
On the face of it, Russia has strong tech foundations. Despite the economic tribulations that followed the Soviet Union's collapse, its scientific legacy lives on in the form of 3,500 scientific research institutes employing 600,000 scientists and engineers. Russian universities churn out some 200,000 science and engineering graduates each year.
Spearheaded by President Vladimir Putin, with backing from leading businessmen and investors, the country has embarked on a sweeping program to promote a high-tech economy. The prize this time: <A HREF="http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=53349">a position in the emerging technologies</A> that will shape the future global economy.