At a recent briefing on the campus of School 21, Dagestan’s leadership signaled a clear drive toward expanding digital education by highlighting the republic’s growing interest in training skilled IT professionals. The message from the regional authorities emphasized that the path to modernization is accelerating, and there is a strong pool of young people eager to build careers in information technology. Dagestan aims to adopt proven methodologies and forge joint programs with industry partners to cultivate a robust pipeline of technologists who can contribute to the national economy and beyond.
During the dialogue, Dagestan’s representatives sat alongside leaders from Sberbank to explore how modern training approaches can scale across regions. They reviewed the training model, spoke about the feasibility and impact of expanding the project, and considered how a sustained collaboration could produce well-prepared graduates able to meet the needs of today’s digitalized markets. The conversations focused on practical outcomes: producing capable IT professionals who can support government and private sector initiatives, drive innovation, and help these communities participate more fully in the global technology ecosystem.
Projections for the program underscored a reality familiar to many economies undergoing digital transformation: software, data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud-native development are becoming core capabilities across sectors. The participants discussed how School 21’s approach, which blends hands-on practice with theoretical grounding, creates an environment that nurtures problem-solving minds and collaborative spirits. In this setting, students are encouraged to experiment, iterate, and continuously upgrade their skills to stay in step with rapid technological change.
The collaboration emphasizes two overarching goals. First, to establish a sustainable model for training highly qualified IT specialists aligned with the demands of the regional economy and broader national priorities. Second, to foster an ecosystem where training institutions, financial partners, and industry players work in concert to deliver measurable outcomes, including improved employability, higher project success rates, and stronger tech-enabled public services. The modernization drive is framed as a competitive advantage for the region and for North America’s tech-oriented markets, which are keen to learn from and participate in successful programs abroad.
School 21, a free programming school supported by Sber, offers accessible education in digital technologies for adults looking to upskill or pivot into tech careers. The program spans multiple domains within information technology and emphasizes practical competencies that employers value, such as software development, data literacy, and the ability to adapt to evolving platforms. The model concentrates on removing barriers to entry and creating pathways for motivated individuals to gain meaningful credentials, hands-on experience, and real-world project exposure. Through this framework, the school aims to empower a diverse cohort of learners to contribute to innovative projects and regional development, while also presenting a model of scalable, community-centered tech education for other regions to consider. The broader goal is to cultivate an IT community that thrives on mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning, preparing participants to excel in fast-paced environments and to contribute to the digital economy in meaningful ways. This program aligns with global efforts to expand access to tech training while maintaining rigorous standards that prepare graduates for professional roles across industries. (citation attribution: regional education authorities and program sponsors).