Позитивные изменения. Том 3, № 3 (2023). Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 3 (2023)

The university actively develops collaborations with entities in the real economic sector, including Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, Tarasov Aviaavtomatika JSC, Mikhailovsky Mining and Processing Plant, Kurskrezinotekhnika JSC, Kurskkhimvolokno LLC, Electroagregat JSC, Pharmstandard-Leksredstva JSC, Geomash JSC, and others. Additionally, the university’s archaeologists play a pivotal role, conducting archaeological excavations of Old Slavic and Russian monuments spanning from the 4th to the 18th centuries AD. Staff of the Research Institute of Southeastern Russia Archaeology under Kursk State University consistently engage in archaeological endeavors, which precede land plot development and offer a range of services, including state historical and cultural evaluations. Furthermore, the region spearheads a project in biological safety, crafting methodologies for parasite monitoring and assessing levels of mutations among residents affected by the Chernobyl disaster. The university also collaborates actively with the local authorities, namely the Government of Kursk Region, Kursk City Administration, Kursk Regional Duma, Kursk City Assembly, the Rospotrebnadzor Department for Kursk Region, and others. KSU’s collaborative reach extends to Rosmolodezh, the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Correctional Pedagogy of the Russian Academy of Education, the Central Federal District Department of the Bank of Russia, the Andrei Pervozvanny Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Science of Kursk Region, and other entities. On top of that, university staff members actively participate in the Expert Council, advising the Governor of Kursk Region.

The integration of academia and business, continuous education, and community involvement find expression within the strategic development program for the Kursk State University.

TRANSFORMING KSU INTO A CENTER FOR REGIONAL INNOVATION

The system of continuous education at Kursk State University is oriented towards proactive professional training of individuals capable of executing projects for the socio-economic advancement of strategic sectors in both the regional and national economies. At present, the Faculty of Advanced Qualification and Professional Retraining offers training across more than 300 supplementary programs in professional education, ranging from premedical first aid to mastering cutting-edge techniques in promoting handmade products and neural network technologies in machine learning. Continuous education programs cater to various age groups. For instance, during the 2022–2023 academic year, high school students were presented with a diverse range of additional general education programs, aiming to facilitate decision-making on future profession and preparation for university enrollment. Simultaneously, the older generation could participate in programs tailored to the competencies sought after by this age group, as defined by the WorldSkills standard. To facilitate the dynamic exchange of knowledge and the commercialization of scientific breakthroughs, the university has established a project office. This office formulates the regulatory framework for project management, provides expert assessments of project proposals, and uses The Boiling Point, KSU’s discussion club, to develop plans and outcomes associated with the commercial application of university competencies and technologies in industrial or consumer-oriented products and processes.

There are two primary avenues for engaging student youth into the socio-economic activity of the region. The first revolves around student project initiatives. Annually, the university sees students participating in around 150 projects of diverse formats, with many of these projects being student-initiated. The second avenue is the involvement of university students in volunteering and community service. More than 20 volunteer associations act under the university’s auspices, ready to provide assistance to various demographics in the region. These associations include the KSU Volunteer Center, the people’s volunteer brigade, a legal clinic, the Financial Literacy Center, the Family and Maternity Protection Center, etc. Moreover, students actively volunteer at nationwide and international events such as the World and European Championships, the World University Games, and various forums. Faculty and staff of the university participate in the activities of non-profit organizations spanning regional and national levels. They also have representation within the Kursk Region’s Public Chamber.