Lobachevsky University provides training to work with Russian-made software
The first stage of the strategy session "Analysis of scientific and technical reserves of the Nizhny Novgorod region entities, identification of technological deficits of industrial enterprises in the Nizhny Novgorod region" concluded in Nizhny Novgorod. The event was organised by the Research and Education Centre (REC) of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
30 representatives of Lobachevsky University were involved in the work of the thematic groups of the strategy session: "Management System", "Refining, Petrochemistry and Chemistry", "Electronics and Information Technology", "Creative Industries", "Biotechnology and Medicine", "Agriculture", "Construction Materials and Technologies", and "Energy Saving and Carbon Regulation".
At the head of the UNN delegation at the session were Rector Elena Zagaynova, Vice-Rector for Innovation Mikhail Shiryaev and Vice-Rector for Research Mikhail Ivanchenko.
University representatives took an active part in discussing topical issues of restructuring the region's economy in the current conditions and identifying the main problems and tasks of science and technology development. Much of the group discussion focused on microelectronics, chemical industry, medical industry and information technologies. In all these fields, Lobachevsky University is one of development drivers. It determines both the research agenda and applied innovative results that the modern regional economy needs", noted Mikhail Shiryaev, UNN Vice Rector for Innovation.
Another topic of discussion was the further development of the IT sector, which has faced serious challenges due to the sanctions imposed by Western computer software and hardware companies.
" Russia needs a fully indigenous ecosystem of software products to meet the challenges of business, science and the economy. This includes end-user software, development environments, and system software (operating systems, compilers, DBMS, etc.)," said Nikolay Zolotykh, Director of the UNN Institute of Information Technology, Mathematics and Mechanics, on the last day of the strategy session.
The government is taking unprecedented measures to support the IT sector on several fronts at once. The education sector also has a role to play in meeting the challenges facing the IT industry.
" Universities should now pay special attention to training and retraining, with a focus on specialists who are able to work with Russian-made or free software. In addition, it is necessary to continue developing in-demand knowledge-intensive areas, such as artificial intelligence, big data, mathematical modelling, supercomputing, Internet of things, etc. Such work is already being done by Lobachevsky University," Nikolay Zolotykh noted.
UNN works in close cooperation with many Russian software companies, including such giants as Yandex, Sber, RFNC-VNIIEF, and Greenatom enterprises. University and company representatives implement programmes in data analysis and artificial intelligence, develop new courses in software engineering, set up an industrial programming laboratory, etc.
"Only through close cooperation between industry, business, government, science and education can the right development strategies be worked out. The platform for such a dialogue at the regional level is provided by the IT Council of Lobachevsky University and the Neimark IT campus being created by the Governor's team together with the region's leading universities," believes Nikolay Zolotykh.
As a result of the four phases of the strategy session, a unified position on the issues of scientific and technological development of the Nizhny Novgorod region will be elaborated.
" The Nizhny Novgorod region will further strengthen its position as a leading region in IT education. Lobachevsky University will also continue to train professionals, develop training programmes in supercomputing and artificial intelligence technologies. We are ready to respond to the new market needs. Our main goal is to ensure Russia's sovereignty in the IT industry," summed up Elena Zagaynova.
