On February 1, there was held an expanded meeting of the Academic Council. SSU Rector Aleksei Chumachenko made a report on the main results of the Saratov University over the past year and outlined the plans for the nearest future.
"The past year – the Year of Science in Russia – has significantly influenced the life of the university, which passed the competitive selection for the basic part of the Priority 2030 grant," Alexey Nikolaevich began his speech. Among the most important victories, the rector mentioned the participation of the university in the Program for the creation and development of design centers for training personnel for the radio-electronic industry (among 32 universities in the country); the victory in the competitive selection conducted by Gazpromneft Scientific and Technical Center LLC and the conclusion of a contract for the performance of research work, work on the development of technical documentation, work on the creation of scientific and technical products, and other work for a period of ten years (among 10 universities in Russia).
Speaking about the specifics of working in a difficult epidemiological situation, the rector noted that the university adequately overcame the difficulties associated with distance and distance-face-to-face education, conducted a number of important events in a remote format, including scientific ones: "A lot of effort was spent on fighting coronavirus infection, and a high percentage of vaccinated allowed performing in the full curriculum in all areas of training and specialties, as well as commitments on scientific grants and other scientific topics."
An important indicator of the intensive scientific and educational life of SSU is the retention of high positions in prestigious international rankings. In particular, if we talk about the positions that the university occupies among Russian universities included in these ratings, SSU is on the 24th place in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, on the 18th – in QS World University Rankings, on the 28th - in UI Green Metrics World University Rankings, at 39-46 positions in MosIUR THE THREE UNIVERSITY MISSIONS.
Speaking about the educational activities of the university, the rector outlined the main quantitative indicators of the educational process: in 2021, 344 educational programs were implemented, of which 9 were specialty, 124 were master's degree, 135 were bachelor's degree, 60 were postgraduate, 16 were SPO programs. More than 20 thousand students studied at SSU. The most important event in the educational sphere was the start of work and the first successful admission of students to the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine and Medical Technologies.
Last year, another master's program "Quantum Technologies" was added to the existing network programs at the university, developed in cooperation with MSU and the Center for Quantum Technologies of MSU within the framework of the direction "Physics". "This is a unique experiment involving simultaneous training of students in a network program and a professional retraining program of Moscow State University. Upon graduation, students will be able to receive a diploma of higher education from SSU and a diploma of additional qualification from MSU," A.N. Chumachenko emphasized.
Among the important partner educational initiatives, the rector noted cooperation with West Kazakhstan University, continuation of work within the framework of network agreements with leading universities of the country, the entry of SSU into the Consortium of Innopolis University. "One of the most urgent tasks today is the gradual introduction of project–based learning as an important element of the educational process," the rector stressed.
Alexey Nikolaevich reminded the participants of the meeting that in 2021 SSU became a participant in the independent assessment of the quality of educational activities, as well as the testing of the model of independent assessment of the quality of training of students in educational institutions of higher education. The university showed high results.
The sphere of additional professional education received a powerful impetus for development last year. "This area of our activity has undergone noticeable positive changes in all areas implemented at the university: both in terms of professional development of its employees, and in additional professional education of students, and especially on the external circuit under contracts with legal entities and individuals," the rector said.
The figures speak about the success of this direction: for example, over the past year, 379 students have been trained in 9 professional retraining programs. 1920 graduates of bachelor's and master's degrees were trained according to the programs of advanced training recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. 757 people have successfully completed training in 22 programs within the framework of the Employment Promotion program at the Centre for Professional Development and Business Strategies, the Institute of Continuing Professional Education. 329 state and municipal employees of the Saratov region were trained in 11 advanced training programs.
Speaking about distance learning approaches, A.N. Chumachenko described the work of the Institute of Distance Learning, which in many ways allowed to maintain a high educational standard in the conditions of a pandemic. The need for distance learning did not prevent the Institute of Pre-university Education from achieving good results. The Institute prepared 750 students for the Unified State Exam, of which almost 88% entered universities. 166 foreign citizens were trained at the preparatory department of the Institute.
Alexey Nikolaevich paid special attention to the victory in the competition for the basic part of the grant "Priority 2030" – the largest program of state support and development of universities in the history of modern Russia. In 2021, SSU received funding in the amount of 100 million rubles for the implementation of its development program. The focus is on the implementation of five strategic projects: "Personalized Medicine technologies", "Infocommunication technologies and the element base of terahertz micro- and nanoelectronics", "Chemistry and New Materials", "Digital University" and "Teacher in the educational paradigm".
A large block of the rector's report was devoted to the scientific achievements of the university. In particular, the total amount of grant funding for scientific research in 2021 amounted to 515.1 million rubles, which is 5.6 million rubles higher than the amount of funding in 2020. Last year, two megagrants were carried out at SSU. It is important that all four laboratories created under the Government's Megagrant Program continue to function.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of publications in journals related to quartiles Q1 and Q2 according to Web of Science, as well as the citation of SSU articles. It is important to note that over the past three years (including 2021), 8.2% of the papers published by our researchers have been included in the 10% of the most cited articles in the world. For comparison, this indicator for the entire Russian Federation is 6.6%, and for the Russian Academy of Sciences – 4.9%. The research is carried out in a broad collaboration – 30.4% of articles in highly cited scientific journals are published jointly with representatives of other organizations, which also exceeds the national average.
A.N. Chumachenko noted the growth of indicators of the results of intellectual activity of the university, as well as the number of journals published in SSU, which are included in the international systems of information and analytical scientific citation.
The rector paid great attention to the issues of automation and digitalization of business processes of Saratov University - tasks that will affect the entire university and help to introduce modern tools into the work.
Speaking about the role of young scientists in the life of the university, A.N. Chumachenko cited as an example the Strategic session of young scientists of the Volga Federal District "Young Science: the trajectory of discoveries", which took place in March on the basis of our university. More than 480 young scientists took part in it, and young SSU scientists and invited experts acted as experts and leading sections.
The rector also paid attention to educational work. Alexey Nikolaevich spoke in detail about the participation of SSU students in international actions, federal and regional projects, forums. Our representatives are again among the winners of the Youth Prize "Success" and the Stolypin Prize. Two SSU students won the forums, receiving grants for the implementation of their projects.
A.N. Chumachenko briefly described the achievements of the Volunteer Centre and the Headquarters of Student Brigades. I reminded the participants of the Council of Councils about the creative and sporting victories of last year: in particular, the prizes at Studvesna, the victory of our football players at the VI World University Championship in Rome.
Turning to the social work of the university, the rector stressed that the prevention of coronavirus infection remained the focus of attention of the staff of the Office of Social Work. The Rector noted the successful work of the management staff with representatives of privileged categories. Traditionally, an important place is occupied by inclusive education and work in this area. Students with disabilities actively participate in events, including at the international level. The SSU Paralympians showed high results at the XVI Paralympic Summer Games in Tokyo in swimming, at the World Swimming Championships among athletes with hearing impairment.
Speaking about another social task of the university – the promotion of employment, A.N. Chumachenko spoke about the activities of the Regional Centre of Graduate Employment and Labour Market Adaptation: in particular, about the partnership with LLC "Faculty" and cooperation with the districts of the Saratov region in eliminating the shortage of pedagogical vacancies.
Continuing the topic of the acute shortage of teaching staff in the region, the rector recalled the complex of important projects and initiatives of SSU in this direction. The University held a traditional scientific and educational festival "VIII Week of Pedagogical Education" with the theme "Digital school - opportunities for everyone". The Pedagogical Olympiad for bachelors and masters of pedagogical areas of training and the pedagogical skill contest "Step into the profession" were successfully held. In October, the work of a Virtual pedagogical class for students of schools in Saratov and the Saratov region began. A lot of work is being done with the Boarding School 64.
A separate place in the report was occupied by the international activities of the university. "According to the world university rankings, Saratov University has significantly improved its position in the indicator "international prospects", and the share of foreign students of SSU has increased from 8% immediately to 11%," Alexey Nikolaevich emphasized. The rector highlighted the holding of the XVIII German-Russian Media Forum "Quality Journalism: Myth or Reality?" on the basis of SSU, the final event within the framework of the Year of Germany in Russia.
"In 2021, the information work of Saratov University has reached a new level. The Office of Media Communications was created on the basis of the Media Centre," A.N. Chumachenko noted. Focusing on the vectors of the work of the new division, the rector turned to the indicators of a new media rating for Russian universities, in which SSU rose from 133rd place in July to 44th place in December. Alexey Nikolaevich described the work of the official media resources of the university, recalled the "Regulations on the information Policy of SSU" adopted last year, the expansion of social network representations, the appearance of new sections of the site, the growth of publications in the federal media.
At the end of the speech, the rector thanked all the teachers and staff for their well-coordinated work and hard work. A.N. Chumachenko expressed special gratitude for the continued support and attention to the Chairman of the State Duma V.V. Volodin and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the SSU, the Governor of the Saratov region V.V. Radaev.
The Council of Councils continued with answers to questions and debates. Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the V.A. Kotelnikov Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of Mechanics and Physics Research Institute, SSU, Sergei Nikitov joined the Council of Online Communication Councils. In his video message, he stressed that he was impressed by the rector's report, and noted that the university is developing dynamically: scientific work is being carried out, infrastructure is being updated, new equipment is appearing, young scientific personnel are growing and forming.
Dean of the Faculty of Law, SSU, Galina Komkova drew attention to the fact that in higher education there is a transition from the transfer of knowledge to learning with the acquisition of experience. Galina Nikolaevna spoke about the interaction with employers and organizations that accept students for practice. In this regard, G.N. Komkova proposed to work out the possibility of concluding basic contracts with potential employers for 5-10 years and to sign an annex to it annually on students sent to practice. Interaction with employers gives a positive effect, graduates get jobs.
The head of the Office of Research Olga Moskalenko spoke about the achievements of young scientists in 2021 and noted that all conditions have been created at the university to engage in research and scientific search. Young scientists work in conjunction with experienced colleagues, participate in major scientific projects, are involved in the implementation of grants.
The head of the Department of Petrochemistry and Technogenic Safety Raisa Kuzmina spoke about partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation with enterprises and companies of chemical technology and petrochemical complex. Thus, one of the permanent partners of the Institute of Chemistry, SSU, is the international company Schlumberger, for which the university trains drilling mud engineers as part of an additional professional training program. A group of students is formed not only from chemists, but also from biologists, geologists, mathematicians, physicists, geographers. Schlumberger supplied the necessary chemical equipment for the training of specialists. This made it possible to create a laboratory where students practice. Tuition fees are fully borne by the future employer, who also provides students with field practice. Raisa Ivanovna stressed that such work with employers gives graduates of the Institute of Chemistry one hundred percent employment.
The director of Geology College Lidia Verina, spoke about the development of the educational unit. She noted that for 23 years the college has been a part of SSU. During this time, the support of the university was felt, many tasks were solved and continue to be solved jointly, the college is developing and remains in demand for applicants.
The director of the Boarding School 64 R.R. Ovsenev spoke about close cooperation with the university in his report. Lyceum students have the opportunity to participate in university life, attend lectures of professors, laboratories of SSU, meet with graduates and students of the university, are involved in scientific events. Teachers of SSU are scientific managers of lyceum students' projects. Roman Ruslanovich thanked the rector and the university for fruitful cooperation.
The Head of the Staff of student groups Sergey Kulik highlighted the work of the university in terms of youth policy and educational work. "Saratov University is a place for the realization of the most daring ideas of students, and the SSU design workshop helps them in this," Sergey believes. He listed the brightest achievements of university youth and implemented projects. The headquarters of the SSU student teams is the largest in the region and has more than 350 fighters.
Dean of the Faculty of Sociology Sergei Ivchenkov noted a noticeable improvement in working conditions at the faculty: repairs were carried out, equipment was updated. Sergey Grigorievich emphasized the possibility of humanities students to participate in the Priority 2030 program. The Faculty of Sociology has developed three areas within the framework of this development program.
All participants of the debate noted the most important achievement of the university in the reporting period – participation in the Priority 2030 program, the formation and implementation of which involved all departments, experienced scientists and young researchers. The work of the rector and the rectorate was unanimously recognized as satisfactory.
In his reply, Rector Aleksei Chumachenko thanked his colleagues, wished everyone health and success in the new semester.
