Higher education institutions under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Education have actively engaged in preparations for transitioning to the new higher education system being implemented in Russia. The leading Russian pedagogical university, Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPSU), has been selected as one of the pilot institutions where testing of the new system began in 2023. Other Russian pedagogical universities are conducting comprehensive work that includes implementing flexible educational pathways and developing practice-oriented learning in collaboration with employers and industry partners.

"The transition to a new higher education system represents a crucial step in developing our country's educational system. The need for substantial changes in higher education to meet new requirements was highlighted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his 2023 Address to the Federal Assembly. The head of state emphasized the importance of combining the best elements of the Soviet education system with the experience gained in recent decades. As early as 2022, we undertook significant work to enhance the prestige of the teaching profession and improve the quality of pedagogical education by implementing the 'Core of Higher Pedagogical Education.' We can confidently state that this approach has proven effective: today, pedagogical universities train professionals who possess not only deep subject knowledge but also readiness to address contemporary educational challenges. We are implementing flexible educational programs, strengthening practical training for future educators, and actively employing digital technologies. These measures will not only improve specialists' qualifications but also ensure their labor market competitiveness, particularly in education. The high quality of graduate training and their motivation to work in the education system is further evidenced by the fact that only 1-3% of graduates from our pedagogical universities leave the school system," noted Russian Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov.

In accordance with the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the country will introduce new education levels:

• Basic higher education (duration: 4-6 years) - replacing bachelor's and specialist programs;
• Specialized higher education, including master's programs, medical residency, and assistantship-internship programs (duration: 1-3 years);
• Professional education - postgraduate studies (aspirantura).

For more information, please visit the website of the Russian Ministry of Education.