RUDN educational departments on the trends of a modern university and competences of modern graduates

After the presentations and discussions with colleagues from both Russian and foreign universities, it became clear that the main pain points are still common. Everywhere we heard an emphasis on the problem of insufficient or inadequate funding of scientific work.

In second place is the retention of talented young scientists in their university. So far, the decision of RUDN Medical Institute to create its own independent laboratory base and project office ‘Science’ to reduce the bureaucratic burden on scientists and project managers is the most workable option. What to do next? For the time being, the decision to create an independent centre for the transfer of medical technologies as a separate subdivision of the medical institute is suggested. Perhaps, this will create a new bridge between the requests of organisations from the real sector of economy and the strategy of scientific research organisation.

Konstantin Vytovtov and Elizaveta Barabanova, leading researchers at V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences, expressed scepticism about the possibilities of AI in solving non-standard tasks. Both experts supported the preservation of classical forms of education, emphasising their importance for the formation of fundamental knowledge and critical thinking.

The participants of the roundtable discussed what areas of education will be most in demand in the next 5, 10 and 25 years. Konstantin Samuilov, Director of Institute of Computer Science and Telecommunications, came forward with an initiative to develop the qualification of ‘mathematician-engineer’, emphasising that such specialists will have deep knowledge in applied fields and mathematical methods, which will make them indispensable in the conditions of technological progress.

The importance of regular holding of such round tables as a tool for active exchange of experience and generation of new ideas was noted by Mikhail Malykh, Head of the Department of Mathematical Modelling and Artificial Intelligence.

I would like to add that everyone supported the idea of returning prestige to the professions of teacher and lecturer, and emphasized the importance of educational and methodological associations.