Coming from a family of rural teachers, Yuri from an early age was accustomed to work hard and achieve the goals. Even at school fascinated by mathematics, he had entered the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics at Kazan State University and graduated in 1976. In 1980 he already became a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, and soon received an invitation to work in the most prestigious mathematical institutes, such as Mittag-Leffler Institute of the Swedish Academy of Sciences, Steklov Mathematical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences and the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of Russian Academy of Sciences.

Passionate character of Yuri Hohlov constantly wiggled him to search new areas of application of his knowledge and skills. Upon reaching progress in the field of mathematics, Yuri Hohlov became close to live only in the world of mathematical formulas and equations. Life and fate made him to live in a new way. In 1980s Yuri became a leader of the team, successfully implemented the mission of the industry. This team developed software system modelling the processes of development of large gas fields in Western Siberia. And in early 1990s Yuri became one of the founders of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR).

In 1996 Yuri, one of the first actively dealt with the problems of the information society development in Russia. He became a member of Supervisory Board of the World Bank's infoDev Program "Development of a national policy dialogue in the field of telecommunications in Russia" (1997). Together with a number of leading experts in the field of telecommunications, computer science and information policy in 1998 he initiated establishment of the Institute of the Information Society - the country's first independent research and analytical organization professionally dealt with the problems of the information society. And currently he is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the organization. On the initiative and with the participation of Dr. Yuri Hohlov, in 2000-2001 the “Concept of Moscow's Advancement towards the Information Society”.

Dr. Yuri Hohlov was the Chairman of the Information Technology Section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), a member of the international jury of the Global Bangemann Challenge and the Stockholm Challenge, member of the Supervisory Board of the European project “DELOS - Network of Excellence on Digital Libraries“, member of the Presidium of the Europe and Central Asia Virtual University, the Chairman of the Expert Panel of the Russian E-Development Partnership (PRIOR), Chairman of the Expert Panel of the Ministry of Economic Development  and Trade of the Russian Federation for the regional contests under the Electronic Russia Federal Target Program (2002-2010)”, coordinator of the Regional Network for Europe and Central Asia of the UN ICT Task Force, Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Group of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on the Information Society Development.

All projects in which he participated were always full of his ideas, initiatives and the most advanced approaches in addressing emerging challenges. Dr. Yuri Hohlov’s merits in the field of the information society development in Russia were repeatedly marked by departmental diplomas and gratitude. Recently, he was awarded the honorary “Master of Communications” - industry award of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation.

All colleagues from the Institute of the Information Society whole-heartedly congratulate Dr. Yuri Hohlov on his jubilee and wish him good health, professional longevity and personal happiness.