Rustam Minnikhanov: Innopolis is a powerful federal IT center solving tasks countrywide

On 14 April at a meeting on development of Skokovo and Innopolis innovative ecosystems held in the Special Economic Zone of Innopolis in Tatarstan, President of the republic Rustam Minnikhanov, the Chairman of the VEB.RF State Development Corporation Igor Shuvalov, the Chairman of the Skoltech Fund Board Igor Drosdov, Deputy Prime Minister of the republic Roman Shaykhutdinov and representatives of the Innopolis Innovations Center discussed implementation of joint projects, broadening cooperation between Skoltech and the Innopolis University as well as joint projects with the VEB.RF in development of the innovations sphere in Innopolis. 

Speaking at the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov said that the VEB.RF is the longtime strategic partner of the republic and finances implementation of projects of large enterprises in the region and the development of mono cities infrastructure. “It is very important for us that the Innopolis project has been also included into the area of VEB.RF interests”, he underlined.

The cooperation of Tatarstan with the Skolkovo Innovations Center and the Skoltech Institute is also developing successfully, he continued. “I visited you recently. It is a very powerful center with advanced developments. We have complete mutual understanding and need joint projects today. That is why it is important that we are progressing to concrete business documents” Minnikhanov said and informed that IT sphere of the republic comprises about 3 thousand companies and more than 40 thousand specialists. 

He paid attention to the fact that the Innopolis plays a special role in innovative development and that “Innopolis is not just a regional platform but a powerful federal IT center solving tasks countrywide”.  

Minnikhanov stressed out that the university is the scientific center of the science city and one of the most prestigious IT universities of Russia with about 900 students from 44 countries. He said that the university actively works with such largest companies of Russia as Gaspromneft Oil and Gas Company, SIBUR Oil Company, Transneft Oil Company, Nornikel, Rushydro and others.  

“It is necessary to continue developing Innopolis for reaching all set targets. First of all, we should build new social and industrial infrastructure facilities and accommodation for specialists. There are also plans concerning new technical parks and development of the Special Zone. I am sure the implementation of these projects will facilitate innovative development of Russia”, he concluded. 

In his turn Igor Shuvalov highly assessed potential of Innopolis development. “The city is successful, its infrastructure is developing and it has first class jobs. Innopolis University occupies a special place and we are planning to establish a real partnership together with Skolkovo and Skoltech project. We hope to become flagship of the innovational development of the country here. Under current conditions we can rely only on ourselves”, he said. 

“We hope that by joining our efforts we will be able to provide best possibilities to those who are planning to support innovational development. Tatarstan and Innopolis have a bright future”, he concluded. 

Rustam Minnihanov added that it is necessary to develop cooperation with Skolkovo for further growth of Innopolis and special attention should be paid to training specialists as “the demand in them is huge. Both Skolkovo and Innopolis should have a decisive role in this”. 

In the end of the meeting a number of cooperation agreements were signed between the Innopolis Special Economic Zone and the Skolkovo Fund and the Skoltech and Innopolis University.