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Find out moreA session on the topic "Construction of educational cities: today and tomorrow" was held at the final of the Moscow International Education Fair. Session participants discussed current issues and prospects for the development of educational cities, their impact on the modern education system, and the possibilities of integrating new technologies into the educational process. The discussion also covered best practices for creating educational infrastructure and approaches to developing educational ecosystems that meet the demands of the time and the needs of students.
- Can an educational center make a small town a desirable place to live and economically revive it?
- Why have campuses become city-forming in the USA?
- What example of the beneficial impact of education on a region already exists in Russia?
- What financing model could work for the construction of such educational centers?
- How some developers are already taking into account the attractiveness of a good education.
Can education lead to the revival of small towns?
Over the past ten years, there has been a trend towards the creation of specialized science cities and technology parks, such as Skolkovo in Moscow and Innopolis in Kazan. These projects have demonstrated their effectiveness in the development of innovative technologies and startups. However, their isolation poses certain problems: such campuses do not have a significant impact on the development of the surrounding cities to which they formally belong, says Dmitry Krutov, co-founder and CEO of the educational platform Skillbox. It is important to rethink the approach to integrating such science cities into urban infrastructure for more harmonious regional development.
I do not intend to criticize, but I believe that projects like Skolkovo and Innopolis could be more effective if they were integrated into the urban environment. Innopolis is a wonderful project with excellent results, but if it were located in Kazan, it would significantly enrich the city and increase its potential. Integrating such initiatives into the existing infrastructure can contribute to the development of an innovation ecosystem and improve the quality of life in urban areas.
The emergence of new centers of attraction does not solve the problem of youth outflow to large cities, which leads to the decline of small towns and entire regions. According to the head of Skillbox, the solution to this problem may lie in the development of educational centers in small towns. The creation of such centers will not only ensure the formation of a special development environment but will also create new jobs, which in turn will become a powerful incentive for the revival of these territories. Education is a key factor in attracting young people and creating a sustainable economy in the regions, which will help stop their degradation and ensure social development.
Dmitry noted that currently, there is a critical situation with the centralization of resources and services, which often negatively impacts small towns. He believes that what is happening in these towns is a real tragedy. Based on global experience, Dmitry is confident that education and educational institutions can play a key role in solving this problem. Investments in education can help small towns develop, attract young people, and create new opportunities for local residents.
Nikita Obidin, Director of Development and Special Projects at GeekBrains, agreed with this point of view.
When communicating with regional governors and ministers, one of the key issues that constantly comes up is the outflow of population to central federal districts such as St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Nizhny Novgorod. This is a serious concern, as young people prefer to leave their regions to study. As a result, they begin to work for the economies of larger cities, which negatively impacts the development of their home regions.
The expert believes that this problem can be addressed by creating educational campuses in collaboration with various educational institutions, educational platforms, business corporations, and government agencies. Such collaboration will improve the quality of education and prepare specialists who meet the demands of the modern labor market. The creation of such campuses will be a step toward integrating theory and practice and will also contribute to the development of innovative approaches to education.
Nikita Obidin expressed confidence that educational cities can become key drivers of regional development. They are capable of effectively addressing the challenges posed by both corporations and government agencies. Moreover, such initiatives will have a significant impact on the industry, both in the context of the digital economy and in terms of changing the behavior of residents of specific regions. Educational cities can become hubs of innovation, promoting economic growth and improving quality of life.
Behavioral factors play a key role in assessing the quality of educational technologies. Natalia Tsarevskaya-Dyakina, Director of EdTech at the Skolkovo Foundation, explains that this factor influences the effectiveness of learning and user interaction with educational platforms. The more attention paid to analyzing student behavior, the more accurately educational programs and tools can be tailored to their needs. This improves learning outcomes and increases user satisfaction. It is important to consider that behavioral factors not only reflect student engagement but also contribute to the development of higher-quality educational content.
A person who strives for knowledge strives to change the world. Therefore, it is important that adults become actively engaged in learning. During the learning process, each person contributes to changes in the surrounding reality. If the concentration of learners increases in a certain location, the process of global transformation will significantly accelerate. I am a supporter of online education, but the offline format of learning has greater opportunities and potential for impact.
She cited examples of closed research centers in the USSR, as well as in more democratic countries, where not only startups but also large tech companies actively develop around university campuses thanks to scientific and technological developments. Such ecosystems foster innovation and attract talented specialists, creating conditions for scientific progress and economic growth.
The construction of modern campuses as innovation hubs has become a priority for the state. In August 2021, the government allocated eight sites for the creation of modern student campuses that meet international standards. These initiatives are aimed at improving educational infrastructure and creating a comfortable environment for students, which in turn contributes to the development of innovative technologies and improves the quality of education in the country.
The focus is on megacities with renowned federal universities, which traditionally attract students. However, Dmitry Krutov proposes a different concept: similar initiatives can also contribute to the development of small towns lacking large educational institutions. This could not only improve the level of education in such regions but also revitalize the local economy, create new jobs, and improve the quality of life. Investments in education in small towns can become a catalyst for their growth and attractiveness to young people.
Vyshny Volochok, located in the Tver region, is proposed as an example for this project. Situated between Moscow and St. Petersburg, this town has a population of approximately 45,000. Although Vyshny Volochok is not a transportation hub, its strategic location and developed infrastructure make it a suitable platform for new initiatives.
Krutov argues that locating a university campus in the city center, rather than on the outskirts, will help restore the urban environment and create more comfortable living conditions. Students moving around the city will be able to significantly change its atmosphere. Even a thousand students can radically change the appearance and dynamics of city life.
The co-founder of Skillbox is confident that this model has the potential to reboot the economy. Creating a successful case will allow it to be scaled up nationwide, which could lead to significant changes in the economic sphere.
The campus can be not only part of a single university, but also an interuniversity center with diverse educational programs, representing "ten faculties from ten universities" based on cooperation between universities and businesses. The creation of practice-oriented educational programs will allow students, even in their second year, to complete internships and begin their professional careers. This, in turn, is beneficial for businesses as employers. The main idea is to create an educational center integrated with the business environment, which will contribute to the development of social infrastructure. Recreation areas, cultural centers, schools and clubs for children, cafes and restaurants, and shops are needed to create additional jobs and improve the quality of life in the region.
According to Krutov, development is one of the key aspects of a successful project. He noted that without affordable student housing, the implementation of such projects will be difficult. Today's students aren't just 18-year-olds just starting out. They can also be 30- or 50-year-olds changing careers, often with families. For these students, housing is especially pressing. Providing housing through a grant or at a minimal rent, with the option to purchase, can be a significant incentive to relocate and study. These conditions can attract many people who want to improve their skills and change their lives for the better.
A viable idea or a beautiful utopia?
Natalia Tsarevskaya-Dyakina expressed doubts about the practical feasibility of this project, especially given the financial model. Her opinion emphasizes the importance of a thorough analysis of economic feasibility, which can significantly impact the success of the initiative. In today's market realities, it is necessary to consider not only potential profits but also the possible risks associated with project financing. This approach will help more reasonably assess the chances of success and attract the necessary investment.
The education system in our country faces serious problems. Schools and universities remain unprofitable and have failed to find paths to commercialization, despite more than twenty years of attempts. These attempts were not decisive enough and relied largely on state support. We speak of significant ambitions, but we are unable to create either a high-quality school or a modern university. As a result, education is turning into a business, as is happening in some private universities that are not generally discussed in society. Or we are witnessing attempts to create high-quality educational institutions that, unfortunately, are difficult to commercialize.
Natalya suggested paying attention to the successful experience of the United States, where cities are forming around university campuses. This is happening to ensure that graduates stay local and don't leave in search of better jobs. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop scientific and technical processes at universities, creating laboratories that can attract both commercial and government contracts for development. This task goes beyond traditional education and requires a comprehensive approach that includes interaction between science and business.
Anatoly Valetov, head of the Moscow Innovation Cluster Foundation, noted that the American university model was formed on the basis of loans. Education at mid-sized US universities costs between 30,000 and 50,000 dollars, and students take out loans that they then repay over many years. In this model, the state also plays a role, according to Valetov.
The city-forming educational center model relies heavily on active government involvement, a view shared by most discussion participants. Government support plays a key role in the creation and development of such centers, providing the necessary funding, infrastructure, and regulatory framework. Without government initiative, implementing an effective educational center model capable of influencing regional development becomes difficult.
Egor Evlannikov, co-founder and CEO of the Equium business club, emphasizes that educational cities can emerge as a result of private business initiative. The success of such projects will depend on the true motives of entrepreneurs: they must see this not only as a profit opportunity but also as a chance to leave a meaningful legacy for future generations. It is important that the initiators be people who care about the future and the world our children will live in.
Evlannikov cited the example of successful entrepreneur Yuri Uskov, founder of iSpring. Despite significant achievements on the international stage, the company's head office remains located in Uskov's hometown of Yoshkar-Ola. As his business expanded, Uskov began actively investing in local education. He initiated educational programs at several universities, founded a school, and then a kindergarten. According to the speaker, Yuri Uskov has formed a full-fledged educational ecosystem covering all levels – from preschool education to professional training of highly qualified specialists.
He is currently implementing a 15,000-square-meter university project in the city center. This entrepreneur operates independently, without outside support; he purchased the land himself and is handling all development work. In addition, he created a residential village for his employees and continues to develop infrastructure, including the construction of a city and a karting track. I am confident that such proactive people should be brought together so that they can exchange experience and knowledge.
Natalya Tsarevskaya-Dyakina noted that to successfully implement such projects, an entrepreneur must overcome resistance from the state system, which is rare. "I understand where to find programmers, but I don't know where to look for the Uskovs," she added.
Dmitry Krutov suggested that this initiative should be implemented as a public-private partnership. He noted the possibility of using endowment funds as a financing model. This approach has already proven itself in the US and Europe, and although its application in Russia faces certain challenges, it could become an effective tool for attracting investment and supporting public projects.
A public-private partnership initiative is needed, whereby support and funding for projects are provided independently. The state is unable to consistently and massively finance such initiatives. It is important to create a successful case that can be scaled to 20 or 30 cities within ten years.
