An open meeting of the Academic Council was held at Moscow Polytech, where Rector Vladimir Miklushevskiy presented the University's development strategy through 2036. Pablo Iturralde, Director of the Advanced Engineering School of Technological Leadership FDR, joined the presentation as a co-speaker, outlining the School's development plans, key projects, and success stories of its graduates.
R&D Center: Infrastructure for the Full Development Cycle
By 2026, the FDR School had established an R&D Center designed to provide the full development cycle – from concept verification to implementation in production (TRL3 – TRL8). Its activities are organized across six specialized areas, each responsible for a specific stage of technological product development.
As before, the Engineering Development Center will support student projects and contribute to workforce training for industry.
The Reverse Engineering and Standardization Center will continue to develop a unified component base, helping improve the efficiency of import substitution and production processes.
The Virtual Testing Center will focus on the development of digital vehicle models and support R&D activities.
The Technology Support Center will be responsible for production support and quality control for ongoing projects.
The Engineering and Methodology Center will concentrate on developing project management methodology and introducing digital tools into educational and research activities.
A new Product Hypothesis Validation Center will focus on elaborating product ideas, including hypothesis formulation, monetization model development, and assessment of commercial maturity.
Technological Leadership Tracks: From Sports to Autonomous Logistics
In 2026, the FDR School plans to launch five projects aimed at solving applied engineering challenges at the intersection of engineering, digital technologies, and science.
Key initiatives include the development of next-generation skates for Russian professional athletes, the creation of a car simulator as a digital testing ground for international competitions, and the "Polytech DroneRacing" project – an autonomous FPV drone designed for international competitive and applied environments. Another significant track will be the development of a delivery robot, an autonomous last-mile logistics system for campus and urban environments.
"For me, technological leadership is not an abstraction. It is the moment when great Russian figure skaters will step onto the ice wearing skates developed by us, the engineers of the FDR School, rather than by Swiss manufacturers. That is our goal. And we are moving towards it," shared Pablo Iturralde.
By 2028, the FDR School plans to increase the total number of breakthrough projects to 15. These projects will be implemented through collaboration among students, faculty members, and industry partners.
People Are the Main Result
A separate part of the presentation was focused on FDR School graduates whose professional careers reflect the applied nature of the School's educational model and the competencies developed during their studies. School's Graduates remain actively involved in its activities and provide all kinds of support.
Anton Malyshev, a 2009 graduate of Moscow Polytech, built his career at Motul, progressing from Sponsorship Manager to Head of Marketing and Business Development. Since February 2022, he has served as Head of the Company’s New Business Models.
Marina Sokolova (Anyushina), a 2018 graduate, began her professional career at "TekLub LLC" as a Media and PR Manager. She later held leadership positions in advertising, marketing, and project management. Since July 2024, she has served as the company's Marketing Director.
Semyon Zemtsev, a 2017 graduate, has been involved in FDR School projects since 2012. He contributed to the development of the MIG electric motorcycle lineup, led the Electric Transport Laboratory, and implemented vehicle electrification projects. He currently works as Lead Engineer at the School, overseeing joint projects with "Avtotor Holding", "Merkator Holding", and "Rosatom"'s Composite Division.
Polina Sukhenko, a 2025 graduate, worked in the Procurement Department of the Engineering Development Center and with the FDR Moscow racing engineering team. She later completed an internship at the Milan-based design studio SIGNUM STILE SRL. Since December 2025, she has been working in the company on a permanent basis as Automotive and Motorsport Designer while continuing to collaborate with the FDR School.
Andrey Shibakov, a 2025 graduate, began his professional career at "Rosatom". While pursuing his master's degree in Racing Engineering, he led the Chassis Department of the FDR Moscow racing engineering team. Since 2026, he has been combining his roles as FDR Moscow Team Manager and lecturer at the Project-Based Learning Center with his work as a racing engineer for the professional team Capital RT.
The FDR School at Moscow Polytechnic University continues to develop an engineering education model focused on project-based learning, applied research and development, and cooperation with industry partners. Its strategy through 2036 includes further infrastructure development, expansion of the project portfolio, and the training of specialists capable of working not only in engineering roles but also in research and management positions.
