On February, 28 a panel session “Universities – centres of regional development” has been held during the Russian investment forum in Sochi. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, Minister of education and science of the Russian Federation O.Yu. Vasilyeva, and representatives of constituent entities of the Russian Federation and other experts.

They discussed interaction of the business community, regional authorities and universities, and participation of the business community in the setting of goals and tasks to develop University centres of innovation, technological and social development.

Deputy Deputy Prime Minister noted that it’s necessary to take the system of higher education seriously, as it is one of the main items both of income and competitive advantage.

“As a Government we have a task to change the system of incentives for high-tech production, so that enterprises start to invest in science. When an enterprise needs to develop a technology, everyone gets involved in, universities receive orders,” said O.Yu. Golodets.

She also added that development of higher education is the goal of both federal and regional authorities.

“Today the country has universities that are world leaders and specialize in specific issues. For example, MEPhI is one of the leaders in the number of students, the number of foreign students, scientific research, and the number of orders,” concluded the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Minister of education and science of Russia, in turn, spoke about the creation of new supporting universities.

“On February, 17 there was made a decision on the second phase of the competition of supporting universities, which will include 19 universities more. These are the universities from engineering, medical, socio-economic and pedagogical fields,” said O.Yu. Vasilyeva.