St Petersburg University presents the DNA of Russia project
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation has developed a project for the academic community to contribute to creating a new approach to teaching a block of humanities disciplines − the "DNA of Russia". About 100,000 lecturers from 500 higher education institutions across the country will take part in the project.
In her opening speech, Elena Chernova, Senior Vice-Rector of St Petersburg University, noted the importance of developing a new paradigm in the system of academic knowledge, and the worldview culture within this system.
’The main idea of the project is to form a new worldview of Russian students. Of course, education plays a very important role in this process, which is why the project encompasses the entire education system,’ said Elena Chernova, Senior Vice Rector of St Petersburg University. ’Our task, as representatives of the University, is to ensure quality education in the system of higher education and to prepare a solid foundation for the younger generation.’
The DNA of Russia project aims to train teachers in a continuing education course on the "Fundamentals and principles of Russian statehood". The project will bring together 20 interdisciplinary centres of the Russian Federation, and 10 satellite universities from each centre, including St Petersburg University.
Andrey Polosin, Director of the Department for Interaction with Regions of Rosatom State Corporation and supervisor of the DNA of Russia project, presented the project’s programme and its main objective. ’Lecturers from leading educational institutions will take part in the professional retraining course. The course will be held on the basis of at least six centres in Russia,’ said Andrey Polosin. ’We have already developed a test version of the programme. It includes three blocks: lectures, seminars and the final block, which consists of the defence of the graduation project. Based on the outcomes, there are plans for an extensive retraining, which will ensure a qualitative improvement in the teaching of humanities subjects. This is our main mission.’
The project will include a scientific and educational conference on the problems of worldview and social sciences "DNA of Russia" from 25 October to 31 October in Sochi.
Following the presentation of the project, it was decided to set up a working group representing the University to work on the implementation of the project’s objectives and the development of a new concept of humanistic knowledge.