Advanced Training for Science and Technology Leaders: Second Module of RANEPA’s Presidential Academy Program
The second module of the Management Talent Pool Development Program in Science, Technology, and Higher Education concluded at the Presidential Academy of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). The event brought together 85 leaders from scientific organizations, laboratory heads, technology company representatives, and leading Russian universities, including Evgeny Knyazev, Head of the Molecular Physiology Laboratory at HSE University
Strategic Priorities: Bridging Science, Education, and Industry
The second module of the Management Talent Pool Development Program in Science, Technology, and Higher Education was held on April 16-19, 2025 in Moscow. The program, implemented by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin with support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, is hosted by RANEPA’s Higher School of Public Administration (HSPA) and Sirius University of Science and Technology. A key focus of the module was strengthening ties between academia and the private sector. Andrey Omelchuk, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, emphasized: “The state aims not only to increase science funding to 2% of GDP by 2030 but also to create effective mechanisms for commercializing research. This requires building an ecosystem where universities become innovation hubs and businesses act as implementation drivers.”
Alexander Mazhuga, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education, analyzed legislative initiatives for technological sovereignty: “Developing domestic standards in genetics, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence is not just a matter of prestige but a national security imperative. Our laboratories must evolve into competence centers capable of competing with global leaders.”
Practical Case Studies: From Theory to Implementation
Irina Rudskaya, Director of the Gazprom Neft Research and Education Center at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, presented a model for university-industry collaboration: “Over three years of joint work, we implemented 17 digital twins of technological processes, reducing new field development time by 40%. The key success factor is forming interdisciplinary student teams tackling real-world industry challenges.”
Andrey Badin, founder and CEO of Product Lab, conducted workshops on agile methodologies in scientific research: “Managing R&D projects demands flexibility. Implementing OKR (Objectives and Key Results) aligns institutional long-term goals with laboratory-level tasks while maintaining focus on breakthrough outcomes.”
Ethics, Leadership, and Global Context
Ekaterina Dronova, Director of the Academy of Diplomatic and Business Protocol, led a seminar on communication strategies in science diplomacy: “Participating in international collaborations like BRICS and SCO requires not only academic expertise but also cultural fluency. We’ve developed a cross-cultural communication matrix for scientists engaged in global projects.”
Nikita Marchenkov, Deputy Director of the Kurchatov Institute, highlighted megascience project management: “Fourth-generation synchrotron and neutron sources revolutionize materials science. However, their effective operation demands overhauling infrastructure management approaches—from personnel logistics to interagency coordination.”
Final Projects: Solutions for National Challenges
Participants presented 8 interdisciplinary initiatives in the field of the National Goals of the Russian Federation.
Evgeny Knyazev commented: “Our project on additional measures within the framework of the National Goal Technological Leadership received expert feedback from the Ministry of Education and Science, RANEPA and industry partners. This paves the way for implementing them in practice as early as 2025.”
Elena Shmeleva, Head of the Talent and Success Foundation, stated: “By 2030, 70% of program graduates will hold key positions in Russia’s science and technology sector, forming the backbone of the national Scientific and Technological Development Strategy.”