On May 22-23, Skoltech held its Frontiers of Progress conference. The extensive program included a session titled “Science at University: How To Keep Up With the Global Trend,” featuring the heads of four leading universities: Skoltech, MIPT, ITMO, and Pirogov University. The discussion centered on the role of a new type of university in advancing science and technology in Russia. The key topics included technology transfer, commercialization of research, cooperation between universities and industrial partners, reliable education policy, and more.

“Real Russian science is concentrated at a handful of the top Russian universities,” said MIPT Rector Dmitry Livanov. “Everyone seeks their own place in science. Instead of spreading ourselves too thin, we should focus on tasks that will yield quick results.”

“Every university should have its own signature projects. The question is, how do you choose those projects?” said Pirogov University Rector Sergey Lukyanov. “First, the project should address a universal problem that hasn’t been resolved in a satisfactory way for a long time. Second, you need a distinctive idea, technology, or vision. Third, you must have a clear understanding of your future product, partners, and markets. Finally, the university must have sufficient resources. If all these factors come together, you can launch the project with a high chance of success.”

“A single team can hardly face global challenges due to the lack of intellectual resources. The solution is simple: cooperation, not competition. Interdisciplinary teams can greatly enhance the expertise that any given university brings to bear on a problem,” said ITMO Rector Vladimir Vasiliev. “Two years ago, ITMO, Skoltech, and MIPT established the Clover League in photonics with little fanfare. Those who attended the exhibition know about the results.”

Skoltech President Alexander Kuleshov, who moderated the discussion, proposed a basic science and technology agenda combining two elements: “Most research is conducted under government contracts, and only a small portion goes to talented researchers who should be given the opportunity to pursue their own research interests. But how do we find the right balance between the two?” He added that some Skoltech centers are required to produce new technologies and achieve commercial success, while others, such as the photonics team, are expected to deliver on different KPIs. “Those teams will definitely achieve impressive commercial and economic results eventually, even though we may not live to see it,” Kuleshov said.

The participants discussed the gap between research and industry, as well as the ways of bridging it. Suggestions included setting up university production lines to help bring products to market, such as the mass production of Skoltech-designed 4G/5G base stations, and connecting research universities with companies in need of new ideas for economic growth and competitive edge.