ASU News

Adyghe State University concluded a four-day, project-based intensive course. From July 13 to 16, the university's administration, faculty, program directors, and invited experts collaborated on a comprehensive transformation of the educational system, which will shape ASU's development trajectory for the coming years.

The primary objective of the session was to develop a holistic vision for the new education model. Participants analyzed external challenges facing the university, evaluated the interim outcomes of the 2021–2025 transformation plan, and identified the strengths and challenges of the current system. Key topics of discussion included shifts in the labor market, technological advancements, the emergence of new professional roles, and the increasing importance of personalized educational pathways.

"We have now reached a stage where we can set ourselves the goal of achieving a comprehensive qualitative transformation across a wide range of areas. To this end, we have decided to conduct a joint strategic session with CUSTIS, a company renowned for its extensive experience collaborating with Russian universities. By leveraging our accumulated expertise and the insights of our colleagues, we believe this collaboration will enable us to make significant progress," commented ASU Rector Daud Mamiy.

The session participants developed a comprehensive profile of graduates and applicants, identifying both the professional and universal skills essential for a modern specialist. Particular emphasis was placed on designing the student journey—from admission to entry into the labor market. It was proposed that the educational process be viewed as an integrated system of learning, research, and project activities, with individualization supported by clear navigation and advisory services.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the development of project-based activities, interdisciplinary collaborations, and internal reforms within the university itself. Participants explored innovative approaches to organizing the educational process, the evolving role of faculty—as increasingly becoming mentors and facilitators of student trajectories—and the development of support services to better assist students throughout their academic journey.

The intensive course led to the creation of a comprehensive transformation roadmap. The teams established the guiding principles of the new model, prioritized its core content requirements, and outlined detailed implementation steps. Individual components of the updated system are scheduled for testing as early as the 2026/27 academic year.

"We didn't come with ready-made solutions. Our task was to organize the work and help our colleagues formulate the changes they truly needed. We translated the team's vision of what education should look like into a concrete construct—an educational space," said Ivan Nikitin , expert, consultant and analyst for the Modeus project, and Deputy General Director of the IET University .

The project-based intensive course marked not the final stage, but rather the beginning of the next phase in the evolution of ASU's educational system. The solutions developed will undergo further refinement, practical testing, and gradual implementation. Throughout this process, students will remain the central focus. The new model aims to create an environment that fosters high-quality professional training, informed career decision-making, and preparedness for continuous development in a rapidly changing world.