Quote of the Week: Universities Need to Abandon the "As Long as There's Demand, We Need to Respond to It" Approach

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The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation plays a key role in the development of the educational and scientific sphere of the country. He is responsible for the formation and implementation of state policy in the field of science and higher education, as well as for coordinating the work of educational institutions and scientific organizations. The main tasks of the minister include improving the quality of education, supporting scientific research and the introduction of innovative technologies in the educational process. An important aspect of the minister's work is interaction with international educational and scientific institutions, which facilitates Russia's integration into the global scientific community. Effective leadership and strategic planning in science and education contribute to the development of human capital and the country's competitiveness on the international stage.

At a meeting with the rectors of private universities, issues related to the quality of higher education were discussed. Participants focused on modern approaches to teaching, the implementation of innovative technologies, and increasing the competitiveness of educational institutions. Methods for evaluating educational programs and opportunities for improving them to achieve high standards were also discussed.

Today, the contradiction between applicants' desire to choose specialties in the social sciences and humanities and the country's need for specialists in engineering, technology, and the natural sciences is becoming increasingly apparent. This is an important topic for discussion, as it is necessary to reconsider the approach to education. We cannot remain within the paradigm of responding to demand as long as it exists. The Russian President outlined clear tasks that require our attention and solutions. The time has come to adapt educational programs to the demands of the labor market and develop areas that will contribute to the country's economic and technological growth.

The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation is a key figure in the country's education and science system. His primary responsibility is the development and implementation of state policy in higher education and scientific research. An important aspect of the minister's work is coordinating interactions between universities, research institutions, and government agencies. The minister is also responsible for modernizing educational programs, improving the quality of instruction, and integrating modern technologies into the educational process. Effective leadership in science and education contributes to the development of an innovative economy and the training of highly qualified specialists, which is essential for Russia's socioeconomic growth.

At a meeting with the rectors of private universities, issues related to the quality of higher education were discussed. Participants focused on modern approaches to improving educational standards and introducing innovative teaching methods. During the discussion, proposals for improving student training and strengthening ties between universities and employers were considered. The discussion also touched on the current issues and challenges facing private universities in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Today, the contradiction between applicants' desire to choose specialties in the social sciences and humanities and the country's growing need for specialists in engineering, technology, and the natural sciences is becoming increasingly apparent. This is an important topic for discussion, as the approach to education needs to change. We cannot remain within the paradigm according to which we should only respond to existing demand. The President of Russia has outlined clear tasks that require our attention and solutions. Efforts are needed to attract young people to technical specialties to ensure the sustainable development of the country's economy and social sphere.

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On September 1, 2025, a law limiting fee-based admission to higher education institutions will come into force in Russia. This initiative was discussed at a meeting of the Presidential Council on Education and Science in February, where Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov emphasized that currently, the majority of students studying on a fee-paying basis choose programs such as economics, management, and law. The new law aims to ensure that fee-paying admission to universities contributes to the achievement of state objectives, including the training of specialists necessary to ensure the country's technological sovereignty.

According to the new legislation, by December 1, 2025, the Government will develop a procedure and conditions that will determine the list of training areas and specialties with a limited number of places for fee-paying admission. In 2026, admission to higher education institutions will be carried out taking into account these new restrictions. This change will allow for a more efficient allocation of resources and ensure high-quality education in the face of growing demand for professional personnel.

At present, there are no drafts of the relevant documents, but it is already clear that the cuts will primarily affect economics, management, and legal programs. These programs annually attract increased attention from applicants and are in high demand. It is important to monitor the situation, as changes may impact the choices of future students and the educational market as a whole. State interests require a reconsideration of the approach to meeting demand, particularly in private education. This opinion was voiced by the Minister of Education and Science on July 18 at a meeting with the rectors of private universities, where the quality of higher education was discussed. It is important that educational institutions meet high standards and respond to the needs of society, not just commercial interests. Valery Falkov previously raised the important issue of many private universities being solely profit-oriented. They offer programs in programs that already have an oversupply of graduates and employ low-quality educational programs. At a recent meeting with the rectors of private universities, Falkov emphasized that such institutions should pursue the same goals as public universities—training specialists for breakthrough technological industries and promoting the country's spatial development. In this regard, private universities need to modernize their educational programs and abandon non-core programs that do not meet the current demands of the labor market.

Based on the speeches at this meeting, published on the Ministry of Education and Science website, it is clear that the modernization of private education will be carried out through the introduction of stricter quality control standards for education. This will improve the level of educational services and ensure compliance with modern requirements.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Dmitry Afanasyev announced information that some private universities have a low Unified State Exam (USE) passing score for applicants, which is only 36. In turn, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education Oleg Smolin noted that education quality requirements should be uniform for all universities, regardless of their organizational and legal form. This emphasizes the importance of creating a level playing field for all educational institutions, which in turn can contribute to improving the overall level of education in the country.

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The restriction on the ability to rely solely on the demand of applicants suggests that the market for paid higher education in Russia's enrollment may shrink. While traditionally popular fields such as economics and law represent only a small portion of the vast array of training programs and specialties, training in these fields accounts for a significant share of fee-based education. This highlights the need for educational institutions to adapt to changing market conditions in order to retain student interest and ensure educational quality.

The government is actively increasing the number of state-funded places in engineering, technical, and natural science programs. Leading state technical universities acknowledge that attracting students to fee-based engineering programs is becoming increasingly difficult, while fee-based IT programs are in high demand. As a result, the market for private educational institutions in this field is virtually nonexistent.

Demand for engineering and natural science programs may increase in the future, as the government is actively working to reorient applicants away from popular socioeconomic fields. However, the question arises: will there be a massive influx of high-achieving applicants into these programs in the coming years? This could ensure high demand for paid education in this field and also support the quality of education. It is important to consider that the successful implementation of this process requires a comprehensive approach, including improving educational infrastructure and training qualified teachers.

Admission to programs requiring in-depth knowledge of mathematics, physics, and other natural sciences is only possible with a strong school foundation. Successful graduates who pass the Unified State Exam in physics typically study this subject in depth for several years and choose it during the Basic State Exam (BSE), indicating that preparation begins well before 11th grade. It is important to note that such applicants are rare. Therefore, a significant increase in their number is not expected in the near future.

Private universities face a serious challenge in finding resources to open engineering and natural science programs. For a long time, they have focused on the social sciences and humanities, which hinders the transition to more technical specialties. To successfully implement new programs, it is necessary to develop a strategy for attracting investment, collaborating with industry, and improving the qualifications of faculty. This will not only help expand academic offerings but also improve the quality of education, meeting the demands of the modern labor market.

A shrinking market may lead to the closure of a number of private universities. This also creates a need for EdTech companies planning to develop in the higher education segment to reconsider their strategies, especially if they were focused on programs in economics and management. In a changing market, it is important to adapt to new realities and take into account trends to remain competitive and effectively meet student needs.

Joint programs between EdTech companies and universities are primarily focused on information technology. Reducing the fee for admission to these programs is not currently under discussion. It is important to note that, based on last year's results, higher education (HE) and secondary vocational education (SVE) were named key drivers in the online education market for adults. This highlights the importance of these segments in the modern educational landscape, which may draw attention to the need to develop programs adapted to labor market requirements.

In Russia, successful examples of private higher education outside of traditional fields such as economics, management, and law are primarily related to information technology. At a recent meeting with rectors of private universities, representatives from Central University and Innopolis University presented their experience in this area. These institutions demonstrate how innovative approaches to teaching and research in the IT sector can contribute to the development of high-quality education and meet the needs of the modern labor market.

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In 2024, both universities were among the top 10 Russian universities with the highest average Unified State Exam scores among applicants. However, they remain small, niche projects. In 2024, Central University enrolled fewer than 600 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students, while Innopolis enrolled fewer than 500. These figures highlight the high admissions standards and unique educational programs offered by these institutions.

At Russian New University, whose rector also participated in the meeting, 770 students were enrolled in fee-paying undergraduate programs in economics and management fields such as Economics, Management, Human Resources Management, Public and Municipal Administration, and Business Informatics.

It can be assumed that those interested in pursuing a fee-paying higher education in economics or law will not seek to reorient themselves toward engineering specialties under current regulations. In the coming years, this group will likely begin to transition to secondary vocational education (SVE) programs. This may be due to changing labor market needs and the need to acquire relevant skills offered by secondary vocational education. The issue of reducing fee-based programs at colleges is not currently being considered. However, criticism of the low popularity of blue-collar jobs is constantly being raised in discussions at the State Duma level. While law remains among the most in-demand specialties, it's worth noting that the secondary vocational education (SVE) system trains not only blue-collar workers but also qualified mid-level specialists. This underscores the importance of developing programs that can attract young people to study in in-demand and promising fields.