Scientists Discuss Mathematical Models of Epidemiology and New Developments in This Area

14/04/2020 13:26

On April 12, the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly took part in the scientific conference “Science and Higher Education: in Search of Answers to the Challenge of the Global Epidemiological Crisis”, organized by the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NEA RK). The conference was dedicated to the Day of Science.

The main issues for the discussion were the contribution of science to the fight against the pandemic, the transformation of the education system in conditions of self-isolation and international cooperation.

The opening remarks were delivered by the Chairman of the conference, President of the NEA of Kazakhstan, Deputy of the Senate of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Academician Bakytzhan Zhumagulov. He called on to show restraint and will in overcoming the common calamity in the days of the pandemic and quoted the key point of the address of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev to the compatriots “When we are united - we are invincible”.

Vice-President of the NEA RK, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, NEA RK Academician Nurlan Temirbekov made a report “On mathematical models for predicting the development of the new coronavirus COVID-19.” He focused on a brief history of mathematical models of epidemiology and talked about new developments in this area made in China, Russia and Kazakhstan. Using a number of certain formulas, Kazakhstan scientists have come to the conclusion that the decline of the pandemic, while maintaining the existing methods of combating it in the country, will come in mid-May.

The next report “On the formation of a comprehensive scientific and technical program to counter the epidemiological crisis and its consequences for the economy” was made by the Head of the Chair of the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi, President of the Korean KAHAK Scientific & Technical Societies of Kazakhstan, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Academician of NEA RK Grigory Moon. The proposed scientific and technical program (NTP) consists of three blocks and is focused on current directions to counter the spread of corona virus. The program has already generated interest in the business community.

Natalia Belenko, Head of the Department for International Economic Cooperation of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, Doctor of History, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, spoke about the economic cooperation of the EEU countries in the context of the epidemiological crisis of 2020.

“Are we ready to cope with such challenges? At the start, each country tried to cope with the pandemic on its own, closing borders. Now the trend has changed and we see that States have begun to unite in the fight against the pandemic at the intergovernmental level. Completeness of information, speed and validity of decision-making and performance discipline are the three main pillars the interstate cooperation is based on today,”- Natalia Belenko said.

“Now we need to focus on the social aspect of solving the problems associated with the pandemic,”- said Natalia Belenko. – “An individual who is "disconnected" from the social context cannot exist for long. People need more detailed and reliable information, and more positive. For example, we need to talk more about real measures of government support and about the transfer of various activities to an online format.”

She added that the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly transfers previously planned activities into online format. The nearest one will be held on April 24 – the International teleconference “Meeting on Elbe 75”.

Ibragim Suleimenov, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Academician of the NEA of the Republic of Kazakhstan, addressed the problems of transition to mass distance higher education in his statement.

Crimean colleagues joined the conference. They sent video messages to the organizers of the conference.

Video message: “Epidemiological Crisis of 2020: Objective and Subjective Factors” by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of the V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Ph.D. in Philosophy, Professor Oleg Gabrielyan.

Marina Kostsova, associate Professor of the Chair of Psychology of Sevastopol State University, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, presented the report “Psychological Support of Higher School Teachers in the Context of a Pandemic”.