An increase in the volume of industrial practice, obtaining a working profession already during training, new approaches to knowledge assessment and increased interaction with employees. Vladimir Sitnikov, Rector of Stavropol State Agrarian University, told TASS at a press conference in Moscow what changes await students within the framework of the new model of higher education and why personnel training is becoming one of the key factors in the development of the agro-industrial complex today.

In 2026, Stavropol State Agrarian University will begin training for the first time in 36 educational programs implemented as part of a pilot project of a new model of higher education. The changes will affect the training of future agronomists, agricultural engineers, veterinarians, livestock technicians, agricultural processing specialists, landscape architects and other specialists in demand by the industry.

According to Vladimir Sitnikov, Rector of SSAU, the introduction of the new model is associated with serious changes that are taking place in the agro-industrial complex today.

«Today, the industry faces challenges related to ensuring its competitiveness in both the short and long term. It is quite obvious that without the introduction of modern technologies, scientific developments and the training of specialists capable of working in new conditions, it is impossible to solve these problems. Digital technologies, robotic systems, and artificial intelligence tools are actively entering the industry today. The issues of breeding and genetics in crop production and animal husbandry are at the forefront. Therefore, educational programs must meet the challenges that determine the development of the agro—industrial complex right now,» said Vladimir Sitnikov.

One of the main principles of the new model will be closer integration of the educational process with the real sector of the economy. The university will increase the volume of industrial practice, and its schedule will be presented in such a way that students can participate in the full production cycle of agricultural enterprises.

In addition, students can get a job of their choice in their first years. During the tests and exams, special attention will be paid to solving situational problems and production cases. Another area of change will be the improvement of the training of scientific personnel. Postgraduate programs increase the volume of interaction with scientific supervisors, and graduate students themselves receive more opportunities to develop pedagogical competencies.

«One of the key objectives of the new model of higher education is to reduce the distance between the educational process and production. We will do this through increasing the volume of practical training, the participation of employees in the educational process, the development of professional skills of teachers and the implementation of the results of scientific and technological projects in the educational process,» emphasized the rector of SSAU.

The university pays special attention to the development of the teaching staff. Advanced training programs are provided for teachers of fundamental disciplines at leading universities and research organizations, and teachers of the professional cycle undergo internships at agricultural enterprises and participate in the implementation of scientific and technological projects.

The SSAU notes that the new model of higher education is aimed at closer integration of education, science and production. This approach allows us to take into account the demands of employees, the requirements of the technological development of the industry and modern scientific achievements already at the stage of training future specialists.