First rectors' meeting of the new academic year: the key tasks of the university are identified

The first extended meeting of the new academic year with the participation of vice-rectors, directors of institutes, higher schools and heads of structural divisions was held at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.Since September 1, the university has been operating according to a new organizational model based on institutes, higher schools and the Academy of Education. L.S. Vygotsky. Three institutes have been formed within the structure of the university: the Socio-Humanitarian Institute, the Polytechnic Institute and the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Technologies.The new structure includes eight higher schools and the International Business School. The Polytechnic Institute included the Higher School of Architecture, Design and Construction, the Higher School of Natural Resources, Mechatronics and Transport and the Higher School of Digital Technologies. The Socio-Humanitarian Institute includes the Higher School of Communications and Media, the Higher School of Diplomacy and Law and the International Business School. At the Academy of Education named after. L.S. Vygotsky, the Higher School of Russian Language and Bilingual Education, the Higher School of Psychology and Pedagogy and the Higher School of Adult Education were created. The Institute of Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Technologies has preserved the departmental model of organizing specialized study programs.Now the distribution of the teaching load is being completed, the schedule is being clarified and interaction between institutes, higher schools and administrative departments is being built.«We have passed a fairly serious stage of reorganization and restructuring. Meetings are currently being held with the heads of higher schools, teaching staff, workload calculations are being carried out, and the schedule is being revised. To date, most of this work has already been carried out», said Sergei Volkov, rector of KRSU.One of the key topics of the meeting was the readiness of training sites for the start of classes on September 15. Large-scale renovation work continues in several buildings, including the sites of the former faculties of architecture, design and construction, international relations and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology. The update provides for the repair of roofs and utility networks with subsequent interior decoration of the premises.According to the rector, at some sites the entire planned scope of work will not be completed by the start of classes. For some students, in such cases, a temporary distance format will be provided or training will be organized in free classrooms of other buildings.«First year goes to study. For other courses where renovations are not completed on time, we are considering a temporary online format or classes at other sites. There are large audiences, so we are organizing the educational process», Volkov noted.During the summer, new boards and desks were updated and installed in classrooms. Interactive whiteboards and televisions are also being purchased.At the same time, there are no plans to reduce educational programs due to a later start of the educational process. Saturdays, morning hours, distance learning and streaming classrooms will be used to complete the curricula if necessary.Preparations for the school year are taking place against the backdrop of an increase in the number of students. According to the preliminary results of the admissions campaign, KRSU approached its goal of recruiting about 3.8 thousand people. About 3 thousand of them entered commercial training.The total number of students was 11,025 people, excluding residency, graduate school, PhD and additional professional education programs. The final indicators are being clarified in connection with the synchronization of information systems.«We will present more precise figures with detailed analysis at the next meeting. Then we will be able to show the data in accordance with the new structure - for institutes and higher schools», - said Vice-Rector for Educational Activities Elena Averkova.High demand during the admissions campaign was recorded at a number of educational study programs. In economics, the competition was 55 people per place, in law - 52, in the direction «General Medicine» - 41. Applicants also showed significant interest in medical specialties, architecture, construction and international relations.KRSU intends to further analyze the geography of applicants, including by regions of Kyrgyzstan and other countries. This information is planned to be taken into account in further career guidance and information work.At the same time, individual programs have not provided the planned recruitment and will be revised taking into account the demand and content of training.«When we declare the direction of training, we must clearly assume that there is a result of recruitment and bear responsibility for it. This applies not only to the head of the educational program, but also to the directors of higher schools and institutes», Volkov emphasized.In particular, we are talking about religious studies and instrument making. For the engineering unit, the development of programs related to robotics and mechatronics is discussed. When forming admission targets, it is planned to take into account the actual demand of applicants to a greater extent.Due to the increase in the contingent, KRSU is considering expanding the training space for the medical field. University representatives have already inspected the additional building. It remains to be determined which departments and educational programs can be located there.At the same time, the university’s access control system is being strengthened. From September 15, entry into buildings will be carried out mainly using electronic cards. During the transition phase, students who have not yet received a pass will be able to present student IDs.«From September 15, a clear access control regime will be in effect on the university premises. This is primarily a security issue. Therefore, employees need to receive electronic cards in advance at the MFC of the main building, in room 1/1», the rector said.At the time of the meeting, electronic cards for 60% of employees were ready for issuance. By the end of today the figure will be increased to 80%.In the future, electronic cards are expected to be integrated with internal information systems KRSU to record working hours and class attendance.«This is not a punitive measure, this is security. At the same time, it is important for us to understand how students attend classes. We want children to come to classes, get an education, and be expelled less», Volkov noted.The new requirements will also affect transport. The removal of material assets from the territory of KRSU will be carried out with the appropriate permit, and departing vehicles will be subject to inspection.At the same time, internal processes are being digitized. Priority tasks include the introduction of a quality management system, the development of internal analytical resources, the launch of personal accounts for teachers and students, as well as the creation of an electronic schedule.The official website of KRSU is also being updated. According to the data presented, its structure is approximately 90% formed, and the content is about 50%. The heads of institutes are instructed to update information about higher schools, educational programs and employees. First of all, it is necessary to post information that is mandatory for the official resource of the educational organization.Special attention is paid to the adaptation of freshmen. A general university event is planned for September 14, where new students will be presented with institutes, higher schools, educational programs, curators, student associations and opportunities for extracurricular activities.«It is important to tell the children about the direction they have entered. They don't always fully understand this, especially in the engineering unit. It is necessary for the student to know his group, curator and understand how the training will be organized», Volkov said.Higher schools are also encouraged to more actively develop partnerships with employers and organizations where students can undergo internships and subsequently find employment.As a result of the meeting, the departments were instructed to complete the preparation of training sites and schedules, continue issuing electronic passes, update the official website and ensure the readiness of digital services. The next meetings in an expanded format will be devoted to the results of work in the main areas and issues requiring joint management decisions.94 people took part in the meeting, some of them joined the work in an online format.