Russian government approved Education Ministry proposals to support universities

The Russian government has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to support the higher educational establishment, which play a key role in the socio-economic development of the regions in which they are located. The official website of the Cabinet reports that the government also supports measures providing for the personnel needs of the regions in the priority socio-economic development spheres setting the target of citizens’ admission to universities. The mechanisms for supporting universities were considered at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Thus, Education Minister Dmitry Livanov said that to date, the capacities of higher educational institutions often do not meet the needs of the economy, social sphere and the labour market. “Industrial enterprises, social organisations, services need young professionals with advanced knowledge and motivated to self-development and the achievement of professional success,” the minister said. He stressed that “there is an obvious structural mismatch here, when several regions need certain specialists, but universities that are located there train completely different type of specialists.” “As a result, in the real sector of the economy lacks qualified personnel, and targeted measures of support of regional universities are needed to eliminate this imbalance,” Livanov stated. According to him, in this connection the ministry has developed and submitted to the government more than 10 normative legal acts providing for the effective legal environment of cooperation in the education sphere, stimulating the link of universities with employers.