Insights and insides about the ISSEK Master's programme
“We have a motto to follow: ‘The programme is designed not for professors but for students’”, — Dr. Dirk Meissner, the academic director of the Master’s programme “Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation” said smiling broadly. On 14 April, within the framework of the Open Doors Day, there was a 2-hour conversation with the involvement of potential and current students, professors, representatives of state agencies, business and development companies devoted to programme objectives and reasons for choosing this particular programme.
Insight
The terms “innovation”, “technology”, “innovation policy” may be heard from mass media, colleagues and friends several times a day, but what do they really stand for? It is announced in the newspaper that “Switzerland is the most innovative country”, but how can the level of innovation be measured? The Master’s program “Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation” teaches students not only to use such terminology in the proper context but understand how the innovation system works from inside.
One of the main programme objectives is to teach how to convert an idea into a real product which willenter the mass market and attract the audience, and to explain how research fellows, businessmen andgovernment representatives can reach this objective. There is often a misunderstandingbetween the scientist and the manager due to different opinions on the product promotion. Thescientist may not always feel and understand the real market as well as the manager may not understand special features of some invention, therefore, there is demand for a competent expert who would be able to help them communicate efficiently.
One of the programme’s specific features is students’ involvement in research. While studying, students can take a research internship in foreign organizations and take part in student exchange or double degree programs at foreign partner universities. The detailed information can be found on the program website. The program curriculum includes theory as well as case analysis, so the acquired knowledge can be applicable in the academic field, business or government management.
“Higher School of Economics (HSE) is one of our key partners in preparing analytical materials. We work in collaboration on the development of innovative clusters, engineering centers, foreign economic relations. In particular, HSE helps with preparation of analytical data for the Ministry of Economic Development when we represent our country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)”, — Artem Shadrin, the director of the department of social development and innovations of the Ministry, said.
“HSE qualification and competences have been proved by its collaboration with Gazprom. The university has the status of a key partner higher education institution of our company, and a new educational programme will certainly generate experts with a unique set of skills required in management of innovations, as it is the basis for a successful business”, — Nikolay Nesterov, the department deputy head of Gazprom, said.
The current agenda of the government in the field of innovations is oriented towards putting economics on technological footing following sort- and long-term priorities, Igor Agamirzyan, the director and the chairman of Russian Venture Company, said. In order to understand which way technological trends are developing and what will become a growth driver in 15–20 years, it is necessary not only to have some deep understanding of existing projects but also to be able to use the tools for technological forecast.
According to Igor Rubenovich, HSE has the strongest school of Foresight (the method used for long-term forecasting of top-priority directions in the development of science). Possessing all necessary knowledge, it is possible to become the leader of the future technological breakthrough.
“Some Russian companies have already become leaders in the global market, for example, the well-known Kaspersky brand and a lot of Russian IT companies. Nevertheless, the development of the technological market in Russia does not correspond to the human resources involved in the Russian economy in total; therefore, we all are extremely interested in considering innovation area in the longer term. It was declared at the highest level. It also means that we need to decide here and now what children and students should be taught at schools and universities in order to get enough qualified specialists for the future economy”,— Igor Agamirzyan added.
Inside
“Frankly speaking, I didn't really understand what I was taught during the first six months of studying but later I realized how useful the program was”,— Alyona Protasova, the first year Master student shared her impressions about the programme with the audience. The first half of the year is mainly devoted to learning theoretical fundamentals which can mislead students at first, but then the practical part becomes prevailing which leads to the expected balance between theory and practice.
“First of all, you will learn how to write academic papers. Undoubtedly, you have written quite a lot including compositions, essays and diploma. But only here you will be taught to raise a ‘research’ question properly. Among our professors there are editors of widespread scientific journals. Moreover, you will acquire such practical skills of information search as bibliometric, statistical and patent analysis. What can be interesting enough is that the program is interdisciplinary, so our group consists of economists, managers, doctors, musicians and some other specialists in different fields. While completing a group task, everyone can make their valuable contribution”, — Pavel Bakhtin, the Master student and ISSEK research assistant tells the potential students.
“Students get a lot of freedom in the sense that teachers welcome their own ideas and give students a chance to choose the research field they are really interested in”, — another Master student, Vladislav Belyaev, noted.
Students with absolutely different backgrounds can apply for studying on the programme. “We are mostly interested in your achievements, goals and hobbies “, — Leonid Gokhberg, the first vice rector and ISSEK director, admitted. Nevertheless, Bachelor's degree is also of importance, as general admission requirements are quite strict including a high level of English language proficiency.
The new ISSEK programme attracts Russian and international graduates mainly by its key features, namely commitment to results needed for boosting economics of knowledge, interdisciplinary approach and orientation at out-of-box solutions. It was listed among the top-7 HSE Master’s programmes based on the enrolment competition of year 2014.
By Andrey Kucherov