for everyone, Anna Rettieva remarked.