Kendrick D. White, an American entrepreneur and the founder of Nizhny Novgorod-based Marchmont Capital Partners, has been recently appointed vice rector for innovation policy at the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN).
While many foreigners are advisors to Russian academic administrations or join project teams in Russian universities, Kendrick appears to be one of the few foreigners ever to receive a position at the very top of a leading Russian university’s administration, MarchmontNews.com notes.
“For me, this is a fantastic honor. There are only a handful of countries and cultures that are able to create truly new innovations. Russia is one of those countries, and Russian scientists are able to work at a top level comparable to anyone in the world,” White said.
While fundamental science is “absolutely critical and should not be disturbed,” the new vice rector aims to help the University understand how these new discoveries can be commercialized and on what markets – both in Russia and internationally.
Lobachevsky University has already done a great deal to establish international ties through the EURECA-1 and now EURECA-2 programs, which have established the US-Russia International Innovation Corridor.
“The EURECA program is a good place to start,” White said, adding that his objective is to enhance and improve strong partnerships in the US, in the EU, in Asia, and in the Middle East.
White is going to recommend the creation of a ‘proof-of-concept center,’ which he defines as “a fast track to documenting discoveries, applying for patents, and making a valuation of technologies.” Such a center would be added to the University’s existing Innovation Technology Center and the Tech Transfer Department.
