System of higher education in Russia

Part 1. Humanitarian issues

Warm-up

1. What is the role of education nowadays?

2. Are there any differences between

traditional educational system and real world?

3. What do you think about future of

education?

4. What kind of changes would you impact

on traditional educational system of Russia?

5. What do you think about using of computer technologies

in the educational process?

6. What are the main objectives of the educational reform?

1. System of higher education in Russia is old-fashioned; it’s necessary to make some changes.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of getting higher education in Russia and abroad.

System of higher education in Russia

Education in Russia is provided predominantly by the state and is regulated by the federal Ministry of Education. Regional authorities regulate education within their jurisdictions within the prevailing framework of federal laws. In 2004 state spending for education amounted to 3.6% of GDP, or 13% of consolidated state budget. Private institutions account for 1% of pre-school enrollment, 0.5% of elementary school enrollment and 17% of university-level students.

Historically, civilian tertiary education was divided between a minority of traditional wide curriculum universities and a larger number of narrow specialisation institutes. Specific-field institutes concentrated primarily in Moscow and Saint Petersburg; medical and teachers' institutes were scattered more evenly across the territory. Medical profession historically developed within universities, but was separated from them in 1918 and remains separate as of 2008. Law education exists within universities and as standalone law institutes; in 1990s many technical institutes and new private schools created their own departments of law; as of 2008, law departments trained around 750 thousands students. Selected narrow-field institutes thrived in remote regions due to their unique geographical placement (maritime and fishing colleges in seaport towns, mining and metallurgy institutes in ore-rich territories, etc.). In 1990s the institutes typically renamed themselves universities, while retaining their historical narrow specialization.

Unlike the United States or Bologna process model, there was no division into undergraduate (BSc/BA) and graduate (MSc/MA) levels; tertiary education always fitted into a single stage resulting in specialist diploma. It took five to six years to complete; specialist diplomas of selected high-ranking institutions were perceived equal to Western MSc/MA qualification. A specialist graduate needed no further academic qualification to pursue a real-world career, with the exception of some (but not all) branches of medical professions that required a post-graduate residency stage. Military college education lasted four years and was ranked as equivalent to specialist diploma.

In narrow specialization institutes the student's specialization within a chosen department was fixed upon admission, and moving between different streams within the same department was problematic. Study programs were (and still are) rigidly fixed for the whole term of study; the students have little choice in planning their academic progress. Mobility between institutions with compatible study programs was allowed infrequently, usually due to family relocation from town to town.

Today the Russian educational system, as it had been noted many times by major international experts, is one of the most developed and advanced educational systems in the world. In the context of a changing society the educational system proved to be capable, on the other hand, of adapting to rapid transformations of new realities (while presenting its well-known strong qualities) and on the other hand, to the phase of prolonged evolutionary reformation. Higher education is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, which is responsible for the accreditation and licensing of higher education establishments, and for developing and maintaining State Educational Standards. Only accredited higher education establishments have the right to issue state diplomas and degrees ensuring full vocational and academic rights, and are covered by international agreements on mutual recognition and validation of educational documents. Only accredited higher education establishments have the right to use the seal with the national emblem of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Federation discerns the following types of higher education establishments:

· University is a higher education institution with activities aimed at developing education, science and culture by performing fundamental scientific research and training at the levels of higher, post-higher and further education within a wide range of Natural Sciences, Humanities and other directions of science, technology and culture.

· Academy is a higher education institution aimed at developing education, science and culture by performing fundamental scientific research and training at all the levels of higher, post-higher and further education, mainly in one specific area of science, technology and culture.

· Institute is an independent higher education institution or a part (structural unit) of the University, and academy that applies vocational educational curricula in specific areas of science, technology, culture and is involved in scientific research.

1. Describe modern system of higher education in Russia.

2. What are the types of higher education establishments in Russia?

3. What organization is responsible for the accreditation of higher education establishments?

a) Find in the text the English equivalents for the following Russian words and phrases.

Преимущественно; региональные власти; валовой внутренний продукт; государственный бюджет; юридическое образование; размещаться; автономный; юридический факультет; разрастаться; отдаленные регионы; портовый город; территории, богатые рудой; узкая специализация; программа учебного курса

b)* Insert the missing prepositions if necessary

1) He tries to keep his professional life completely separate …….. his private life.

2) How do you feel you can develop your skills …………… the framework of the team?

3) Business interests are incompatible ……… public office.

4) Above all, they should not be imposed and regulated ……. a central power.

5) These processes come …………… the jurisdiction of

6) The money will be divided equally …….. the charities.

7) China's first nuclear test in October 1964 was closely followed ……. a second in May 1965.

9) Yet a link was sometimes provided ……. music, where the cathedral organist was involved with diocesan music festivals and other events.

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