MIT to help build world-class university in Russia

Updated on: Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has signed a preliminary agreement with Russia's Skolkovo Foundation that will help create a "unique, world-class graduate research university" in the country.

The agreement for the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SIST) was signed at the recently concluded St Petersburg International Economic Forum and is expected to be followed by a definitive agreement, RIA Novosti reported.

SIST has been envisioned as a "collaborative project" that would connect Russia with the international scientific community and will be built in the country's 'Silicon Valley' in the Moscow suburb of Skolkovo.

The effort is planned to be a three-year collaboration between the prestigious American institute and the Skolkovo Foundation, a Russian nonprofit organisation.

"MIT faculty will assist in defining the structure and organisation of SIST and its educational and research programs, with a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship," the news agency reported.

The university is designed to integrate education, advanced research, and entrepreneurship and is expected to attract outstanding faculty, researchers, students and industrial participants from within the country and around the world.

SIST will be primarily funded by the Russian government with support from Russian and international business community.

MIT to help build world-class university in Russia

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