!["Professor Molchanov" arrived in Arkhangelsk](https://www.rgo.ru/sites/default/files/styles/head_image_article/public/node/10264/schpigel-4156.jpg?itok=3x2djXrk ""Professor Molchanov" arrived in Arkhangelsk")
On August 20 ship of the Northern AHEM “Professor Molchanov” docked on the 150-berth of the Sea-river station in Arkhangelsk. Relatives, colleagues, university staff welcomed the participants of the second voyage of the “Arctic Floating University – 2014″. Then, there was a ceremony honoring the expedition team on the square next to the main building of NarFU.
The captain of the research vessel “Professor Molchanov” Victor Loschevsky reported the end of the expedition and the fulfilled program. The deputy head of the Northern AHEM Alexander Driker received the report. He congratulated the participants of the AFU with the return and the end of the season of the “Arctic Floating University” project and expressed hope for long cooperation between the North AHEM and NArFU.
“This year we celebrate the anniversary – 100 years of observations in the European North of Russia”, – said Alexander Driker. He handed two copies of the anniversary edition to the first vice-chancellor of NArFU Leonid Shestakov.
“The expedition took place in difficult conditions, but all participants are alive and feel well. We are glad to see you! You did a great job collecting samples, but the data is to be processed, statistical calculations are to be conducted, and then published. The expedition became international. This confirms that the Arctic brings nations together rather than divides”- first vice-rector of NArFU Leonid Shestakov addressed the members of the expedition.
Deputy chairman of the Arkhangelsk regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society Viktor Kuznetsov emphasized the importance of experience which, thanks to the AFU, the students obtained in the Arctic.
Minister of Education and Science of the Arkhangelsk region, Igor Skubenko on behalf of the Governor and the Regional Government congratulated the participants on successful completion of the AFU expedition, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the project and wished the new ideas and their implementation.
“We are proud that during the past three years Arkhangelsk – a university town has been home port of the “Arctic Floating University”, – said Deputy Mayor of Arkhangelsk for Social Affairs Irina Orlova, wishing participants of the AFU to maintain combat enthusiasm.
Members of the expedition tried the bread and salt (according to Russian welcome ritual). Band “Severyanka” sang a welcome song for the the students returning to the native land.
All members of the expedition were awarded the AFU certificates.
The guys shared their impressions after the 20-day stay and work in the Arctic.
“It is very hard when you’re in a storm. But when the storm ends and the sea is calm, you feel better than usual “- told the graduate students of the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology Irina Porokhina and Anastasia Kosovo. They analyzed the psychological state of the expedition members.
Student of Institute of Natural Sciences and Biomedicine Ivan Lyubimka did physical studies of ice and snow. According to him, in terms of scientific research, expedition proved to be quite fruitful. Ivan hopes that his research will make a contribution to improving the quality of weather monitoring.
Foreign participants of the “AFU-2014″ are also full of impressions. Birita Dali, a resident of the Faroe Islands, studying political science at the University of Copenhagen, noted that she listened to the lectures , which took place on board the vessel, with great interest. Thanks to the expedition she saw polar bears for the first time. And she especially remembered the nature of the Kolguev Island.
Max Eriksson, a graduate student at the University of Umeå (Sweden), investigates people’s reactions and their relationship to various animals. In particular, he studies the reaction of people to the polar bear. Max explained that the most interesting part of his work was still ahead, when he would compare the data, which he had received in Sweden, with the data obtained during the AFU expedition.
It is interesting that in the framework of the educational program on the research vessel “Professor Molchanov” lectures wery given not only be teachers. Famous journalist Michail Kozhuhov told the students about exotic countries he had visited during the filming of his fascinating TV shows. Speaking about the AFU expedition Michail Kozhuhov said: “I loved to travel in the company of students. The guys were incredibly passionate about their work, the collection of samples. It even was a surprise for me. “
NArFU Press office together with Archangelsk center of the Russian Geographical Society
