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Course with employment: "The profession of a Methodologist from scratch to PRO"
Find out moreThe landscape of vocational education in Russia is undergoing significant changes under the influence of various factors, including global trends, the consequences of the pandemic, and internal reforms. Higher education institutions are losing their traditional monopoly in this field. In today's world, a diploma is becoming less important than practical skills for a successful career in certain industries. Short courses taught by experienced, practicing instructors allow for faster acquisition of essential competencies compared to traditional university education. These changes open up new opportunities for development and retraining, making professional education more accessible and adaptable to labor market demands.
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, key aspects of the role of university education in various fields, the changes taking place at universities to maintain their relevance, and the place of EdTech companies in the professional education market were discussed. An analysis of all sessions yielded the following conclusions. University education remains fundamental in fields such as science, medicine, and engineering. Universities are adapting to new requirements by introducing innovative teaching approaches and leveraging modern technologies. EdTech companies occupy a significant niche in professional education, offering alternative learning formats and access to high-quality educational resources. These changes indicate a transformation in the educational landscape, where traditional and modern education coexist, creating new opportunities for students.
Higher School of Economics isn't necessarily for everyone. But there are nuances.
At thematic discussions at the SPIEF, many speakers confidently asserted that higher education is not a mandatory step on the path to becoming a sought-after specialist. This assertion underscores the changing realities of the labor market, where practical skills and experience are often more important than a diploma. More and more employers are paying attention to competencies that can be acquired through alternative forms of education, such as courses, training, and internships. In a rapidly changing world of technology and market demands, flexibility and the ability to self-learn are becoming key factors for success. At the youth session of the "Learn a Century: Educational Trajectories of Young Professionals and the Skills of the Future" forum, Andrey Sebrant, Yandex's Director of Strategic Marketing, emphasized that the idea of an educational trajectory as a fixed development path is a harmful myth. He noted that in today's world, professional development must be flexible and adaptive, taking into account the changing needs of the labor market. It is important to understand that educational paths can be diverse and not always linear. Sebrant encouraged young professionals to actively explore various directions and opportunities to build their careers in line with their personal interests and current industry trends.
The future of professions begins with innovation and progress. Many professions that will be in demand in five years don't yet exist. Many new professions will emerge in the coming years, and traditional educational institutions can't always keep up with these changes. This opens up enormous opportunities for those willing to adapt and learn. It's important to stay on top of trends and develop skills that will be relevant in the future.
Sebrant noted that in many traditional professions, such as medicine and science, a fundamental university education remains essential. This opinion is shared by other experts, including executives from oil and gas companies and representatives from the banking sector, who emphasized the importance of a good university at various sessions. A quality education provides deep knowledge and develops the ability to learn, which is key to a successful career.
An alternative point of view was also actively discussed at the forum. Many participants noted that a university often serves only as a tool for obtaining a formal qualification. Skyeng Managing Partner Alexander Laryanovsky emphasized this, stating that Russian society has a caste system in which people without a higher education are perceived as less valuable. Without a degree, it's difficult to find employment in state-owned companies or in the civil service, and such people are often viewed with bias.
Discussion participants emphasized that the issue goes beyond formalities. Olga Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairperson of the Management Board at VTB Bank, noted the importance of a degree from a reputable university. Obtaining such a degree requires significant personal effort and in-depth knowledge. This topic was addressed during the discussion "The New Elite: How Accumulated Knowledge is Converted into Capital," where Dergunova also speaks as the head of the Graduate School of Management at St. Petersburg State University. She emphasized the strict selection criteria at GSOM, where students who do not meet the institution's high standards can be expelled. This approach is aimed at upholding the values and quality of education, allowing graduates to feel proud of their classmates and the level of knowledge they've acquired. From the moment you begin your studies, a networking process begins that will sustain you throughout your life. Plekhanov Academy graduates hold high-ranking positions, including three finance ministers, two prime ministers, two deputy prime ministers, and heads of the Accounts Chamber. As you grow and develop in your career, and begin working for the good of your country, communicating with colleagues becomes easier. You can easily connect with them by recalling shared experiences, such as participating in a construction team. This allows you to achieve results faster, as you already have established connections and trusting relationships. Networking during the educational process is an important factor for successful career growth and development. Networking plays a vital role not only for government officials but also for innovative entrepreneurs. For example, Dergunova notes that many of them turn to friends and close acquaintances, including fellow students, for initial investment in their projects. Such connections can be crucial for startups, as trust and support from acquaintances can significantly increase the chances of success.
The main way for universities to renew themselves is through partnerships with employers
Universities are recognizing the changes in the educational environment, and many are rethinking their approaches to teaching. Combining the traditional advantages of higher education, such as deep knowledge, the development of independent learning skills, and the establishment of useful contacts, with modern applied professional competencies is becoming possible through collaboration with business. SPIEF participants shared examples of such interactions.
Olga Dergunova, a top manager at VTB Bank and head of the Graduate School of Management at St. Petersburg State University, spoke at the session "The New Elite. How Accumulated Knowledge is Converted into Capital." She emphasized the importance of professional education and its effectiveness. In her opinion, one of the key indicators of education quality is the period during which an employer must retrain a graduate. If the need for retraining arises immediately after employment, this indicates an insufficient level of preparation at the university. Therefore, it is important for educational institutions to provide graduates with relevant knowledge and skills that meet the demands of the modern labor market.
To address this issue, it is necessary to introduce new, more effective formats for interaction between business and education. It is essential to abandon lectures where companies present themselves and formal internships, as students are already overloaded with activities that do not provide real benefit. Instead, educational products should be developed that focus on developing essential competencies, developed through collaboration between practitioners and faculty. This approach will allow students to acquire relevant knowledge and skills that meet labor market requirements.
A joint project between the Graduate School of Management (GSOM) and MegaFon has become a shining example of successful collaboration. As part of this project, students from various faculties of St. Petersburg State University developed innovative products based on 5G technology under the guidance of experienced company specialists. During this work, GSOM students applied their knowledge of project management, management, and teambuilding, preparing them for real-world business conditions. As Dergunova notes, such projects not only develop specific skills but also develop systemic knowledge that makes graduates more competitive in the labor market. Participation in such initiatives promotes the development of essential competencies and increases the chances of successful employment.
Learn more about the Graduate School of Management and MegaFon project in this article.
Alexander Kraynov, Director of Artificial Intelligence Technology Development at Yandex, discussed the company's collaboration programs with higher education institutions at the discussion "Business and University: What Kind of Education Does the Economy Require Today?" He noted that the symbiosis between business and higher education lies in an effective division of labor. Higher education institutions successfully impart fundamental knowledge, for example, in mathematics, which remains unchanged for decades. However, the practical knowledge needed in today's environment requires constant updating. In the field of artificial intelligence, the time from a scientific discovery to its implementation in the practices of leading companies can be as little as a few months, in some cases as little as three days. It is precisely to study such rapidly developing fields that practicing experts are needed. Kraynov emphasizes that the responsibility for developing high-quality personnel lies with all participants in the process: commercial companies, universities, and research institutions.
During the discussion, ITMO University Rector Vladimir Vasiliev noted that it is possible to master the basic skills necessary for working in the IT field in just a few months. However, the university plays a more significant role, providing not only fundamental knowledge but also developing critical and creative thinking. This allows students not only to master a profession but also to develop the ability to solve complex problems and take an innovative approach to their work.
The development of soft and professional skills at universities should be carried out in collaboration with employers. Universities, as employers in the scientific field, have a unique understanding of the knowledge and skills needed by future scientists and teachers. However, business requirements for specialists in different fields vary, and it is employers who can provide up-to-date information on the necessary competencies. Therefore, according to Vasiliev, universities should actively engage with employers in various formats. This could be achieved through joint summer schools, the creation of new departments, integration into online platforms, or the development of joint projects. It's important not to limit themselves to a single major partner, but to strive to create "chains of collaboration" that will allow students to acquire a variety of skills and knowledge that meet labor market demands.
This article presents examples of successful collaboration between universities and businesses. We will examine how such partnerships contribute to the development of educational programs and the implementation of innovations in various industries. Discover how interactions between universities and companies can lead to the creation of new technologies and the training of qualified specialists who meet market demands. Read on to understand the importance of this collaboration for both sectors.
Aleksey Borovkov, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, shared his ideas on how to effectively integrate science, business, and educational processes at the university during the session "Future Skills: Responding to Labor Market Challenges." He emphasized the importance of creating partnerships between academic institutions and industry to prepare students for the demands of the modern labor market. Borovkov noted that the interaction between science and business contributes not only to the development of innovative projects but also to the formation of relevant curricula that meet modern challenges. Collaboration with employers helps identify the key skills necessary for a successful career and adapt curricula to these requirements. Thus, universities can become centers for training future professionals prepared for the challenges of a dynamically changing market.
A master's degree program should consist of three key components: fundamental education, modern digital technologies, and current challenges. It is important to train engineers who are capable of solving complex problems beyond the reach of traditional industry. The remaining aspects of training will be practice-oriented learning using examples that have no longer been relevant.
In this format of cooperation, industrial enterprises place orders with the university to solve specific and complex problems, while providing funding. Faculty without industrial experience or familiar with the latest advances in science and technology are unable to effectively solve such problems. Highly qualified specialists fulfill orders from enterprises, allowing students to learn from the best professionals in their field. This collaboration fosters a practice-oriented educational process and the development of innovative solutions at the intersection of science and industry.
Examples of the discussions at SPIEF demonstrate that higher education institutions are actively updating their educational programs and formats in collaboration with major employers. This raises the question: what is the place of EdTech in this system?
In our country, widespread incompetence is observed, making it difficult to find qualified specialists such as doctors, plumbers, or tailors. Anyone who hires employees knows how difficult this is. We are faced with the problem that having a diploma does not always mean having a quality education. In our country, only a few universities provide truly high-quality education, and this can be easily determined by surveying HR specialists about which diplomas they consider significant. There are difficulties in generating social demand for change in the education system. There are currently no active customers interested in changing the situation.
