Nikolay Kropachev at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum: ‘Responding to the challenges of the Magadan Region economy is a challenging task for the University’

The agreement provides for systemic cooperation in: developing education in the region; creating conditions for staffing in the region’s economy; developing and implementing new science and technology approaches in the interests of industry; and developing an expert base for making objective managerial decisions.

Sergey Nosov, Governor of the Magadan Region, noted that the signing of the agreement with St Petersburg University on the margins of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum is of special significance.

Educational cooperation is of paramount importance for us. And I am sure that the potential of the University will make it possible to train qualified personnel for the development of our region’s economy.

Sergey Nosov, Governor of the Magadan Region

Additionally, the agreement provides for the development of joint projects and the involvement of academic and research institutions of the region in the Mendeleev Research and Educational Cluster of St Petersburg University.

‘The University has a rich experience of cooperation with various regions of Russia in: making expert examinations commissioned by the regional government; developing joint academic programmes to support the region with the necessary personnel; and many other areas. We are happy to transform our experience and best practices to address the challenges of a particular constituent entity of the Russian Federation. We are also confident that the consolidation of efforts of St Petersburg University and the government of the Magadan Region help accelerate the science and technology development of the whole country. The Magadan Region is one of the unique subjects of our country. The more interesting it will therefore be for the University to respond to the challenges of its economy,’ said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

One of the goals of St Petersburg University as a leading classical university is related to improving the quality of Russian higher education, and expanding the contribution of the national academic school to achieving the results defined by the national priorities of Russia’s technological and socio-economic development.

These tasks are included in the St Petersburg University Strategic Plan and are contained in the University’s project − the Mendeleev Research and Educational Cluster. It provides for a set of measures to support regional development aimed at: creating conditions in the constituent entities of Russia for staffing the innovation industry; and developing new technological chains between universities and enterprises of strategically important sectors of the Russian economy.

Today, among the participants in the Mendeleev programme and its partners are representatives of more than 20 constituent entities of the country, including regional flagship universities, and national research and federal universities. The joint potential of the cluster is used to develop road maps and science and technology projects in liaison with local executive authorities. At present, St Petersburg University has established stable and fruitful relations with many regions, including the Omsk Region, the Republic of Karelia, Kaliningrad, and the Ivanovo Region to name just a few.