Viktor Nikolaevich Ivanov: the Director of the Leningrad Institute of Chemistry and Pharmacy in the 1950s

The article is dedicated to the director of the Leningrad Chemical and Pharmaceutical Institute (now the Saint Petersburg Chemical and Pharmaceutical University), a specialist in the field of chemical absorbers, Viktor Nikolaevich Ivanov, who headed the university in 1951-1958. The contribution to the development of chemical science has been revealed, also the activities during the years of the defense of Leningrad in 1941-1944 have been traced. In addition to the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Institute, his teaching activities were associated with the Leningrad and Moscow State Universities. During the era of his directorship at the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Institute, he managed to significantly strengthen the teaching staff, including specialists in the humanities, the famous sociologist I. S. Kon, as well as construct a new building and create a medicinal plant nursery in Lembolovo.

Social Innovation in the Academic Curricula of Chemical Science Degrees in South Africa

Social innovation is growing internationally and is a focus area for sub-Saharan Africa. While studies have been conducted on the factors thatcontribute to the failure to incorporate social innovation in academic curricula,there is a paucity of such research in the South African context, especially inrelation to university curricula. This qualitative study explored chemicalscientists’ perceptions on the interventions required to introduce socialinnovation to the academic curricula of the chemical science degree inSouth African universities. Semi-structured interviews were conductedwith 14 chemical scientists and the data was analysed using thematicanalysis. The key findings included the overall lack of awareness andunderstanding of social innovation and the social challenges confrontingSouth Africa. These factors hamper the development of sustainableacademic curricula, effective community engagement and societal change.Furthermore, academic institutions’ reluctance to embrace change is causefor concern. Key words: Social innovation, chemical sciences, academic curriculum,South African universities

Materials Based on Chitosan and Polylactide: From Biodegradable Plastics to Tissue Engineering Constructions

The transition to green chemistry and biodegradable polymers is a logical stage in the development of modern chemical science and technology. In the framework of this review, the advantages, disadvantages, and potential of biodegradable polymers of synthetic and natural origin are compared using the example of polylactide and chitosan as traditional representatives of these classes of polymers, and the possibilities of their combination via obtaining composite materials or copolymers are assessed. The mechanochemical approach to the synthesis of graft copolymers of chitosan with oligolactides/polylactides is considered in more detail.