Minister Falkov - 'The Turn to Distance Learning Has Already Happened'

12:42, April 10, 2020

The development of digital technologies in education was discussed by members of the Global Universities Association

For successful digitalization of education, Russian universities need to develop infrastructure and develop local services. The use of digital technologies was discussed on April 7 by universities participating in the Global Universities Association at an online meeting with the participation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education.

“The pandemic situation has given the higher education system a powerful incentive for evolution. The transition to distance learning has already taken place, but in order to maintain the quality of education, universities have to strengthen and develop the infrastructure. Technologies enable each university to form its own unique educational environment” emphasized Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education.

Association members note the need to take into account the potential of new educational technologies in the regulatory framework. Recall that the Ural Federal University was the first Russian university to accredit programs with various models for incorporating online courses of partner universities.

“In the context of rapid technology updates, it is necessary to improve the system of regulation of higher education: work is underway on a draft of new federal state educational standards for higher education - GEF 4.0. One of the tasks that the new standards should solve is expanding opportunities for using online courses of leading universities and technology companies in the educational process,” said the rector of UrFU Victor Koksharov.

The meeting participants also noted that the key innovation should be the transition from state accreditation of universities to public-state, conducted by federal educational and methodical associations authorized by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. A similar system exists throughout the world. Another innovation is the tiered accreditation mechanism, in which a university can only invest in two or three breakthrough areas and then achieve accreditation of a higher level in these areas. Such an approach will open the path to positive development for the vast majority of Russian universities.