HSE University Expands Cooperation with the World's Leading Foresight Centres
HSE University has signed cooperation agreements with two of the world's leading research centres, NISTEP (Japan) and TIFAC (India), which provide their governments with analytical support to inform science and technology forecasting and science and technology policy.
The agreements were signed by HSE First Vice Rector Leonid Gokhberg. The Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) will coordinate the implementation of the agreements. The Institute will focus on the analysis, monitoring, and forecasting in the spheres of science, technology, innovation (STI), and information society. The Institute will also be devoted to the development of evidence-based policy measures in these areas and cooperating with the world's leading centres. The Asia-Pacific region and the BRICS countries represent the most important vectors for the development of joint international projects.
The agreements focus on developing cooperation between HSE University and the centres in the field of science, technology and innovation policy, statistics and foresight, analysis of innovation systems, research and innovation strategies, as well as expanding strategic partnerships based on the principles of equality. In addition, the parties will ensure a legal framework for the implementation of joint research projects.
The National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT), a pioneer in the field of national forecasting of scientific and technological development, has been a key HSE ISSEK partner in Japan over the past years. The institutes signed cooperation agreements in 2014 and 2017. ‘During more than a decade of cooperation with our Japanese partners, we have accumulated significant experience with collaborating on STI policy and technological foresight. NISTEP representatives are members of the ISSEK International Supervisory Board,’ says Alexander Sokolov, Director of the International Research and Educational Foresight Centre and Deputy Director of the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge.
The agreement between HSE University and the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council of the Department of Science and Technology of India (TIFAC) was signed for the first time as part of the expansion of cooperation under India's BRICS presidency in 2021.The agreement focuses on implementing joint projects that involve analysing the existing scientific and technological potential, competencies, trends, and demand for scientific and technological solutions in Russia and India in priority areas.
The decision to sign bilateral agreements between HSE University and NISTEP and TIFAC is a result of successful scientific cooperation. Representatives of the organizations regularly make presentations at the annual International Academic Conference ‘Foresight and STI Policy’ and the ‘Foresight and STI Policy’ symposium held as part of the April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development held by HSE University. In 2021, the partner institutions plan to begin a joint comparative study of the national priorities of scientific and technological development in Russia and India. Experts from different countries, including Japan and India, will participate in the development of a new long-term forecast series of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation.
The National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) has been developing long-term forecasts of Japan's scientific and technological development for more than 45 years. The Institute conducts research at the national level and is rightfully considered a world leader in foresight. Since 1971, every 5 years the Institute conducts large-scale forecast projects, employing mainly the Delphi method. As a result, a series of national reports is published under the auspices of NISTEP. Due to the fact that NISTEP is affiliated with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the results of the foresight research are directly integrated into policymaking decisions.
The Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council of the Department of Science and Technology of India (TIFAC) is an independent organization founded in 1988 to assess modern technology and determine the direction of India's technological development in key social and economic sectors. As a unique think tank supported by the Government of India, TIFAC holds a strategic position in the national science and technology system. The organization has considerable experience with developing scientific and technological forecasts, creating strategies for technological development, preparing analytical reports in various technological areas, conducting surveys of technology markets, and more.
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