In 2026, Tomsk State University will completely switch to a new system of higher education. From September 1, first-year students, as well as applicants for master and graduate courses of TSU, will begin to study in pilot areas. Recently, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation held a kick-off meeting on the implementation of a pilot project to change the levels of professional education.
Sergei Kabyshev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education; Yulia Linskaya, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Scientific and Educational Policy; Irina Terekhina Deputy Director of the Department of Education, Higher Education and Science of the Government of the Russian Federation; representatives of federal authorities and rectors of universities – participants in the pilot project joined the meeting.
In January 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to expand the number of universities participating in the pilot project from 6 to 17 universities. Now universities within the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Government of Moscow are also participating in the project.
Based on the first results of the pilot project, the participants developed the uniform approaches to higher education:
· formation of the fundamental core;
· flexible study periods depending on the complexity of the training field (from 4 to 6 years);
· participation of employers in the development and implementation of educational programs, involvement of practical teachers;
· revision of the scope and content of practices;
· clear qualifications in the diploma.
Among the key approaches to the implementation of the pilot project in 2026, the Minister Valery Falkov highlighted the full transition of the first 6 universities to admission under new educational programs. In turn, 11 universities that joined the project later shall ensure at least a quarter of the admission for new educational programs. Priority should be given to areas that satisfy the country’s technological leadership goals.
As Valery Falkov noted, one of the most important tasks of the pilot project is to eliminate duplication of existing educational programs, and to introduce new programs in accordance with the needs of the economy and the labor market.
It is planned to create eight task force groups that will design key elements of educational programs to further develop the uniform approaches to the content of the programs. The result of their work should be specific programs ready for scaling up within the framework of the new model of higher education, as well as suggestions on specialties.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of building a unified information policy regarding pilot implementation, which will increase public awareness of the goals, conditions, progress and results of the pilot project.
Besides, it is important to inform foreign partners that the introduction of the new model will not in any way affect the international recognition of education received in Russia.
– The transition to the new model should be smooth and clear. The success of the pilot project directly depends on each teacher and employee of the university. This will require specific meetings with the scientific and pedagogical teams of the new 11 universities, – the Minister concluded.
Information provided by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation