While touring different schools and departments at MIT, the first deputy prime minister showed the most interest in innovation at the university. He inquired about the practical implementation of innovative solutions, intellectual property rights and the use of economic incentives to encourage applying scientific advances in industry.
In a conversation with MIT administrators and leading researchers, Mr Shuvalov noted that "the government must not remain on the sidelines for the creation and administration of innovative technologies." The first deputy prime minister also emphasised that "developing innovative strategies and markets is a major project involving the state, Russian universities, venture capital companies and foundations."