The EISI noted the importance of cooperation for technological sovereignty

A round table of the Expert Institute for Social Research (EISR) was held in Moscow on the topic: "Working ahead of schedule. HowIs Russia moving towards technological sovereignty?" The subject of the expert discussion was the implementation of the emerging concept of technological sovereignty of Russia.

In his messages, the Russian president repeatedly touched upon the topic of high technologies, emphasizing the support not only of science, but also of entrepreneurs working in the field of high technologies, the participants of the round table noted. This topic became a key one at the recent meeting of the Presidium of the State Council for Industry, where the results of the formation of technological sovereignty, which is formed during the joint work of the state, business and the scientific community, were discussed.

At the round table in the EISI, which was attended by representatives of government, business and science, discussions were held on updating the science and higher education system to address the challenges facing the country, experts discussed areas of new Russian developments, existing cases and breakthrough solutions. The role of business in the formation of technological independence has not been ignored either.

According to Daria Kiryanova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, who is a member of the working group on the preparation of the "Concept of Technological Development of the Russian Federation until the Year 30," a seven-year horizon was chosen for its implementation, because during this period something can be achieved in a complex and complex process. She noted that the country is now entering a stage of development where the state has an incredible role in achieving technological sovereignty. Therefore, according to her, the concept very clearly outlines the role of the state and state support through such mechanisms as, for example, public-private partnership. She also noted the increasing role of governors and their interaction with the federal government.

The Governor Samara region Dmitry Azarov spoke about the serious achievements of the region in such industries as aerospace, engine building, unmanned aircraft, hydrogen, artificial intelligence in various areas — from engine building to the agricultural industry. He also stressed the important role of scientific and educational centers being created in the country on behalf of the president, which, in his opinion, are a powerful foundation for achieving technological sovereignty.

"Technological sovereignty is the main challenge for the industry. The issue of personnel is very important, we understand the responsibility at the regional level, the role of training qualified workers. We have made tremendous strides towards the development of universities. I would like to mention separately the project of world-class scientific and educational centers. A very serious groundwork has been created there. The REC is a link between science and production, because it includes both large industrial partners and small innovative companies," Dmitry Azarov said.

According to the Deputy General Director for Development and International Business of JSC "Science and Innovation" Rosatom State Corporation Pyotr Zelenov, the sanctions did not affect the company, because "the world has forgotten how to do something from what the nuclear industry can do, and it has never been able to do something." According to him, the company's goals at the current stage include increasing the share of foreign orders and new, non-nuclear products, and this cannot be done without science and without the introduction of new technologies.

Petr Zelenov said that every Rosatom enterprise is in one way or another a scientific and industrial association, a fusion of science and business, and that they try to implement the developed technologies independently, for example, in the aviation industry and in nuclear medicine. In his opinion, working out scientific groundwork on nuclear equipment, "we will still come to a competitive product that can be sold, including in foreign markets."

Fedor Senatov, Director of the Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, reported on the hardware and software complex for medical care created in the center he runs, which consists of three important medical devices. One of them is a cloth pistol for healing wounds caused by burns or received in a combat zone, which was developed by young scientists. He is able to help, according to him, when it is impossible to take a patient to the hospital or it is difficult to provide some kind of express assistance. The scientist considers it right and important to form consortia that can bring together, in his case, "manufacturers, developers, and clinicians in order to jointly enter products."

The situation is more complicated with the pharmaceutical industry, which is also part of the country's national security — the production of pharmaceutical products. A certain percentage of equipment in the pharmaceutical industry is imported equipment," explained Promomed Group Executive Director for Investment Activities Dmitry Zemskov.

"Nevertheless, most of the equipment and all technological solutions, for example, for the new factory of active pharmaceutical substances, were created in Russia. To enter export markets, we need government support for international clinical research — subsidizing the interest rate for a period of at least 10-15 years after the end of the investment cycle. This will support the emergence of a large number of domestic innovative drugs on the domestic and foreign markets, and the development of the export potential of original, domestic products to countries in Asia, Africa and South America," the expert added.

At the end of the discussion, the moderator of the round table, Daria Kislitsyna, Director of the EISI Regional Programs Department, noted that cooperation and pooling of resources are particularly important in achieving technological sovereignty. This is more important than competition in all areas today. Such a symbiosis will lead to the necessary result for the country, the experts summed up.

1. https://lenta.ru/news/2023/04/05/cooprtech/