The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (the Ministry) has reviewed all the papers submitted for the competition for the position of Director General of the Karelian Research Centre RAS (the Centre). These included the candidates' profiles, their development plans for the Centre, the results of the voting for the candidates at the Centre, and the statements of approval of the candidates by the RAS Presidium and other agencies. As a result, the Ministry resolved to extend the authority of Olga Bakhmet as the Acting Director General of the Centre. The candidacy of Alexander Kryshen, which received the most votes in the secret ballot of the Centre's employees, failed to get the required approvals and was therefore not endorsed by the Ministry. The candidacy of Yuri Zaika wasn’t supported either, as he received the fewest votes among the three candidates in the ballot at the Centre.
The Ministry’s decision was announced at Sept. 18 meeting of KarRC RAS Board of Directors by the Acting Director General Olga Bakhmet.
Elections for the position of KarRC RAS Director General consist of several stages, and candidates undergo multi-level checks. Immediately after nomination, a candidate must be approved by the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). Apart from the formal eligibility requirements, RAS Presidium assesses the professional level of the applicants and their scientific achievements. The candidates approved by RAS are admitted by the Ministry to participate in the competition. All the three nominated candidates passed this stage successfully. Next, a vote is held among the Centre's staff. At the final stage, the candidates went through a revision by various federal agencies and services. As a result of this process, the candidacies of Olga Bakhmet and Yuri Zaika were approved, while that of Alexander Kryshen was rejected. Summarizing the results of the competition, the Ministry decided to extend the mandate of Olga Bakhmet as the Acting Director General of the Centre.
Moreover, based on the results of the checks, it was indicated that one of the candidates, Alexander Kryshen, is ineligible to hold a leadership position in organizations subordinate to the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education. In effect, on top of not getting endorsement for heading the Centre, he shall also step down from the position of the Director of the Forest Research Institute.
- The founder has made its choice, and I pledge to faithfully execute the duties of the Director General of the Centre. The numerous meetings with the Centre's staff during the campaign gave me a chance to better understand the employees' concerns and, I hope, allowed the staff to align their plans with the plans for the development of science in the country and Karelia. We’re in for the transformations outlined in the program declaration. Yet, all the constructive proposals made during the election campaign will be taken into account in the Centre’s new development program, – said Olga Bakhmet.
Photo: Igor Georgievsky / KarRC RAS
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September 18, 2025
Ministry of Science and Higher Education Russia extends the mandate of Olga Bakhmet as KarRC RAS Director General
Having considered materials from the competition for the post of Director General of the Karelian Research Centre RAS, Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education resolved to extend the mandate of Olga Bakhmet as Acting Director General. The candidacies of Alexander Kryshen and Yuri Zaika were not supported by the Ministry. The former did not get the required approvals, while the latter received the fewest votes among the three candidates.
Having considered materials from the competition for the post of Director General of the Karelian Research Centre RAS, Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education resolved to extend the mandate of Olga Bakhmet as Acting Director General. The candidacies of Alexander Kryshen and Yuri Zaika were not supported by the Ministry. The former did not get the required approvals, while the latter received the fewest votes among the three candidates.
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KarRC RAS Director General Olga Bakhmet took part in a meeting of heads of federal research centers held in the Republic of Tatarstan as one of the events dedicated to the anniversary of the Kazan Scientific Center RAS. The meeting addressed issues common to scientific organizations in Russian regions, including the possibility of establishing an association of Centers.
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A multidisciplinary expedition to the Ladoga Skerries National Park was performed by specialists from several subdivisions of KarRC RAS. The focus was on the park’s plants and animals. Scientists map the forest cover and its dynamics, identify rare species, and evaluate human impact on the natural ecosystems. The results can be used when planning economic and recreational activities in the protected area.