Dear friends!

On behalf of the Ministry of science and higher education of the Russian Federation and  in my personal capacity, I congratulate you on the start of the new academic year!

Knowledge day is the main event for students, postgraduates and lecturers of Russian universities, for all who develop the system of national education. Each academic year is special, it brings new discoveries, new ideas and opportunities.

Today, the state is reliant on higher education. It is the current generation of students and teachers who can provide an innovative breakthrough that will lead Russia to the number of countries-leaders in scientific and technological development. For that to happen, Russian universities will have to seriously change themselves in the coming years: teaching methods, approaches to the organization of the educational process, theses – everything will be more focused on practical scientific and professional activities. Russian universities will become more open in terms of international cooperation, and their graduates – competitive in the Russian and foreign labor markets. As a result, Russia should be among the top ten countries in terms of the presence of national universities in the global ranking of the top 500 best universities in the world.

Each student and teacher can contribute to the development and modernization of Russian higher education. Your support, courage and initiative, creativity and responsibility is the base for the success of the reforms that will provide Russia a worthy place in the global system of knowledge and innovation!

I wish you brilliant success in all your endeavors in the new academic year!

Mikhail Kotyukov,

The Minister of science and higher education of the Russian Federation