In his speech, Andrey Antonov presented the vision of the region on implementation of the key factors of Russian economic development – science and technology. He reminded that there are three initiatives being implemented at the federal level that challenge the regions to find their own specialization and become globally recognized players: Strategy for Science and Technology Development of Russia (SSTD), National Technology Initiative (NTI) and “Digital Economy” program.
“Our primary challenge is the transition from local scientific agenda to response to large challenges presented by the Strategy for Science and Technology Development of Russia”, - Mr. Antonov said.
According to Deputy Governor, the creation of innovation ecosystem for major players will be a challenge for authorities. For the Tomsk region, such players are the scientific teams and project alliances that unite technology companies, universities and scientific institutions with the aim for specific niches of fast growing markets.
Universities will aim at restructuring their research for “major challenges”, NTI priorities and digital economy. “The innovation business of Tomsk will need to try out new forms of partnership to move away from conventional market, – Andrey Antonov mentioned, – and become recognizable for major players, integrate themselves in value chains”.
The result of a region’s integration into the work on “major challenges” will be evaluated by indicators: intensity of scientific cooperation, availability of advanced industry, growth of export revenue and the number of working-age people (aged 23 to 50).
In his speech, the Deputy Governor also mentioned a series of steps that the region plans to take to achieve the objectives. It includes changes in the R&D management system, re-focusing the strategies of universities and scientific institutions for SSTD, NTI and digital economy, introduction of international expert review for decision-making on research funding, launch of interdisciplinary research groups and fine-tuning of mechanisms for their funding, as well as making the bet on hi-tech business alliances focused on specific niches.
The discussion was also attended by Georgiy Poltavchenko, the Governor of Saint-Petersburg, Anatoliy Chubays, Chairman of Rosnano, Vladimir Knyaginin, Chairman of Severo-Zapad Fund and VP of Center for Strategic Research, Vladimir Vasilyev, Rector of ITMO University, Artyom Shadrin, Director of the Department for Strategic Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and others. The plenary meeting was moderated by Andrey Sharonov, President of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management.