Tomsk State University has reaffirmed its prominent position in the Research Leadership track of the Priority 2030 initiative. As per evaluations by experts, TSU has secured a position in the top 5, making it eligible for program funding. Notably, TSU stands out as the sole traditional, regional university within the primary cluster of leading universities. Under the guidance of Rector Eduard Galazhinsky, the TSU team effectively presented a visionary approach to university advancement, framing it as an ecosystem university founded on five core principles: shared values, strategic positioning, communication protocols, collaboration, and collective endeavors to foster innovation and progress at the national level.
The ecosystem university concept serves as the cornerstone of TSU’s strategic roadmap towards 2035, wherein academic institutions, research centers, and industry partners collaborate on joint initiatives to safeguard the nation’s technological independence.
Addressing the evolving challenges of the present, TSU champions a novel framework of collaboration embodied in the ecosystem university model. This model is underpinned by the five fundamental principles: emphasizing common values, including a strong sense of national identity; fostering cooperative ventures through pioneering projects like the genomic printer and the establishment of a novel detector market; establishing unified communication protocols and strategic positioning; and engaging in partnerships with diverse communities. These principles are actively integrated into the fabric of the University of Tomsk, as highlighted by Eduard Galazhinsky, the Rector of Tomsk State University and the chairman of the Tomsk Consortium of Scientific and Educational and Scientific Organizations.
TSU’s team during the presentation to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Image courtesy of the Sociocenter
TSU stands out as a frontrunner in various national initiatives, being among the select few universities shaping a fresh paradigm for the country’s higher education system. Since 2023, the university has rolled out 13 innovative educational programs encompassing disciplines such as law, IT, physics, ballistics, and more. A distinguishing feature of these programs is the provision of micro-qualifications, enabling students to address workforce shortages in rapidly evolving markets and secure employment even before graduation. The overwhelming demand for these new programs is evident from admission statistics, with competition levels doubling compared to other offerings.
Furthermore, TSU has pioneered a distinctive approach to engineering education, equipping students with expertise in agrotechnology, biotechnology, and ecotechnology, covering areas such as breed enhancement, product processing, waste management, and the development of future food solutions. Collaborating with a diverse array of entities such as JSC SIBAGRO, ECCT LLC, Solagift, JSC Avgust, and others, TSU is at the forefront of fostering innovation in these domains.
In conjunction with the University of Tomsk initiative, TSU and partner universities are spearheading an accelerator program as part of a federal project aimed at nurturing technological entrepreneurship in Russia. This initiative targets students, the academic community, and investors, culminating in the U-NOVUS-2023 forum for emerging scientists, where Tomsk students will showcase their projects to industry experts. Noteworthy is TSU’s leadership in supporting early-career projects through the Student Startup program, with over 25 initiatives securing funding of 1 million rubles each.