During his visit Dmitry Medvedev held a session of the Skolkovo International Board of Trustees, saw a display of student innovative projects and took part in commencement exercises.
Photo with graduates of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Photo with Skolkov President Andrey Rappoport, Skolkovo Dean Andrei Sharonov and graduates
Meeting of the International Advisory Board of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Meeting of the International Advisory Board of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Meeting of the International Advisory Board of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets and Valentin Zavadnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy
Sberbank CIB Co-Head Ruben Vardanian
Andrei Sharonov, Dean of Skolkovo Moscow School of Management, and Alexander Voloshin, Head of the Working Group on Setting up an International Financial Centre within the Presidential Council for the Financial Market Development
Andrei Sharonov, Dean of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Tour of the exhibition of innovative projects by students, graduates and partners of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Tour of the exhibition of innovative projects by students, graduates and partners of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Dmitry Medvedev visits Skolkovo Moscow Management School
Dmitry Medvedev visits Skolkovo Moscow Management School
Photo with graduates of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management
Dmitry Medvedev: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I’d like to congratulate you on the seventh anniversary of the Skolkovo Moscow Management School. I remember how it all started, and it seems not long ago. We had different feelings about its future because this idea was unprecedented for our country although it is widespread in the rest of the world. In any event, I think this project was based on the right principles from the very start, which eventually determined its success. Much water has passed under the bridge since then. It is very good that both Russian and foreign business leaders have launched this project because they owe much of their success to venture investment.
As the head of the Board of Trustees, I have kept a close eye on the school’s development (and I hope we have been helpful in some respects) and would like to sincerely thank all those who have developed the school by investing talent and money in it.
Dmitry Medvedev: The Skolkovo Moscow Management School is definitely one of the leading private business schools in this country. The school offers educational products that are of interest to different types of business – small, medium and large companies. The best evidence of the school following the right path is that despite all difficulties and crises, it has started producing an operating profit.The school’s revenues amount to 1.8 billion roubles, or about $60 million.
This is definitely one of the leading private business schools in this country. I don’t want to rate it because that is not quite appropriate but the school offers educational products that are of interest to different types of business – small, medium and large companies. This is why they are involved with it.
Probably, the best evidence of the school following the right path is that despite all difficulties and crises, it has started producing an operating profit. I’ve just spoken with my colleagues, and it appears the school’s revenues amount to 1.8 billion roubles, or about $60 million. Its operating profit amounts to five million dollars, which is not bad for an educational institution.
The school’s educational programme is oriented to the developing markets that take into account the specific features of this country. It is entirely different from classic programmes of other business schools primarily because its practical training overrides theory. Importantly, the school has developed its own intellectual and business environment and has involved academics in its work. Direct contact between the school’s founders sitting at this table and its students is very important. To become the best in business, students should learn from the best, and this is one of the school’s most precious educational assets.
Naturally, many of its graduates want to start their own business. I know that the school established a special business community (Skolkovo Entrepreneurial Community) last year. All in all, the school has launched more than 100 business projects, and I hope this process will gain momentum. We’ll look at the display of what has been done and what is proposed for the future.
Dmitry Medvedev: Naturally, Skolkovo’s experience should be used to make our entire education system more effective and competitive. The programme New Leaders of Higher Education is a good example of this. Dozens of Russian rectors have attended its annual course on the world’s best examples of university management.
Naturally, Skolkovo’s experience should be used to make our entire education system more effective and competitive. The programme New Leaders of Higher Education is a good example of this. Dozens of Russian rectors have attended its annual course on the world’s best examples of university management.
The school’s influence is not limited to the educational environment but spreads to the regions. This means a lot for our country because it is so vast, which is a source of both our strengths and difficulties. Importantly, the school’s experience extends to the places where it is high in demand. I’m referring to innovational educational programmes and expert support on behalf of the school’s analytical centres. All these factors should help us create a proper culture for doing business. We are following this uphill road and should continue improving our business climate and making this country more attractive for entrepreneurs.
I’d like to congratulate you all on the school’s anniversary once again. I hope we’ll exchange opinions now and want to wish success to everyone.
I’d also like to congratulate Mr Sharonov (Andrei Sharonov, Rector of the Skolkovo School) whom you all know on his appointment as the Rector. Please accept my best wishes on this occasion!
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