Andrey Fursenko: Let student councils decide the fate of scholarships

Andrei Fursenko, being a student of mathematics and mechanics at Leningrad State University, began receiving a state scholarship only from the 4th year, when he became an excellent student. At the same time, children who needed it could receive a scholarship from the 1st year, and the decision was made by the student council. The Minister of Science and Education spoke about this at a meeting with representatives of student councils of Russian universities, held on January 25, 2011.

Fursenko is confident that student councils need to be given more rights to distribute the university scholarship fund. “At the same time, universal transparent rules must be established that take into account the student’s social status and academic success,” he noted.

The minister emphasized that “there are some students who do not need scholarships, but there are those for whom this is important and sensitive, and it is within the power of student councils to more actively participate in the distribution of the scholarship fund.”

Several students expressed the idea of ​​returning the system of distribution of university graduates that existed in Soviet times, recognizing that in a number of regions distribution mechanisms are actually used for some graduates, A. Fursenko spoke out against this idea in general. He, in particular, noted that not everywhere there is a need for those specialists who are trained by universities, and that it is wrong to force a person to work against his will.

The topic of academic mobility of students was also discussed at the meeting. It was noted that its development is hampered by the lack of information on internships and the availability of places in dormitories. The minister emphasized that “thanks to the introduction of new generation educational standards starting this year, the programs of various universities are becoming compatible. This will increase the mobility of students who will be able to study courses both in foreign universities and within the country.”

Andrei Fursenko also said that “in the near future the system of foreign internships will be improved: it will become more public, and information about participation in competitions will be available to everyone.”

N.D.

Based on materials
press service of the Ministry of Education and Science