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Course with employment: "The Profession of Methodologist from Scratch to PRO"
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Pavel Luksha is the founder of the international initiative Global Education Futures, which focuses on the future of education. He serves as an expert at the Education Transformation Center of the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO and is a member of the Expert Council of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives under the President of the Russian Federation. Luksha is also one of the authors of the "Atlas of New Professions", the report "Education for a Complex Society" and the study "Educational Ecosystems: Emerging Practice for the Future of Education". His work and ideas make him a leading visionary in the field of education and its development, highlighting the importance of transforming educational systems in the modern world.
In our interview, we discussed key topics such as current industry trends, the impact of technology on business processes, and strategies for successful team management. We also touched on innovation and its role in company development, and exchanged views on the future of the market and the challenges businesses may face. This discussion provided a unique perspective on how to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and remain competitive.
- How does a true ecosystem differ from a holding company?
- Is the state capable of creating ecosystems?
- Why ecosystems are not a utopia, but a new way to make money?
- Why universities would do well to “gain some wickedness.”
Don't confuse the concept of a true ecosystem with a “soaped” term.
The concept of “ecosystem” has become relevant in modern business. Let's look at some examples to understand what it means. Companies such as Google, Apple, and Sber can be considered ecosystems because they combine various services and products, creating a single space for users. These ecosystems offer not only basic functions, but also additional features aimed at improving customer interactions and increasing their loyalty. Ecosystems help companies expand their markets and increase competitiveness by integrating various services in a single location.
The term "ecosystem" has recently become quite popular and is often used in various contexts. An ecosystem is a network of independent participants who come together to collaborate on innovation. Creating an ecosystem is not forced, as its participants can only become part of this structure if they demonstrate mutual interest. A key feature of an ecosystem is a horizontal governance model, allowing each participant to contribute and actively participate in the development process. This creates conditions for more effective interaction and the implementation of joint projects. Ecosystems play an important role in modern business strategies, facilitating growth and the implementation of new ideas.
When Sberbank claims to be creating an ecosystem, it is actually talking about forming a diversified holding company. Unlike the ecosystems of Google or Apple, which include not only their own products but also solutions from third-party partners, Sberbank's ecosystem is focused on internal resources and assets. Companies working with Google and Apple have the ability to operate independently, without being dependent on the equity capital of these giants. They voluntarily join the platforms, creating mutually beneficial relationships and joint participation in the development of the ecosystem. Thus, Sberbank's approach to ecosystem creation differs from that of other major players, defining the uniqueness of its business strategy.
Ecosystems play a key role in the innovation process, enabling interaction between various participants, such as companies, startups, research institutions, and government organizations. These interconnections facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and ideas, which, in turn, accelerates the development of new technologies and solutions. Ecosystems create a favorable environment for experimentation and innovation, enabling adaptation to market changes and consumer demands. It is important to understand that it is through such ecosystems that technologies are integrated and sustainable competitive advantages are formed, making them indispensable in modern business.
We find ourselves in an era of increased complexity, where the importance of distributed governance is becoming obvious. In an environment where multiple decision-making points, information generation, ideas, and opinions interact with each other, effective distributed governance is becoming a key factor in success. This approach not only optimizes processes but also increases the value of decisions made in complex and dynamic conditions.
The diversity and independence of participants lead to more effective solutions compared to those that can be developed by a single person. In a complex world, this model proves optimal and strategically beneficial. This is why evolution has favored ecosystems as the primary way to organize life. The effective collaboration of various participants in ecosystems allows for adaptation to changing conditions and the best solutions for survival and development.
In nature, the level of uncertainty is extremely high. Disasters such as volcanic eruptions or earthquakes can occur at any moment, and life must adapt to these changes. This is why nature has no bosses. It is a complex system consisting of many independent participants, each playing a role in maintaining ecological balance. The existence of this equilibrium allows nature to recover and develop despite unexpected changes and threats.
In a complex economic environment, businesses and other organizational forms are increasingly moving toward distributed management systems. These systems provide strategic advantages, allowing for more effective adaptation to change and increased competitiveness. Distributed management promotes flexibility, improves communication within the team, and accelerates the decision-making process, which ultimately leads to more sustainable results for organizations.
The state can also create ecosystems. But only under certain conditions.
Your study of educational ecosystems presents a limited number of Russian examples. What is the reason for this?
We analyzed international trends and also focused on domestic Russian practices. There are many examples of the ecosystem approach in Russia, especially in the field of non-formal education. In my report, I tried to provide examples that might be of interest to my international colleagues and used this opportunity to promote Russian innovative education on the international stage.
Few people know about our interesting and significant projects, even within the country. One of them is my work on the supervisory board of the Ecoclass platform. It is one of the largest online platforms for teaching ecology in the world, used by 50,000 teachers. This indicator confirms its importance and relevance, but information about it remains in the shadows. We strive to raise awareness of such initiatives that promote environmental education and the development of sustainable thinking.
One of the key characteristics of an ecosystem is decentralized governance and the absence of hierarchy. Based on this, projects initiated by the state cannot be considered a full-fledged ecosystem. Decentralization implies the participation of various participants, their interaction and autonomy, which complicates the implementation of projects with centralized management. At the same time, for the formation of an effective ecosystem, it is necessary that all stakeholders can contribute and make decisions on an equal footing. Therefore, government initiatives can serve only as a launching pad, but cannot become the basis for the creation of a true ecosystem.
Every rule has exceptions. In certain cases, government teams can become catalysts for the development of ecosystems, especially in countries with Asian cultures. This is due to the fact that in such societies, government structures often play a key role in the formation and support of innovative initiatives. This support can take the form of funding, infrastructure development, or legislative changes, ultimately facilitating active business development and improving the economic situation.
In Singapore, all systemic development projects are focused on the future and the development of necessary skills. These initiatives are initiated by the government, and state development agencies employ specialists who, in European countries, would work for non-profit organizations or large corporations. Thus, Singapore is actively developing a strategy to prepare its population for the challenges of the future, drawing on the experience and knowledge of professionals from various fields.
Examples of professional education ecosystems can be found in various countries. In France, Lyon stands out as a place for continuous human development. In the UK, the Cities of Learning project, initiated by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturers, and Merchants (RSA), is of interest. These ecosystems can be both private and public, highlighting their diversity and flexibility in approaches to training and development.
Your report mentions a regional educational project in Yakutia, which plans to build a "Park of Future Generations" within the next two years. This is an excellent example of how a government initiative can be transformed into a fully-fledged educational ecosystem. The creation of such a park will not only provide access to modern educational technologies but also become a venue for the exchange of knowledge and experience, promoting innovative thinking among young people. Such projects can significantly improve the quality of education and create a favorable environment for the comprehensive development of future specialists.
The Yakutia example stands out due to the creation of a strong team led by Aisen Nikolaev. This team consists of entrepreneurial-minded individuals in leadership positions. They are currently initiating the "Park of Future Generations" project, the first of its kind in the country. This project brought together 20 teams from across Yakutia to develop educational programs focused on the creative economy. This experience could serve as a model for other regions seeking to develop innovative approaches in education and entrepreneurship. This project is more than just a startup accelerator; it fosters a community of people united by a shared vision of the future. Participants, representing various parts of the region, strive to find solutions for creating sustainable development trajectories for students through their educational programs. This initiative aims to create an ecosystem approach, involving collaboration between several teams from colleges, schools, and additional education institutions. This approach promotes the integration of knowledge and resources, which in turn helps develop and strengthen the region's educational environment.
Around which universities can ecosystems grow, and around which they cannot
Ecosystems based on universities can indeed emerge. There are numerous examples of successful cooperation between universities and various representatives of the education and business sectors. Such collaborations contribute to the creation of innovative platforms where students, faculty, and entrepreneurs can exchange knowledge and experience. This interaction not only enriches the educational process but also promotes the development of start-ups and new technologies, which, in turn, strengthens the competitiveness of universities and their graduates in the labor market. The establishment of such ecosystems can be a key factor in the formation of a progressive educational environment focused on the practical application of knowledge and skills.
If a university decides to create an ecosystem, this indicates its readiness to establish partnerships and integrate various systems. It's important to move beyond a centralized approach and instead foster collaborative spaces where diverse participants interact. This allows for maximum benefit from collaboration and the exploration of new opportunities that arise through cooperation.
In our country, there are fewer than ten universities focused on ecosystem-based thinking and behavior. However, their number is gradually increasing every year. An ecosystem approach to education is becoming increasingly important, as it fosters sustainable thinking and responsibility in students. With growing interest in environmental and sustainable development issues, we can expect the emergence of new educational institutions that will implement such principles in their practices.
Competencies in entrepreneurship and innovation are often developed not only within universities but also in their immediate vicinity. Novosibirsk, for example, is home to the AkademPark, a development centered around Novosibirsk State University (NSU). This entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem, located in close proximity to the university, is becoming a source of new talent and alternative career paths. Collaboration between academic institutions and businesses creates unique opportunities for students and young professionals, which in turn strengthens the links between science and practice. Educational ecosystems are formed in environments where new protocols and principles of interaction are implemented. In such environments, people develop alternative approaches to work and life. Key characteristics of these ecosystems are distributed systems, flexibility, and cooperation. These factors contribute to the creation of innovative educational models that meet modern requirements and promote the development of individual skills and knowledge.
Creating ecosystems around military units is a complex task. In contrast, in peer-to-peer communities, such as the IT industry, ecosystem formation becomes a natural and organic process. Ecosystems do not arise by chance; they are the result of interactions between participants and the exchange of knowledge. This phenomenon can be attributed to the ecosystem shift, which marks a transition to ecosystem-based governance in both the social and economic spheres. It is important to understand that such changes facilitate more effective interaction and co-development between participants, which in turn leads to innovation and sustainable growth.
Many universities are unprepared to create ecosystems because they prefer to control the educational process and impose their own approaches to teaching. This results in them not embracing new ideas and solutions that can improve the educational experience for students. Instead of adapting to a rapidly changing world and addressing student needs, universities often adhere to outdated methods. This limits their ability to effectively respond to modern challenges and introduce innovations in education.
To successfully operate within an ecosystem logic, two key conditions must be considered. First, it is essential to recognize one's own value in this process, which serves as the foundation for launching the ecosystem. This value can manifest itself in the form of a unique location or specialized knowledge. Leading universities often possess such characteristics, allowing them to effectively integrate into the ecosystem and contribute to its development.
Most universities continue to operate by inertia, preserving outdated models formed in the past as industry-specific or regional institutions. They do not update their goals and do not recognize their relevance in the modern world. The existing structure does not allow them to offer anything new, and this creates a fear of switching to new platforms. The risk that people outside their control will be able to make decisions independently makes institutions afraid of the possible departure of students and faculty. This highlights the need to transform and rethink the role of universities in a rapidly changing educational landscape. Creating an ecosystem is a powerful tool, but it requires a willingness to change and the ability to harness the energy generated by human cooperation. The second most important requirement after value is competence. An ecosystem leader must be able to organize its development processes, create a space for interaction, lay out the architecture, and offer the necessary resources. It is important to actively engage new participants and offer them meaningful ideas. Furthermore, the leader must be an active participant in the processes themselves. Facilitating ecosystem development requires a wide range of skills that not every leader possesses. Effective ecosystem management contributes to its sustainable development and the realization of the potential of all participants. You noted that in the IT sector and similar communities, people are open to the implementation of new protocols. Perhaps this is because it is easier to form an ecosystem in new areas, since they have not yet acquired established standards. Thus, in such dynamic environments, there is greater flexibility for experimentation and innovation, which stimulates development and adaptation to changing conditions. The IT ecosystem demonstrates significant benefits of self-regulation. Unlike external regulation, effective interaction within the community is achieved through internal standards and rules. Global practice shows that successful professional communities, such as those in project management, develop without government intervention. Instead, they rely on international standards developed by the participants themselves. These standards include protocols and rules of interaction that define goals and the roles of facilitators and moderators. IT platforms provide similar opportunities, allowing communities to develop into full-fledged ecosystems, where a clear system of rules helps participants interact effectively and achieve common goals.
