Аlexander Tikhonov Has Passed Away

On December 9, 2016, Аlexander Tikhonov, Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Director and Academic Supervisor of HSE Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (MIEM HSE) died unexpectedly, aged 69.

Alexander Tikhonov maintained close ties with MIEM since graduating in 1972. He showed a keen interest in its problems, helped it through difficult times and celebrated its achievements.

But Alexander Tikhonov’s biography is also inseparably associated with the development of Russia’s entire higher education system, particularly during the very difficult period of transformation and reforms that followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the 1990s he was appointed to a number of important positions, including that of Russia’s Minister for General and Professional Education.

The research school Alexander Tikhonov led developed and implemented a conceptual model of the digital education space. The federal computer network RUNNet and other projects he initiated helped to improve the quality and availability of the best education resources for all forms of training.

In his administrative position, Tikhonov did not distance himself from research and teaching. He is the author of over 150 research works, including books and tutorials. Dozens of MA and doctoral theses were written under his supervision.

Tikhonov was always a genuine academic with a remarkable talent for understanding the situation, identifying the problems, and finding ways to solve them. He was a man of principle, who was always ready to stand up for his beliefs and be fair to those of others, regardless of the position he held.

For all staff members and graduates of HSE Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics he will be remembered as a role model of decency and nobility, for his ability to find a compromise and the right way to the heart of anyone he was interacting with. For everyone who knew him, Alexander Tikhonov was dedicated to working for the benefit of science, society and the University.

Today MIEM feels as if it has lost its father. With his passing, we feel the loss of a great teacher, an inspiring leader, and a true friend. It is also a great loss for Russia’s scientific community as a whole.

HSE administration would like to express their profound condolences to Alexander Tikhonov’s family and friends, MIEM staff members and students, and the whole academic and student community at HSE.