Together STEM: How non-state universities are changing the education system in Russia

Russians are increasingly interested in getting higher education at private universities - basic university programs cannot always cope with the new requirements of employers, experts interviewed by Izvestiya believe. Domestic companies need highly specialized personnel who do not require additional training at the place of work. The Bologna system, which is planned to be abandoned as early as 2026, focuses mainly on basic knowledge, and state institutions do not yet provide students with sufficient practice. The active development of private universities is well illustrated by the fact that Central University students will soon be studying in the very center of Moscow, in the Central Telegraph building. How the education system will change further - in the material of "Izvestia".

How private universities work in Russia

In Russia, universities created by leading companies and private universities are rapidly developing, "Izvestia" found out. The Bologna system of higher education creates imbalances in the labor market - graduates of bachelor's programs may lack the skills required by employers. Therefore, the influence of non-standard and highly specialized educational areas is increasingly growing in the country. Russia's largest companies are at the forefront of this process.

For example, in 2023, T-Bank, with the support of 50 of Russia's largest organizations, initiated the creation of the Central University, which focuses on the STEM approach to education. This methodology emphasizes interdisciplinary education, combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into a unified learning system. There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of knowledge. Major organizations such as the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, VK, Yandex, Avito and Sber participate in the creation of the university. Graduates of the university receive state diplomas of higher education in the specialties of "Mathematics and Computer Science", "Business Informatics" in three directions: "Development", "Artificial Intelligence", "Business and Analytics".

And already in 2025 it became known that the Central University will occupy one of the central buildings of the capital - it is planned to be located in the building of the Central Telegraph in Moscow on Tverskaya Street, on an area of 71 thousand square meters. m. The deal on acquisition of this object is currently estimated as the largest one on the real estate market this year. In the XVIII century there was a boarding house of the Moscow University - the best educational institution of those years, now here will open a building of one of the largest non-state universities in the country - right next door to the faculties of journalism and the Institute of Asian and African countries of Moscow State University, the oldest state university.

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The STEM model of education is relevant because the country's economy is focused on technological sovereignty, innovation and digitalization, said Ravil Asmyatullin, Associate Professor at the PFUR Institute of World Economy and Business. These strategic goals are enshrined in the Decree on the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 - to achieve them it is necessary to improve the competitiveness of the Russian economy.

Central University has entered the top 10 best universities in Russia in terms of the quality of enrollment of applicants in 2024, taking the 8th place. In the ranking compiled by the Higher School of Economics based on data from more than 800 institutions, it also came third in terms of paid enrollment. The top ten included MIPT, MSU, MGIMO, National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow and St. Petersburg), MEPhI, Innopolis University, ITMO and the Foreign Trade Academy. The institution continues to develop its scientific activities - for example, the university launched the Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analysis and Modeling in cooperation with the AIRI Institute. Teachers of the Central University in 2024 led the school team to victory at the first International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria.

- The quality of admission to fee-paying universities, including state universities, is increasing. Students and parents increasingly trust fee-paying education. This is due to the fact that non-state universities often cooperate with large companies, which finance the necessary areas, provide teachers-practitioners and help to adapt programs to market requirements, - says the rector of the Central University Evgeny Ivashkevich.

Today, there are several corporate training platforms operating in Russia, which were previously opened by other major companies. For example, since 2012 there has been SberUniversity, which focuses on training top managers and entrepreneurs based on the company's experience. In addition, the Yandex School of Data Analysis has been operating since 2007.

In total, from 2022 to 2024, the number of universities in the Russian Federation has increased by 38 - up to 749 higher education institutions, according to the data of the Ministry of Education and Science (Izvestia has it). At the same time, already operating institutions increased the number of their branches by 16 - up to 540 branches.

The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology applies a non-standard approach to education - students there are trained in mathematical, natural and technical sciences, engineering and technology programs, added Tatiana Blinova, an economist at the Presidential Academy's IPEI. Education there is carried out only in master's and postgraduate programs. Foreign professors, teachers and researchers are actively involved in the educational process.

Tatyana Blinova added that Innopolis University in Kazan is mainly focused on training IT specialists. However, most of the students studying there are bachelors.

How higher education in the Russian Federation will change

The Russian system of higher education is already adapting to the new requirements of the labor market, because from September 1, 2026 the authorities must significantly change it, reminded Ravil Asmyatullin from PFUR. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the reform of higher education institutions back in May 2023 - since then the new standards have been tested in a pilot project in six leading universities of the country.

The new approach implies abandoning the bachelor's degree - the first step in the Bologna system of higher education, which is designed to unify university standards on a global scale. Bachelor's education lasts four years - the new system wants to bring back the five-year specialization. Education will be more focused on specialized competencies rather than basic knowledge, said Tatyana Blinova of the Presidential Academy. Students who are already studying in such areas will be given the opportunity to finish their studies under the old system.

"Izvestia" sent a request to the Ministry of Education and Science about the change of the training system.

- The new format of education should bring the skills of graduates closer to the requirements of the labor market. It should provide an opportunity for more flexible and close cooperation between higher education and business," Ravil Asmyatullin emphasized.

The level of practical training of bachelors was often below the expectations of employers, said Tatiana Blinova. The reform is necessary to fill the labor market with more qualified personnel.

At the same time, the reform does not cancel the fact that Russia has already formed a trend for new approaches to education, said Olga Nazaykinskaya, Director of the Center for Education Transformation of the Moscow School of Management "Skolkovo". According to her, the STEM model will continue to gain influence as it is gaining special significance in the market. Technological breakthrough, introduction of new technologies, production of high-tech products and engineering development require a solid foundation in the form of STEM-education.

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In general, the higher education system will undergo a soft transformation by 2030, and universities will consolidate around large national universities, added economist Andrei Barkhota.

- In the coming years, cooperation between universities, research organizations and the labor market will intensify in the Russian Federation. Achieving the goals of technological leadership will require joint efforts of all participants of the educational process, - added Olga Nazaykinskaya.

In addition, universities from business will strive for compression and concentration of educational programs in order to achieve maximum efficiency in a minimum period of time, concluded Andrei Barkhota. The search for a balance between the basic and applied parts of education will continue - universities, Olga Nazaykinskaya added, will look for pedagogical formats that allow linking fundamental knowledge with specific practical skills that can be successfully applied in professional activities.