The History and Development of MSU Science Park
Moscow State University Science Park is one of the first technology parks in Russia.
The MSU Science Park was founded in accordance with the decision of Moscow State University’s Academic Council: Record # 4 from 15 October 1990.
The founders of MSU Science Park were organizations such as M.W. Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Innovation Fund of the National Committee of Science and Technology, a division of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
Mikhail Viktorovich Rychev was appointed the first general director of MSU Science Park in 1990. Mikhail Viktorovich directed the Science Park from its conception until 1999.
During the 7 years from 1992 until 1998, a total of 8 buildings were erected with office premises, laboratory and production facilities. These were used to house the first 20 projects and companies that were successfully selected through the competitive process.
In 1997 as a part of the Inter-agency Innovative Activity Program, construction started on the Information Analysis Center at the base of the MSU Science Park. This 7,500 m2 construction was financed both by the programme’s participants, through repayable funds, and by the innovation enterprises that were already operating in the Science Park at the time. The amount of non-budgetary financing came to more than 75% of the total funding.
On 25 January 1999 the ceremonial opening of the Information Technology Center of Moscow State University took place.
Taking part in the opening ceremony were the Rector of Moscow State University, Academician V.A. Sadovnichiy, the Vice Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Yu. D. Maslyukov, Minister of Science, Academician M.P. Kirpichnikov and the Director of the UNIDO, Carlos Magarinos.
During the ceremony, the new complex was honored with the award of an international certificate of the UNIDO organization, operating under the aegis of the United Nations. In the estimation of UNIDO experts, the Centre was the first one in Eastern Europe to meet the criteria designed for science parks, innovation centers and development zones.
In 2000 the Science Park received a certificate of State and Public accreditation #1.
On March 10, 2000 the Russian Union of Engineering and Technical Centers (ITC) foundation meeting took place in the Science Park. The founders of the Union were 21 innovation and technical centers (among them the MSU Science Park) from 8 regions of the Russian Federation.
Today the Union of Engineering and Technical Centers has a membership of more than 31 Centers, all working closely with more than 1,500 companies.
On September 15, 2008 the Science Park became a member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP).
