- Vadim Alexandrovich, Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Exploration University is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Let me congratulate the University and you personally, as rector, on such a significant date. Tell us, how does the university live today and what allows it to remain a leader in training the elite of the geological industry?
- Thank you for the congratulations! The University lives and develops thanks to a team of scientific and pedagogical staff and specialists who have preserved the traditions laid down during the foundation of the university. It is thanks to their efforts that scientific research in the field of geology, geophysics, and subsoil use is very important for the country. In turn, real, ongoing research projects together with our strategic industrial partners, primarily Rosgeologiya JSC, allow not only to form educational programs that are in demand by modern practice, but also to form competencies and professionally important qualities among students of geology. After all, geology is a special field where cooperation and mutual assistance in research expeditions is important. Perhaps that is why, when attention is always paid to each student and his professional advancement, there are many graduates who have reached the top in their professional activities. We are proud of them and are always happy to see them at our university.
- What are the key features of the university's development strategy?
- This is a very important issue for every university, since each of them must objectively assess its capabilities and prospects. The following can be noted as the key features of the university. We are the only university in the country with a geological profile, which was originally formed in this way and retains its focus on the field of geology of the country's mineral resource complex. In this regard, it should be noted that we are the main branch university, where both scientific research and personnel training of all levels and directions are considered in the geological context. Therefore, the university's development strategy is based on these features and allows us to formulate key directions – the transformation of MGRI-RGGRU into a university scientific and technological geological cluster; the organization of a network of scientific and educational space to create conditions for the innovative development of all areas related to the problems of subsurface use; the development of digital technologies in the field of research and training for the mineral resource complex countries; identification of talented youth and their involvement in the field of geology, etc. In other words, the innovative development of the university is organically linked to the development of the entire mineral resource complex of the country.
- In recent years, many universities have undergone significant changes related to the adjustment of both educational programs and teaching methods themselves. Are there any significant innovations or changes in the organization of the educational process at the university?
- Of course, we pay the closest attention to adjusting the content of educational programs in accordance with the requests of our employers. Almost every year, changes are made to work programs, disciplines, including those chosen by students, and methodological materials. We consider the use of media resources for educational purposes to be promising areas for improving educational technology. In particular, the leading scientists of the university began to post public lectures for students. This is the right position, we support it, and we believe that the learning process should not end outside the classroom. Regarding teaching methods, it should be noted that geology is a field where it is impossible to form practical skills using Internet technologies alone. Therefore, we are not only trying to maintain the volume of internships and internships, but also to increase them by opening new places both in Russia and abroad. At the same time, we are actively working in this regard, and the use of new tools and methods of geophysics and mathematical modeling is increasingly penetrating into practical technologies, which will determine the new competencies of graduates.
I would also like to add that we coordinate with enterprises the variable part of our programs. And our know-how is the creation of basic departments together with laboratories and scientific organizations. Our students come to acquire skills immediately either at enterprises or in organizations, work on the equipment provided by these organizations, and everyone is very satisfied. Technical universities are generally interested in this kind of cooperation.
- How do you assess the geological education system in our country as a whole? What needs to be improved and what needs to be abandoned?
- The system of geological education in Russia is developing. A number of universities in the country have faculties that train personnel in the field of geology. We have good contacts with many universities, and we are even ready to exchange students for internships. Now there are such opportunities and they are being realized. Regarding the improvement, I would like to mention the following. The development of any university that trains specialists in the field of the mineral resource complex is linked to the possibilities of its innovative development. On the one hand, university science provides innovative products and solutions for practitioners, and on the other, there must be a need for innovative development in the field of geology itself. In other words, a university can develop only in an innovative professional environment. If there is no need for highly qualified personnel, then their training is impossible. The system of geological education can be improved only in cooperation with innovative enterprises and scientific organizations that are developing advanced competencies today.
- What are the requirements of the geological industry for your graduates today?
- I will say unequivocally – high. If we talk about the nature of these requirements, I would like to note the following. Professionally significant personal qualities are important, since a geologist is a researcher by the nature of his activity and, consequently, by his thinking. Perseverance, willpower, and professionalism are extremely important to us. Today, we hear that professional competencies determine everything, as indicated by the Federal State Educational Standards and professional Standards. But they say this quite modestly and are hidden in universal competencies, for example, the ability to work in a team, be sociable, etc. Therefore, at the university we actively develop all forms of extracurricular and sports activities, form creative teams that allow each student to express themselves.
In addition, knowledge of computer modeling and 3D modeling is extremely necessary for a geologist, but this knowledge must be combined with extensive practice. If a person walked past the sample and did not pick it up, and the laboratory did not say that there are primary signs of rock here, a well must be drilled here, in no way will the machine do it. Expeditions and location skills provide great knowledge – a geologist should devote time to practical skills. As for the requirements for the level of qualifications of graduates, as I have already said, every educational program developed at the university is coordinated with employers, which reflects the high level of their requirements.
- What can you say about the employment of graduates? Is the employment of graduates related to cooperation between the university and business, for example, with JSC Rosgeologiya, possibly with private geological or mining organizations?
- The issues of graduate employment are crucial for our monitoring and monitoring of educational institutions of higher education. Currently, according to the Ministry of Education and Science, the employment rate of graduates reaches 92%. We can assume that this is a good indicator, but we are starting to study the issues of career advancement of our graduates, and we are thinking about the possibility of their postgraduate "professional development", if necessary. This is a major area of work based on cooperation with industrial partners, primarily Rosgeologiya JSC. Close cooperation with private and extractive organizations also allows us to study the demand for in-demand specialists, to orient students' educational trajectories to specific jobs. There is also a good salary level in the industry - from 67 to 75 thousand rubles for a specialist. Previously, we had a recruitment agency at the university that allowed graduates to contact the company directly. It would be good to resume this so that communication with enterprises is carried out without intermediaries. This will make it possible to employ all graduates up to 100%, especially since we have been sorting out good guys since the third year.
- Recently, the Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Exploration University hosted the opening of the Case-in Engineering Exploration Championship. Tell us, what is the idea of this championship and what are its practical benefits for students?
- It seems to me that this champion is a very good competitive environment. Our students in the field of Geological Exploration traditionally take the first place. In general, according to the results of the championship, the universities that take part in it confirm their profiles. So the result is there, the guys are trying, and it would be wrong to say that Moscow has a bad school compared to the regions.
- What would you recommend to applicants who will enroll in MGRI - RGGRU in 2018?
- When you enter a university, you must understand that you are going to get a degree. The specialty must be in demand, and you must understand where you will go to work later. The main thing is that the guys understand what they will be doing in the future. Is it important to them? Is it interesting? After all, sometimes destinies break down when a person of a humanitarian mindset, who will never be a technician, receives an engineering specialty at the behest of his parents, and then, leaving the university, says: "Here's my diploma, and I'm going to work, for example, as a journalist."
For those guys who are planning to come to our university, I would like to wish them to do it more boldly. The university has decent conditions for becoming a successful specialist, realizing their opportunities in the social, creative, and, of course, professional fields. In order to decide on the direction of training, you can talk with our teaching consultants, you can visit the unique museums at the university. We are ready to support anyone who intends to join the amazing world of scientists and geologists.