Creating Engineering Centers under the Auspices of Institutions of Higher Learning: The Case of Russia

The purpose of this research project has been studying Russia’s experience in establishing a network of engineering centers under the auspices of institutions of higher learning (IHL-run ECs) as an instrument for ensuring a complete life cycle for knowledge-intensive products. The researchers evaluated the progress in the implementation of the array of government-ordered measures to support the IHL-run ECs. Relying on their in-depth interviews with directors of functioning ECs, public officials and representatives of the supporting institutions, the researchers identify key obstacles to implementing the governmental program of setting up IHL-run ECs – one of the paramount obstacles, as the study appears to show, is systemic difficulties in interacting with big manufacturers. The researchers argue that it is necessary to provide more elaborate formal descriptions of engineering as an activity, step up the professional community’s efforts to establish a self-regulatory organization, and create an up-to-date national register of engineering companies. The findings can benefit the development of industrial engineering sector both inside and outside Russia.