Lyubov Bocharova, VIC GROUP's Development Director, Spoke at the All-Russian Agrarian Education and Science Forum

The All-Russian Research and Education Forum “Future Trends in Agrarian Education and Science” was held on 12 September at Stavropol State Agrarian University. The event brought together key agricultural sector experts to design a strategy for developing the human resources and scientific potential of the agriculture industry.

In the discussion “Orders from businesses or freedom of choice for prospective students”, VIC GROUP's Development Director Lyubov Bocharova described the challenges the industry is facing: “Agricultural colleges do not provide training for specialists for the veterinary pharmaceutical sector, so there is a shortage of narrow-focus specialists: biotechnologists, pharmacists and experts in the regulatory framework. Training of specialists for diagnostics and development of innovation-based pharmaceutical products and technologies is especially urgent. Companies are unable to sponsor education in these areas owing to the absence of relevant educational programmes.”

The speaker emphasized that modern veterinary medicine requires not only knowledge of traditional disciplines but also an understanding of business analytics, application of AI and Big Data analysis.

The expert shared VIC GROUP's experience of HR training, noting particularly its contribution in optimization of training programmes, organization of competence centres at Russia's leading agricultural universities and internship opportunities for students. Essentially, these initiatives are becoming a tool for training specialists in areas where gaps currently exist in the system of employer-sponsored education.

Lyubov Bocharova suggested that subject areas associated with veterinary pharmaceutics should be included in employer-sponsored education programmes. “Historically, agricultural universities trained the best specialists for pharmaceutical manufacturers. This pathway should be reinstated with due regard for the new realities. It is important to use existing competencies efficiently in order to establish a talent pool for supporting Russia's export ambitions and technological independence in the agricultural sector”, the expert added.

Business initiatives were supported at the highest level. The event culminated in the plenary meeting “Resetting Agricultural Education: a Synergy of Science, Education and Business” featuring Russian Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov and Stavropol Territory Governor Vladimir Vladimirov.

Photo provided by Stavropol State Agrarian University press-service