Michael abdurahmanovich, the pandemic has put universities in a difficult situation. It is obvious that the education system was not ready for such radical changes in the training format. What does this mean for universities?
Michael Eskindarov: In my opinion, all described by the quote, the authorship of which is due to reusability on the Internet, I was unable to identify: “In a critical situation you will not rise to the level of their expectations, and will fall to the level of their training”. Russian universities for many years have used the tools of online learning, but the experience is so all-embracing use of such technologies in most universities were not.
Now many universities use technologies of online learning in the most simplified version. The greatest emphasis is on the replacement of forms of communication, rather than full-fledged methodological rethinking of the educational process under the digital tools that in the current environment is the right solution, which can be, and does not justify all expectations of the “hot shots” digital transformation of education.
Financial University had the professional skills of teachers and the technical possibilities or University was worth the extra effort? What was the most difficult?
Michael Eskindarov: Our University has not only a sufficient material and technical base for conducting educational process in the circumstances, but long experience of open and distance learning. This, in turn, reduce the time to adapt to the situation and to ensure educational continuity. However, the majority of teachers had to change their long-established procedure, to change the method of teaching is time-consuming and, of course, extremely difficult task that most of our colleagues honorably discharged. We are also grateful to our students who were sympathetic to forced changes in the educational process and was not only actually able in three days to regroup and to continue training in the new format, but also provide volunteer assistance to the faculty of the University.
Teachers will leave not 1 July, as usual, but from August 1. How this month will help in the organization of exams, and protection of final qualifying works (WRC)?
Michael Eskindarov: This is not true. Indeed, a group of teachers of our University before deciding on the online form of state final certification came out with a proposal to postpone the vacation for one month in order to carry out face-to-face examinations. But due to the fact that the vast majority of universities stated that they are ready when��ive final examinations remotely, the release of the teachers will traditionally start in early July.
In our case, most of the teachers will go on leave from July 3 to the end of August to go to work and start really hope classes in person.
Financial University this year has kept the state examinations and protection WRC or decided to confine the thesis defense?
Michael Eskindarov: Our University, taking into account the circumstances related to the pandemic, the first of the Russian universities made the decision to abandon the two forms of the test and conduct one. For all graduates, in addition to lawyers, is the thesis defense. However, members of the state examination Commission can ask questions not only on the subject matter, but also in the direction of training in General. Order exams and step-by-step regulation was published on the website of the University and communicated to students and members of the Commission.
I know that many universities have taken a similar decision. I think this is true in the current environment.
Leading universities has opened free access to online courses for all students. Financial University among them? Are they popular?
Michael Eskindarov: Yes, we offered 34 online course of the University, and they entered the list of the recommended Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation and open for public use at no charge. The course attracted over 1000 students from 18 universities of Russia. We will continue to expand our presence in open source platforms.
Restrictions have put many families on the brink of survival. What financial assistance may be granted to students and their families (installment payment, payment of a hostel, increased scholarship, etc.)?
Michael Eskindarov: 50 students of the Financial University have received financial assistance. Current students-paying students, and students this year we allow payment by installments, if necessary, and upon application, up to monthly payments. Take charge of the dormitories, as was already done in March and April.
For those who have the situation is quite complicated – the loss of a breadwinner or total unemployment in the family, we will first consider the possibility of a transfer to the budget Department. Of vacancies each year due to the contributions of academic underachievement. We do not hold any vacant seats is simply this: will transfer children promptly. Another option of aid – conditional – part-time or distance learning by maintaining the same training programs. I have already told about it in interview to “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” in may and now again I want to confirm these words.
I am Glad that President Vladimir Putin instructed to revise the terms of education loans, reducing the percentage to three and increasing the repayment period to 15 years. Implementation of this program will greatly help those who are learning, and those who are going to study on a paid basis.
the Minister of science and higher education Valery Falkov reported that the cost of education in the 2020/2021 academic year will be maintained at 2019. How do you feel about this decision? Does this mean that the salaries of University staff will not be indexed?
Michael Eskindarov: Despite the serious financial problems that will arise for universities to support current and future students, we should go for it. For us the loss will amount to several tens of millions of rubles, and we will be forced, given the fact that the expected and other losses, reduce costs, except payroll costs. As for indexing, it will depend on financial aid from the government. At the meeting devoted to problems of education, it was stated that these funds have been allocated. This practice of supporting universities in many countries, and we are no exception.
at the University now work with guest “stars”? They are mostly of foreigners, curtailed any cooperation or it spilled over into the online mode?
Michael Eskindarov: With Russian and foreign “stars”, as you put it, we have a long and mutually beneficial relationship. In the present context, these relations, of course, have changed. The one who was directly involved in the educational process, that continues and work, but in a new environment. Unfortunately, the arrival of several wonderful people from abroad had to be postponed.
This also applies to speeches to students, business representatives and authorities, although at career Day, held on 28 March online, was attended by representatives of the government of Moscow and the Moscow region, the Ministry of economic development, industry and trade, Central Bank, Sberbank, VTB and many other organizations. This is very encouraging – we need in this difficult time to support our graduates and help them to find employment.
Many famous scientists, deputies and senators participated in the project “Wise online” records which can be found on the website of the University. In other words, the “stars” will always be with us.
How to take admission of children to the universities? What breaks waiting for students?
Michael Eskindarov: Summer admission campaign is held in remote mode, the documents received will be accepted only through the electronic system of admission of the University either through service services. Moved date, they are now tied to the dates of announcement of results of the exam, so applicants and their parents should not worry about ��they would not make it. For admission to the University applicants need to pass three of the exam, name of the disciplines depends on the future profession or specialty. As for indulgences, they are. For example, depending on the number of points the exam entering the paid training can receive up to 60 percent discount. Maintained targeted recruitment, incentives for certain categories of entrants (orphans, invalids, etc.).
How much damage the pandemic has caused and will cause in education, in your opinion? What support, in your opinion, need universities if you are looking for?
Michael Eskindarov: We are not ready to perceive the current situation as a set of problems, we initially perceived it as a complex decision task. In addition, it was crucial for us to find new opportunities for growth, and we found them. Our teachers are totally acquainted with the most platforms for webinars, massively use them, understand limitations and possibilities of the majority of distance learning technologies. We have gained invaluable experience in organization of University activities when working remotely, including during the interim and final certification. Expect, to understand what is happening after mode isolation, we can form a new strategy of technological development, come to an understanding without which such a stressful situation, we would have failed.
Many hold the view that our lives will never be the same that a large part of the educational process will be finished online, the epidemic only fueled this process. Do you agree with this?
Michael Eskindarov: Personal communication between the teacher and the student to replace the hard I would even say – impossible. The current situation definitely has changed the requirements for educational institutions in terms of the quality of digital services. In our University, in two months formed a “critical mass” of both teachers and students that will support and even demand the current transformations in the University. But emerging experience with the use of digital technology should not be narrow, and to expand the Toolbox of each teacher by providing it is already clear possibilities, and so talking about the decline of interest in the classical form of communication prematurely.
According to my observations and the survey, teachers, students and even staff, at least our University, really want to meet within the walls of the University. How strong is nostalgia for the days of “isolation, remote work and distance”, I don’t know.
isn’t it possible for online education to oust correspondence and distance education? Where is the line between them and full-time in the existing conditions?
Michael Eskindarov: Our University is one of the few leading universities that has preserved both distant and part-time (evening) education. Today it is difficult to state unequivocally that online education will soon replace these forms. Given that the current way of organizing the educational process is forced and formed into a very limited time frame decision, we can say that it is inferior to classic offline education. But as a mass transition of the educational process in online, in my opinion, can form a qualitatively different model of online learning that will be highly competitive.
the Main risk is that re-evaluation of expectations from the current transition to online. In my opinion, to treat the incident as confirmation of the correctness of the hypothesis of comprehensive high efficiency of online education is impossible. The situation which develops today, only shows what universities have the necessary digital competences for preservation of viability and is able to keep the learning process even in the current difficult conditions through the use of proven and previously implemented technologies. But in the long term such a displacement possible.
How to start the next school year? Will there be changes in requirements sessions with the organisational point of view (smaller groups, other Seating arrangements, etc.)?
Michael Eskindarov: of Course, everything will depend on the health situation not only in Moscow but also in each of 27 regions where there are branches of our University. Of course, we would like to we started the school year on 1 September in a disconnected form. If there are organizational constraints, we look for solutions, although it will be quite difficult. We’ll be ready for any scenario.
According to Valery Falkova, the following admission campaign, which will take place in 2021 or 2022, will significantly increase the number of budget places. How much? Will affect whether this process Financial University?
Michael Eskindarov:, the Minister showed himself as a brave man. He, despite the threat of infection, personally conducted meetings of the working group on the transition of universities to online training, acquainted with the experience of leading universities and, unfortunately, did not save itself, had a disease, but then immediately went to work and proceeded to his duties. So, the increase in the number of budget places additional 30 thousand will be this year. It is known that earlier it was decided that additional space in the first place, be directed to regional universities. But given the fact that we have 27 branches in the regions, we have requested additional places. I really hope that you will get. Our affiliates have their own large story��, have good material and technical base, high-quality teaching staff.
