TRIPLE HELIX noms.pmd

P-017University cluster: Russian experienceGleb Dvoryatkin, Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radio-Electronics (TUSUR), Russian FederationThe work of Educational Scientific Innovative Complex (ESIC) of Tomsk state university of control systems and radio-electronics(TUSUR) in context of cluster theory is analyzed in this science work. The principles of interaction among the structures of theuniversity and innovative companies included in LSIC are considered.Economic transformations in Russia bring around new economic mechanisms in all fields, including higher professional education.Which methods can play the key role in modernization of Russian business and educational system? Which mechanisms areable to create fertile ground to boost competitiveness potential? What are the advantages of these mechanisms facilitatingbusiness and innovations development? This research attempts to answer these as well as many other questions.The majority of leading Russian universities are undertaking purposeful actions for improving their structure and managementsystems in order to meet the needs of the current economic situation in Russia. One of the methods to respond to thesechallenges is consolidation of educational organizations and innovative companies in clusters.Cluster is a group of geographically concentrated interconnected companies and organizations related to them, which aremutually complimentary and specialize in a certain sphere [1].This definition focuses on three basic characteristics of clusters:• Geographic localization.• Interconnection among the companies.• Technological interdependence of different fields.Educational Scientific Innovative Complex (ESIC) of Tomsk state university of control systems and radio-electronics (TUSUR)fully corresponds to these characteristics and definitions, which means that in fact it is a cluster. ESIC is created on the basisof the university in order to develop mutually beneficial partnership and entrepreneurial processes between TUSUR and itsbusiness-environment, to create favorable conditions for innovative activity.ESIC TUSUR includes research institutes, design bureaus, student design bureaus, engineering centers, student businessincubator, science laboratories, innovative companies created by TUSUR alumni. The main feature of ESIC is that every firm hasits “own” structure inside the university (research institute, design department or science lab, creative team within the systemof collective project training or in business incubator, etc.) and provides it with orders, financing, themes for students researchwork and final theses. There is a constant circulation of information about human resources inside ESIC. It means that informationabout a student or an employee spreads immediately within the cluster, which on one side creates awareness about personaland professional qualities of certain people inside the ESIC, and on the other stimulates competitiveness among these people.Hence, ESIC is a net-shaped cluster located in a specific geographic region (Tomsk) where close location of firms allows themto enjoy the benefits of increased communal efficiency and improves the frequency and level of their interaction.Educational process in TUSUR is designed in a special way, whereby a student develops in the innovation filled environment,studies and absorbs the basics of innovative thinking, and therefore gains capability to implement innovative projects in “reallife”. In fact if an innovative project lies in the field of control systems, information technologies and electronics, the order for R&Dwill most likely be given TUSUR, rather other university or research organization.TUSUR creates the conditions and motivates students to start up their own companies, which are oriented towards knowledgebasedbusiness. It should be noted that 115 companies of Tomsk IT-sector are created by TUSUR alumni, which constitutesabout 80% of the market.The other numbers and facts are also quite impressive:• The number of companies and private entrepreneurs in high-tech industry, which are included in ESIC, and possess their ownorganization status in the university – 100 companies and private entrepreneurs.• The total amount of companies created by TUSUR alumni – 176 companies.• The volume of services provided by ESIC companies in 2009 – 15,2 billion rubles, which is about $500 million.• The volume of private business investment in ESIC companies in 2009 – 400,5 million rubles, which is about $14 million.• Capacity of student business-incubator - 3300 m2, 300 work places.• The number of companies which came out from the incubator – 15 companies [3].Madrid, October 20, 21 & 22 - 201079