KEY CONCLUSIONS
EAEU member states are ready to adopt new approaches to supporting talent
“We are talking about the economy in the context of objectives in education and upbringing, with a focus on bringing about qualitative change, improving living standards, and identifying promising research which we are working together to promote. <...> We are talking about a new economic paradigm – an economy based on identifying talent and creating an environment enabling [young people – ed.] to fully realize their potential, both for themselves, and in the interests of our countries and our partnership. <...> Science and education are central in terms of building and developing a talent economy. This is about an educational model in which our respected partners and high-tech industrial companies work together hand-in-hand with scientific and educational institutions,” Elena Shmeleva, Chairman of the Board, Sirius Federal Territory; Head, Talent and Success Foundation.
“Eurasian integration is an ambitious project to create a common economic space which places four freedoms at the centre: freedom of movement for capital, services, labour, and goods. In terms of depth, Eurasian economic integration has cemented its position in second place, despite the fact that we’re not even 10 years old yet. In a relatively short space of time (by historical standards), our countries have managed to accomplish considerable success in securing economic stability at a time of geopolitical and economic turbulence. <...> Going forward, economic tools need to be supplemented with goal-oriented work to develop human capital across Eurasian Economic Union member states. <...> It seems to me that we are in a position to adopt new forms of integration in the Eurasian economic space,” Daniyar Turusbekov, Director, Organizational Support and Protocol Department; Chairman of the Youth Council, Eurasian Economic Commission.
“Integration is happening without us. There is an enormous number of excellent examples. We need to identify them, highlight them, and help roll them out to other countries. The question of the Russian language is very important in this regard. <...> It’s vital to maintain a balance between the national language, and Russian as the language of guests. <...> The legal ability to open branches has been a great source of support to us – it turned out to be very important,” Aleksandra Glazkova, Deputy General Director – Director for Organizational Development, Uralchem.
PROBLEMS
A lack of uniform requirements in relation to education and training teachers in the context of talent development
“It seems to me that we need to think about education standards and a system of uniform requirements, or at least transparent requirements in relation to school-leavers, college graduates, and university graduates. I think that if such a system operates in a semi-autonomous way, then it will be effective,” Ilya Dementyev, Rector, Gazprom Neft Corporate University.
“First of all, we need sovereignty in the energy sector. In order to achieve this, we need to have intellectual sovereignty and technological sovereignty. However, how can we attain these forms of sovereignty without relying on a system in which we train a workforce – professionals – in fundamental science while taking an interdisciplinary approach and focusing on practice? How can we neglect focusing on talent here? Unless we do focus on it, we will not make any kind of breakthrough, and will not attain genuine sovereignty,” Yury Sentyurin, Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
“Inclusion is very important. There shouldn’t be something like a school for children, but rather, a school with children. Full-cycle schools, such as the Presidential Lyceum... or federal territories could offer the greatest benefit in terms of developing talent. <...> Clearly, the quality of education at a school is only ever going to be as good as the quality of the teachers working there. Therefore, teacher training in terms of nurturing talent is extremely important,” Pavel Terekhov, Director, Pokrovsky Quarter School; winner of the Director of the Year of Russia national professional competition (2022).
SOLUTIONS
Developing a unique educational model for EAEU member states is essential in order to protect national priorities
“In order to become a self-sufficient pole, a self-sufficient institution for the development of the talent economy, we in the EAEU need to create a model that will unite our educational models or even school networks. This should be a model that develops in line with best global practices and standards. Of course, at the same time we need to factor in national interests, national priorities, and those national professional pedagogical schools that today can be considered to embody best practices. This is one of Sirius’ most important objectives. We are currently in a dialogue with our corporate and academic partners across a whole range of countries so that together we can create a unique educational model that can be rolled out,” Elena Shmeleva, Chairman of the Board, Sirius Federal Territory; Head, Talent and Success Foundation.
“Our council does a lot of work in the Eurasian space. <...> We consider it vital to take a systemic approach and build independent structures that can be integrated and mutually enriched, both in terms of identifying talent among school pupils and students, and at a later, more scientific‑based stage of education. And I will reiterate here that the World Youth Festival is set to take place early next year in Russia. The last time the country hosted the event was in 2017. <...> We cannot build an ecosystem without abiding by the network principle – it offers us freedom and increases efficiency several times over. That is because each segment of the network is fairly independent, and provides separate results, thereby leading to a synergic effect. <...> The Greater Eurasian Partnership is already taking shape, as is a space underpinned by trust,” Konstantin Kolpakov, Chairman of the Council of Young Diplomats, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
“We need to synchronize different education systems. A key objective is the creation of common ecosystem within the Eurasian Union that will attract intellectually curious young people who think outside the box. The first steps have already been taken, but more systemic work with a strategic focus is needed. <...> Sirius could well serve as a springboard for growth and operate as a unique focal point. That said, we all need to work together to flesh out new standards,” Aleksander Yakovenko, Rector, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
“It seems to me that in putting the prerequisites in place to attain intellectual and technological sovereignty, it is vital to establish a system for training people and searching for talent. <...> This should be accompanied by mechanisms which could provide reliable protection from any destructive factors. This would ensure that an integrated education system of this kind does not fall prey to foreign influence,” Yury Sentyurin, Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
“We have opened the first network campus under the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia and Dulaty Taraz Regional University. A meeting of the education subcommittee of the Russian-Kazakh intergovernmental commission took place yesterday [23 May – ed.]. This examined the possibility of opening a number of Russian university branches. The green light was given to opening a branch of the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology in Kazakhstan. As industrial partners, this is a very important development for us, and represents more than any potential business agreements,” Aleksandra Glazkova, Deputy General Director – Director for Organizational Development, Uralchem.
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