Rector of Saratov State University Alexei Chumachenko took part in a panel discussion on the topic Who will you work after university, or why should you get higher education today?. The discussion opened a series of events dedicated to the start of the 2024 admission campaign. The meeting was held at the international multimedia press-centre of the Russia Today media group in Moscow.
The dialogue was attended by Rector of Novosibirsk State University Mikhail Fedoruk, Rector of Siberian State Medical University Evgenii Kulikov, and Dean of the Faculty Philology at Pushkin State Russian Language Institute Anastasia Solomonova. The discussion was moderated by Head of the Office for Educational and Social Projects of the Russia Today international media group Natalia Tyurina.
The event was focused on the relevance of higher education as a personnel pool. Representatives of universities commented which applicants universities are waiting for, discussed the growth in the number of students enrolled in vocational courses, and shared their experience of graduate employment.
‘A classical university is not only higher education, but also secondary vocational education. We have noticed an increase in interest in the courses offered by our colleges – Geology College and the College of Radioelectronics, indeed. The SSU colleges enrol trained and motivated applicants. Nevertheless, a shortage of applicants is not a problem for universities,’ Alexei Chumachenko said.
The rector drew the attention of young people to the prospects of a scientific career. ‘Science is in demand, especially in terms of import substitution. That is why higher education will take its rightful place.’
‘In the early 2000s, many universities faced a shortage of young researchers. Due to the Innovative Project, the National Research University project, the Priority 2030 program, various grants and mega-grants, now, 80% of researchers at Saratov State University are young people, and 50% of grant managers are young scientists developing unique research. It is important that the world-class studies conducted at SSU is provided thanks to the federal programmes,’ Alexei Chumachenko noted.
According to him, young people are attracted by the opportunity to do research at the highest level, fulfil orders from the state and business partners, and see the introduction of the results of their work to the market.
In the second part of the discussion, the participants answered the questions from the journalists and the students. The representatives of the universities discussed the digitalisation of education, the disadvantages of distance learning, withdrawal from the Bologna system of higher education, and the issue of decreasing popularity of natural sciences, especially physics.
Alexei Chumachenko pointed out that physics as an educational field and research in physics had always been extremely important for Saratov State University. Despite the decrease in the number of applicants taking physics courses, this science is actively developing at the university. Most of the grants and mega-grants under the Priority 2030 programme are research in physics. The colleagues agreed that the quality of students' training in physics would have to be improved.
Natalia Tyurina summed up the discussion results and addressed the applicants. ‘The higher your educational qualification is, the higher your demand in the labour market is, too. In terms of a multifunctional, interdisciplinary, and highly technological labour market, education is becoming very important. The higher education system in Russia is one of the best in the world, and the country universities will do everything to ensure that you find maximum support here.’
The recording of the discussion is available here.
