The discussion focused on the role of universities in building a national innovation ecosystem. NU Provost Adesida Ilesanmi made a presentation on the innovation ecosystem for universities and shared the NU experience.
NU has about 7,000 students in 81 academic programs. Since 2018 the postdoctoral program has attracted 52 research postdocs. This year, 10 Kazakhstani postdocs became Assistant Professors.
The development of education, together with research, contributes significantly to the economic renewal of the country. According to Provost NU, to build an innovation system, universities should help students to develop skills such as design thinking and entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Students study business fundamentals, business law as required courses, and ethics to understand academic and research integrity fully. The University has an entire innovation infrastructure, including a Technopark, an Technology Commercialization Office, business incubation and acceleration programs, motivational and inspirational events, NU Research Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Aidar Zhakupov, General director of NURIS, discussed NU Innovation Cluster during the panel session. He said that they want to see greater involvement of scientists in innovative projects, infrastructure development, and a boost of the Technopark brand as a center of attraction for innovative companies.
Other panel sessions of the Forum were devoted to innovations, management issues in this area, innovation’s impact on society’s social development, and other topics.
