Commencement of Cooperation between the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran and Skolkovo Business School of Russia

A joint meeting was held on Tuesday, May 10 between members of Sever Group of Russia and members of Skolkovo Business School of Russia and the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran.

This meeting was attended by Mr. Oleg Remiga, Director of Asia and Middle East Development at Skolkovo Business School, Ms. Steliana Verotskaya Kava, Director of Development Programs at Skolkovo Business School, Mr. Alexander Kolobov, member of the Board of Directors of Sever Group and Director of Commercial Development of the organization and head of Consulting Services Department, Mr. Anatoly Timofeev, head of Correspondence and Communications with Science and Technology Parks and head of Search for Innovative Solutions in Various Fields, Mr. Ivan Dashchenko, head of matters related to gold mining and extraction and provision of consulting services, Mr. Buslan Ibragimov, head of Quality Improvement, Mr. Alexey Stepanov, head of New Management Approaches, Dr. Iraj Alah Dadi, Deputy for Technology Development of the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran, Dr. Hadi Ghofurian Yavarpanah, Executive and Technical Deputy of the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran, Engineer Meysam Yousefi, Head of Innovation and Growth Center of the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran, Engineer Marzieh Khanzadeh, Public Relations Manager of the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran and Engineer Tina Keihani, Planning and Budget Manager of the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran.

Sever Group was one of the initial founders of Skolkovo Business School and is also considered one of its business partners and customers. Sever Group is engaged in commercial, economic and industrial activities and has defined objectives for traveling to Iran and visiting the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran.

Mr. Oleg Remiga, Director of Asia and Middle East Development at Skolkovo Business School, elaborated on the objectives of this meeting, saying: Given that the Skolkovo complex is considered one of the most advanced management schools in Russia and many Russian organizations and companies (more than 50 percent of major Russian companies) participate in its educational courses on an ongoing basis, and also due to the importance of the topic of knowledge-based companies and issues related to innovation and optimization of the performance of various complexes in both Iran and Russia, we decided to define common points for cooperation.

He added: With regard to the sanctions situation in Iran and experience in confronting this issue, our team, by considering the current political geography of the region and the world, found exchange and transfer of experiences with Iran important in this regard, which can be useful for the Russian Federation. Our thinking is that the Skolkovo complex and its companies and customers can benefit from Iran’s valuable experiences. This is a key goal of this meeting and visit to the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran.

Mr. Alexander Kolobov, a member of the Board of Directors of Sever Group and Director of Commercial Development of the organization, introduced the Sever Group complex and said: There are seven downstream companies in the Sever Group, where about 140,000 industrial employees work in these major companies, and specifically 400 employees of this complex are professionally engaged in designing, arranging and advancing knowledge-based and innovative programs. We also focus on initiatives and objectives to improve and optimize staff performance quality.

Kolobov stated the main request of the Sever Group complex: Until February 24, we had access to collaborate with all international startups and innovative international businesses, now we are trying to find startup teams and innovative SMEs in friendly collaborating countries.

He said with reference to a specific list of requests: We will carry out activities according to this list and try to find knowledge-based companies with innovative and creative approaches. In this way, we can cooperate with a pragmatic approach.

Kolobov, referring to recent events in Russia, said: This has caused us not to have access to major international hubs providing new technology services. With this in mind, cooperation with science and technology parks and knowledge-based companies in neighboring countries including Iran has been included in our programs.

Dr. Iraj Alah Dadi, Deputy for Technology Development of the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran, introduced the Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran and said: The Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran is considered the largest urban park in Iran and has branches in all parts of Iran where the University of Tehran is active.

Noting that the University of Tehran is a comprehensive university, he stated: The University of Tehran is active in all scientific and research fields and has 55,000 students and 2,200 faculty members.

Dr. Alah Dadi, recalling that the useful history of innovation and technology in Iran dates back three to four decades ago, elaborated: The Science and Technology Park of University of Tehran started its activities about twenty years ago and currently, with incubators and individuals considered, has nearly 500 technology members. Most park companies are active in information technology, Internet of Things, biomedical engineering, agriculture and oil and gas.

Dr. Alah Dadi referred to sanctions issue in Iran and stressed: Sanctions created an opportunity for us to rely on domestic technologies and domestic activities. In fact, sanctions in some cases have been more beneficial for us than detrimental.

At the end of this meeting, visits were paid to Haft Sin, Sepasin, Faraz Ertebat, Herongarpars and Dahiyan Pezeshki Pishro companies.