Education is a bridge between countries

15:51, November 24, 2021

Russian business schools have prospects for development on international markets

Dispute of the Association of Independent Centers for Economic Analysis "Nodes of Economic Policy" "Business Education in Russia: how to connect the imperatives of internationalization with the increasing disintegration trends" was held within the framework of the XVI International Conference "Russian Regions in the Focus of Changes”.

Sergey Myasoedov, Director of Institute of Business Studies, RANEPA, President of Russian Association of Business Education, and Dmitry Tolmachev, Director of the Graduate School of Economics and Management, UrFU, Director of the Analytical Center, Vice-President of the Association of Independent Centers for Economic Analysis, presented their point of view on the future of Russian business education as opponents of the dispute. The moderators were Vladimir Klimanov, Director of the Institute for Public Finance Reform, Head of the Regional Policy Center, RANEPA, and Oleg Buklemishev, President of Association of Russian Economic Think Tanks, Director of the Economic Policy Research Center, Moscow State University.

According to the format's rules, Dmitry Tolmachev and Sergey Myasoedov presented their vision of how to link the imperatives of internationalization with increasing disintegration trends, shared their thoughts on what government policy could be that would minimize the damage from disintegration processes in the global economy in the business education sector and What should the leading Russian business schools do that have made a bet on integration into the world educational space and joining the club of elite schools in conditions when the members of this club are passengers of ships moving in different directions?

"Our business education should move away from catching up development and stand on an equal footing with the leading business schools of the world. This is possible by obtaining Triple Crown accreditations. It's possible, but you have to make an effort. We have to find our niche where we have serious fundamental research. Currently, the Anglo-Saxon model of business education is well researched, there have been several large studies of the continental European model, there are also serious studies of the Chinese management model, so now the key basis for many Russian business schools is a serious study of the Eurasian model of business education," Sergey Myasoedov stressed.

To the first question of Dmitry Tolmachev opponent: "And how many triple crown business schools will there be in Russia in 20 years? Sergey Myasoedov gave a very optimistic forecast: "30-40 or even 50 schools of the first rank, taking into account the population and migration." The second question concerned the system of values that Russian business schools need to broadcast in the global space, given the geopolitical processes and the difference in mentalities and cultures.

“The level of political correctness should not undermine either our value system or the value system of other countries. Science and education are tightly connecting bridges, ”stressed Sergey Myasoedov.

Dmitry Tolmachev presented statistics on internationalization in the field of science using the example of accreditations, ratings, publication activity in the field of management and the number of foreign partners. “Yes, the dynamics are positive, but it is impossible to imagine a good business education of the international level on the global market until we have thoroughly studied all the features of the industries and markets for which we train staff. Cross-country barriers are being destroyed almost faster than they are created (by COVID, political situation), thanks to digitalization. Online education is breaking down barriers to quality education. Digitalization of the goods market is breaking down barriers through marketplaces and the logistics system. Digitalization is changing the labor market. Perhaps a business education capable of translating business models of work in new conditions will be even more in demand. We are strong in interdisciplinary formats, for example, our first online master's programme "Smart Region: Sustainable Development in Digital Economy" is about the development of territories, urbanism, IT, and logistics - it is the answer to the most difficult and serious challenges not only for Russia, but also for other countries which focus is effective management of territories," said the director of the Graduate School of Economics and Management of UrFU.

The debate turned out to be very deep and informative. Anyone who is interested in the future of business education is recommended to take some time and watch the broadcast recording.