Sberbank announced the opening of a new School 21 campus in Magas, conceived within the framework of the Digital Development Academy. The launch project was spearheaded by Ingushetia’s leader Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov with backing from the SAFMAR group, signaling a concerted effort to combine education with regional development. (Source: Sber press service)
The Magas campus spans three floors across a total area of 3500 square meters, designed to host a network of study clusters named after the core values cherished by the Ingush people. The layout prioritizes collaborative learning spaces, hands-on labs, and mentorship hubs, aiming to align technical education with local cultural heritage. (Source: Sber press service)
As a cornerstone of an educational cluster planned by the SAFMAR group in Ingushetia, the campus is envisioned to house not only the School 21 program but also business accelerators and other innovative initiatives that support regional growth within the Digital Development Academy campus ecosystem. This integrated approach is meant to link schooling with entrepreneurship and technology-driven projects, fostering a multifaceted pipeline for young talent. (Source: Sber press service)
German Gref, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sberbank, highlighted the significant potential of the Caucasus region, noting a large pool of young people who are currently oriented toward sports but who could broaden their horizons with education in advanced professions. (Source: Sber press service)
Gref emphasized that while sports remain important, there is a rich history of scientific accomplishment in the Ingush lands and the broader Caucasus. The bank aims to expand access to ultra-modern intellectual careers for the region’s youth, enabling students in Ingushetia to pursue positions in leading Russian companies and beyond. (Source: Sber press service)
The head of Sberbank also explained that School 21 offers 14 specialties that match current market demand, spanning from programming to engineering disciplines. The program is designed to equip students with practical skills that align with industry needs, providing a robust foundation for future employment. (Source: Sber press service)
The campus began with an initial recruitment cycle for 150 places in Magas, attracting a remarkable 3,000 applications—an unprecedented response for a regional program. Of those applications, 93 percent originated from Ingushetia itself, indicating strong local interest and support for the initiative. Gref noted that applicants from neighboring republics are also expected to join the program in due course. (Source: Sber press service)
Currently, more than 300 individuals are participating in the first intensive course at School 21 in Magas. Across Russia, School 21 operates eight campuses, collectively enrolling more than 4,900 students from 70 regions, underscoring the program’s expanding footprint and its potential to scale the model to other areas. (Source: Sber press service)