University graduates should have the chance to study at universities through an accelerated program. Such a path would let them quickly acquire missing knowledge and start applying it in real work while employed at enterprises, said Olga Pilipenko, a member of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education. This approach is seen as a way to address the personnel shortage and is being discussed with NSN.
“The shortened program, informed by the practical experience gained at universities, can close the gap needed to meet workforce demands,” Pilipenko stated. “For instance, there is a shortage of engineering experts.”
According to the deputy, roughly 70% of students enter university after completing grade 9, and about 40% begin university later. He notes that a significant portion of these individuals could transition into full-time roles after completing studies under an abbreviated program.
Pilipenko added that many universities already employ similar mechanisms, including early examinations and shortened curricula. Yet, at present each institution makes its own choice, so there is a need to scale this experience across all universities and officially shorten the duration of university education for graduates.
There is also memory of such an innovation being discussed by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. The ministry indicates plans to include in the new federal-state educational standard provisions that would reduce the duration of study in higher education programs for graduates of secondary vocational education institutions in the next generation.
Previously in the State Duma, proposals were made to distribute university and college graduates to specialties after training to address the personnel shortage. [источник: Государственная Дума] [источник: Министерство образования и науки РФ] [источник: Министерство образования и науки РФ] [источник: Министерство просвещения РФ]