Unsolvable Problems as a Basis of Higher Education. Interview with A. Volkov, dean of Moscow School of Management Skolkovo

Abstract

Andrey Volkov, Eng.D., Rector of Skolkovo — Moscow School of Management, Skolkovo, Russian Federation. 
Email: Andrei_Volkov@skolkovo.ru
Address: 100 Novaya St., Skolkovo rural locality, Odintsovsky District, Moscow Oblast, 143025, Russian Federation.

The interview is about the idea of a new type of university that implies training people and teams to face the real-time challenges by designing new activities and transforming the existing corporations, industries, and territories.

The new model differs fundamentally from the research university model. Research strategies of the new type will be largely based on observing global trends and challenges that impose new existence conditions on humans, corporations, and states. The key functions will include applied research consisting in creating knowledge that can be used to solve a real-time problem in a specific situation.

As proved by earlier types of university, each new model occurs as a response to emerging sets of global challenges. Thus, the new model of university focused on designing new activities and developing the existing corporations and institutions is considered a response to the ever-growing rate of change in the world and to the need to solve difficult management and socioeconomic problems. Volkov also reveals prerequisites for inevitable changes in the existing educational system.

Volkov believes that educational process should aim to conform to professional standards established by employers and to develop creative thinking skills, which are getting more and more demanded in the labor market. There is a need to develop advanced methods and forms of education to let students become active players in the educational process.

Finally, Volkov touches upon importance and efficiency of monitoring activities of higher professional educational institutions by the Ministry of Education and Science.