Marina Lavrikova: openness and independent evaluation contribute to the high quality of education

Since the foundation of St Petersburg University, high quality education has been one of the core values. Today, the procedure for independent quality assessment has become an important part of monitoring the university activities.

The need to conduct an independent assessment of the quality of education is stipulated in Article 95 of Federal Law FZ 273 "On education in the Russian Federation". According to Paragraph 2 of Article 95, independent assessment of the quality of education includes an independent assessment of the quality of the conditions for the implementation of educational activities by organisations engaged in educational activities.

The press-conference focused on the independent assessment of the quality of the conditions for the implementation of educational activities at universities. It also discussed the issues of content, methodology, and implementation of the independent assessment of the quality of education as a priority tool for managing education. 

Representatives of St Petersburg University and Herzen University discussed the best practices for participating in the independent assessment of the quality of education. They also shed the light on the specifics of preparing for the procedure and conducting systematic work to improve university infrastructure, educational environment and learning conditions, including for people with disabilities and disabled people. St Petersburg University and Herzen University are the universities that have showed the highest results of the independent assessment of the quality of education in 2023 among the universities of the Northwestern Federal District.

St Petersburg University is a leading university in implementing the principle of information openness, which is confirmed by the results of feedback procedures as part of sociological surveys conducted by the Centre for Assessment of the Quality of Education and the St Petersburg University Virtual Reception.

Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities at St Petersburg University

‘It is necessary to note the importance of the procedure for surveying education recipients, i.e. respondents among the students at St Petersburg University, as part of the independent assessment of the quality of education. This enables us to give an objective assessment of the quality of the conditions for the provision of educational services,’ said Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities at St Petersburg University. 

The University is a unique research, educational and museum complex. In this regard, the fulfilment of the requirements to ensure necessary conditions, including education for people with disabilities and disabled people, in the buildings of the University that are related to cultural heritage sites is an important task. This task is solved by the University’s own efforts. In recent years, special conditions for an accessible architectural barrier-free environment have been created in the buildings of St Petersburg University, and special equipment for people with disabilities has been purchased and installed. 

‘The analysis of the activities of the University as part of the independent assessment of the quality of education showed the positive dynamics of the work of St Petersburg University to improve the conditions for the implementation of educational activities. Importantly, it is noted by the expert community. This allows us to state that the University today is a territory of opportunities,’ added Marina Lavrikova.

Marina Lavrikova also talked about the long-term and successful experience of St Petersburg University in involving students with disabilities in the social and cultural life of the University. At the University, such students have the right to independently decide on the need to provide them with special learning conditions. 

‘At the University, if necessary, individual curricula and schedules are developed taking into account the situation and educational needs of a particular student. We can prolong the period of study and offer various forms of classes. The University has technological capabilities to ensure that such students receive a high-quality university education in an accessible manner, taking into account their health conditions,’ said Marina Lavrikova.

The inclusive approach to the teaching and learning process is also facilitated by the University’s centres that are set to provide support and assistance. They offer students services in psychological, legal, or volunteer assistance. Students can also use the Virtual Reception of St Petersburg University.

In 2020, the University opened the Centre for Monitoring the Quality of Education. It is set to collect and systematise information on the quality of education at St Petersburg University. It is also set to monitor participants in the teaching and learning process and consumers of educational services through surveys and questionnaires. For example, the survey of graduates conducted in 2022 showed that they highly appreciated their education and were proud to have graduated from St Petersburg University. The Centre for Monitoring the Quality of Education helps to improve the conditions for the teaching and learning process and allows its participants to express their opinion and influence improvements at the University. 

In 2023, the University has opened the Centre for Inclusive Education at St Petersburg University. It is set to coordinate the activities of all departments of the University to create conditions for students with disabilities. The University has an extensive experience in organising the teaching and learning process, taking into account an individual approach to students and creating special conditions, including during challenging covid and post-covid periods. 

The Centre for Inclusive Education at St Petersburg University has coordinated all the events to prepare St Petersburg University to take part in the independent assessment of the quality of education in 2023. 

The press conference brought together Sergei Marchenko, Chairperson of the Public Council of the Independent Assessment of Quality and Deputy Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Analytical Centre"; Vladimir Letunovskii, Assistant to the Rector of Herzen University; Aleksandr Antropov, Director of the Institute of Defectological Education and Rehabilitation at Herzen University; Natalia Bulaeva, expert at the company "Vercont Service"; Aleksei Ganeev, expert at the company "Vercont Service"; Dmitrii Onegov, Head of the Department of Independent Assessment at the research company "Leader"; Iuliia Soloveva, expert at the company "Vercont Service"; and representatives of the Committee on Science and Higher School of St Petersburg.