Science Counselor Moscow

Russia's Endeavors in Science, Technology and Education

Contemporary Russian science, technology and education are largely based on the potential accumulated during the Soviet times, however, the tradition of excellence in education and science roots back from the 18-th and 19-th centuries. In spite of the hardships of the 1990s, the country has managed to revive these areas, and is making considerable efforts to further develop them by:

1. significant budget allocations:
   • expenses only for civilian science are earmarked for 2008-2010 at $16.7 billion;
   • nanotechnologies are specified as one of the priority research areas with a budget of about $8 billion for the next four-five years;
   • state expenses for education in 2008-2010 will be about $37.5 billion;
2. implementation of the national priority project in education and S&T;
3. creation of special economic zones for technology and research, envisaging economic incentives for high-tech companies;
4. creation of the Venture Capital Fund for Innovative Technologies;
5. significant reforms in education and science:
   • commercialisation of research products;
   • compliance with the Bologna process.

All these endeavors make Russia an attractive partner for foreign countries in the areas of science, technology and education. Therefore, Switzerland has established a Science and Technology Post in Moscow and chosen Russia as a priority country for scientific and technological cooperation.

Goals and Objectives of Science and Technology Officer in Russia

The goal of the Science and Tehnology Officer in Moscow is to facilitate Swiss-Russian relations in the field of science, technology and education by:

• Promoting a dialogue between the Swiss and Russian Governments;
• Reporting on the latest developments in the S&T policy in Russia and achievements of its scientists;
• Providing support for existing and developing new cooperative S&T projects between Switzerland and Russia;
• Improving student and professor exchanges between our countries.

All these endeavors are meant to lead to a full-fledged agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between Switzerland and Russia which should lay a solid basis for further development of on-going and future joint scientific and technological projects.