On August 23, in SSU Bldg. X Saratov University and the Territorial Body of the Federal State Statistics Service for Saratov Region signed up a cooperation agreement. The university was represented by Rector Aleksei Chumachenko, while Vyacheslav Somov stood proxy for the Saratovstat.

According to the agreement, SSU students would be trained for the All-Russian Population Census. It is planned that they will be able to test their theoretical knowledge by taking on the professional duties of census takers and field supervisors.

Before signing official documents, Vyacheslav Somov on behalf of Saratovstat hoped that the two organisations would cooperate in a prolific and beneficial way.

‘An important state event is ahead. By signing the agreement today, we are sincerely convinced that the powerful potential of the university will be directed not only to collect the information we need but also to process the obtained data and use the results of the census in various areas of modern science,” he said.

The SSU rector, in turn, emphasised that the forthcoming work is not only an important task set by the state but also an interesting experience for university researchers dealing with sociological, historic, and geographical issues.

‘The results of the census are a valuable source of information about the inhabitants of the country and the region. Due to this cooperation, we will have a unique opportunity rather than it is demanded now,’ Aleksei Chumachenko commented.

‘A common interest always leads to a high result,’ Vyeacheslav Somov summed up the conversation about the mutual plans.