Skolkovo Endowment Board approves Technological University model

ST. PETERSBURG (Itar-Tass) - Members of the Skolkovo
Endowment Board approved a model for Skolkovo Technological University in
cooperation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The relevant document is expected to be signed at the Petersburg
International Economic Forum on June 17.
The approved model envisions "closer interaction between the
university's research centre and customers from the real sector of the
economy", Skolkovo Endowment Vice President Stanislav Naumov, who is
responsible for work with governmental authorities and the public, said.
University graduates will be invited not only to continue research at
several departments but also get involved in innovation projects.
Just like the Skolkovo innovation centre, Skolkovo Technological
University is unique. "It will be a pilot model for the development of
small towns and improvement of the Russian system of universities," Naumov
said.
The Board also created the budget committee that will, among other
things, attract private funding. Sixty residents of the innovation centre
have already brought in about 0.5 billion roubles. "We plan to attract
about three billion roubles worth of private investments by the end of the
year," he said.
The next meeting of the Board will be held in early October in one of
the foreign countries where the Board members have their headquarters.
"The Board includes officials from major European, American and Indian
companies," Naumov said.
International Technological University in Skolkovo will become
operational in 2013, Skolkovo Endowment President Viktor Vekselberg said.