At the Board of Directors meeting, the heads of research divisions addressed the most pressing matters concerning the Centre's operations. KarRC RAS CEO Olga Bakhmet informed the assembly that the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia has allocated another 168M roubles funding for the Centre. This allocation significantly reduces our budget deficit for the current year and allows for a more optimistic outlook on fulfilling the state assignment. Yet, Olga Nikolaevna reminded that these funds cannot fix all of our problems, such as increased utility costs.

Olga Bakhmet introduced two new members of the Board of Directors – heads of institutes. The new Acting Director of the Forest Research Institute is Boris Raevsky, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences. He is a nationally and internationally renowned specialist in silvics and silviculture, a key field of research for the Forest Research Institute.

Oleg Tolstoguzov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, has been appointed Director of the Institute of Economics. Olga Bakhmet noted that the institute’s previous director, Tatyana Morozova, has performed very well in this role for many years but stepped down from the post upon passing the age threshold. Before appointing the new director, KarRC RAS managers discussed possible candidates widely with staff of the Institute of Economics. Taking into account the employees' opinions, the decision was made to appoint Doctor of Economics Oleg Tolstoguzov, previously a long-standing head of the institute’s Department for Regional Economic Policy.

Olga Bakhmet also announced changes in the management structure of the KarRC RAS, designed to improve management efficiency and reduce budget spending.

The CEO has decided to reduce the number of deputy directors from three to two, who will work on part-time basis. Alexander Slabunov will continue to oversee science administration issues and interactions with the institutes. Nikolai Ilmast will remain in charge of fieldwork organization matters, including the use of research vessels, as well as a number of other tasks.

Considering some specific dimensions of our Centre's activities, the CEO will have two new assistants who will assist her in addition to their primary job. Lyubov Kulakova, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Economics, will be part-time Assistant to the Director General in government relations, implementing projects related to the regional agenda, and coordinating the educational and outreach work of the museums, scientific library, scientific archive, and a number of other departments.

Andrey Khilimanyuk, Head of the Mobilization Department, has also been appointed Assistant to the Director General. His part-time responsibilities will include security issues, such as information and fire safety, as well as issues of personal data handling.

The Board of Directors also discussed some other organizational matters concerning the current operation of the KarRC RAS.