Dmitry Bespalov (Rector, NCFU) was one of the speakers at the UNIVERSITIES 2030: RESEARCH – COMPETENCIES – YOUTH Forum held in Nizhny Novgorod State University.

The forum has proven one of the largest discussion platforms for higher education managers in 2020 and was held in a mixed format – both off- and online. The major topics for discussion included the new national project SCIENCE AND UNIVERSITIES, education system adjustment to the current changes, integration of universities into the innovation-based ecosystem of regions, and much more.

The event brought together over 20,000 people, thus aiming to create a dialogue on possible solutions to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

When delivering his speech at the Forum, Mr. Bespalov noted:

– The announced national project includes specific tools that are to enable the University and the research community to engage in the process of shaping economic sectors and the development of regions. Cooperation is an important area, especially for regional universities. Our macro-region of the North Caucasus, for instance, is a specific, multi-ethnic area, so it is of extreme importance to reduce the level of isolation, thus creating a single platform for cooperation, and this in turn will attract the industry. We have plans to join the strategic academic leadership program, while our main goal is to create an environment that would promote the development of human capital in a multicultural region.