Zhores Alferov was a Nobel Prize laureate in physics - for his part in inventions in semiconductors and optoelectronics, which now are used everywhere from optical computer mouse to space satellites communications.
But not only this. It is more than just about physics.
He was a "founding father" of several educational organizations. Among them Physical-Technical High School in Saint-Petersburg, Russia - that's where I myself have graduated from. Really great place with quite democratic and respectful approach to pupils. During hard times of late 1990s he was "attacking" various government facilities and mighty people to secure funds for the new building of this school (for it was functioning many years in a few small class-rooms in former dinner-hall). It was really tough struggle, but he succeeded at last.
The part of his Nobel Prize money he spent on creating his Fund (comparatively small, of course) for helping young scientists. (The other part was spent to purchase appartments for family at last - quite general trouble for many people here in a large city, including scientists).
And he was a devoted communist :)
He occasionally told of his views during his lectures or speeches. He was well-humored man and looked a bit funny - but he was very sincere. For him, it seems, communism was not the political instrument (e.g. repressions, nuclear weapons, corruption) but rather The Idea. Like you know "From everyone according to one's abilities - to everyone according to one's needs"...
The Idea that all people should have equal opportunities to be happy, to live well and thoughfully. And among this - that all people should have equal chances for good education.
He himself studied at times which were tough and maybe poor, but when education was generally free and equally accessible. So that everyone starting from any level of society could potentially become another Faraday or Lomonosov.
It feels, like this exactly idea he was trying to implement by creating various scientific and educational projects, organizations. By gathering various wonderful and interesting people around these projects. It is hard to predict, what will become with such his endeavors in future - but hopefully at least his Idea we shall save and bear further.