Results of Project 5-100 were discussed at panel discussion within the framework of the exhibition “VUZPROMEXPO-2020”. The goal of Project 5-100 is to maximize the competitive position of a group of leading Russian universities in the global research and education market.
Vice-governor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Knyaginin, who was the moderator, began the discussion with the question: “Is the Project being closed completely or is it moving into a new quality?”
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Andrey Omelchuk was the first to answer, “The project is still ongoing. And with today’s discussion, we open the discussion of the results that 5-100 gave. Much of what the Project has achieved is based on a new concept of the Program of Strategic Academic Leadership with a large number of participants. 5-100 as the project ends, but immediately after it closure, a new one is being opened. Which, in our opinion, is no worse, and in many respects, even better than the one we have implemented now”.
Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS, noted that each university has its own development strategy, which is based on priority areas and unique competencies, but thanks to Project 5-100, it was possible to transform profoundly all areas of its activities, create a competitive infrastructure that attracted scientists, teachers, and schoolchildren.
Eduard Galazhinsky, rector of Tomsk State University, said that the Project launched the essential processes related to two main points. On the one hand, 5-100, according to their ideology, touches all areas: science, education, economics, management, infrastructure, innovative development. On the other hand, it awakened the management’s thinking and understanding of his own identity. The main thing is that there has been a systemic shift in education; universities have begun to form their future meaningfully. In addition, any subsequent program is a resource for making your future.
Nikolay Kudryavtsev, Rector of MIPT, added that the program on improving the competitiveness made it possible for Russian universities to present themselves in international rankings, draw the attention of the world university community, and achieve great success. Now there is another task: for the domestic economy to enter the world top, for our education and science to be included there. Universities need, together with the results of ratings and publications, to obtain the results that can be quickly introduced into production and practice.
Rector of ITMO University Vladimir Vasilie, “The project has certainly accomplished all its tasks. From 2013 to 2020, dramatic changes took place in each of the higher education institutions participating in the program. 5-100 sets the stage for the next phase. Of course, there is sustainability. Teams are ready to participate in the Strategic Academic Leadership Program competition, ready for a change, adaptation”.
Isak Frumin, scientific director of the Institute of Education of the HSE, reminded that when the launch of the project was just being discussed, many in the scientific community drew attention to the fact that “the presence in the international ranking” is a simple indicator because universities have many different indicators. However, there was no better offer. He believes that 5-100 has not fully realized its potential. After all, similar foreign programs are planned for at least 10 years. This is a prerequisite for projection of staff. If the project had lasted another 3 years, it would have been possible to achieve greater sustainability in the transfer of experience. The participants also discussed the challenges they faced during the coronavirus epidemic and forced telecommuting.
Daniil Sandler, First Vice-Rector for Economics and Strategic Development of the Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, drew attention to the fact that, despite the pandemic, none of the universities reduced the share of foreign students. It was necessary to reduce slightly the scientific rates of foreign teachers, but the necessary funding to continue this activity was found. During the panel discussion, representatives of the universities of Project 5-100 outlined their main achievements and key indicators of the development strategy.
Andrey Omelchuk also made a presentation of the results of Project 5-100 in facts, summing up, “Today we have got more specialized universities that work according to priorities, without losing the competencies that were accumulated earlier. Of course, we have made a qualitative shift in terms of our presence in international rankings, publication activity, R&D funding.”
“We understand what results we got from 5-100. All the best that was in the next will remain with us in the next period. We will slightly expand the list of participants. Universities that should be in the area of attention and support of the state are not only a pool of clear leaders, but also those who, competing with them, will move forward”.