Viktor A. Sadovnichy

Background. Given the contemporary realities, the need to improve the educa[1]tional system in Russia is becoming more and more acute. Such improvements are necessary in terms of implementation of national goals and strategic objectives for Russia’s development, of creation of a sovereign national education system and of strengthening the country’s unified educational space (including new regions). They also encompass compliance of students’ training with the requirements of contemporary information society and with the global trends in strategic academic development as well as the formation of knowledge and skills demanded by the labor market both in the near future and in the long-term prospect. In this regard, it is essential to comprehensively assess the challenges facing the educational system and to propose possible solutions on the part of the university community aimed at the achievement of the goals and objectives, both within the framework of existing national projects and programmes and for the medium-term prospects.

Methods. An interdisciplinary approach and structural-functional analysis of education issues in the context of Russia’s national projects and objectives of strategic development constitute the methodological basis of the article.

Results. The author outlines the main tasks to be solved and the directions in the work of the Russian university community. The article shows the directions for reforming mathematical, chemical, physical, and engineering education. It emphasizes the importance and significance of basic science training in higher education. It substantiates opportunities for strengthening the regional base of personnel training as well as gives recommendations for building a sovereign education system and forming a unified educational space. It also highlights the importance of educational work and patriotic education in universities. The directions in the work of the university corporation, proposed in the article, are in fact a programme document for the higher school for the current period and for the future.