Lack of funding and a decline in the number of applicants are the main problems of universities in Irkutsk Oblast

Irkutsk universities are discussing how the demographic decline and new admissions rules affect student recruitment, and how requirements for student training and labor market cooperation are changing. Universities do not yet plan to open new majors or raise tuition, but are actively developing additional programs, integrated tracks, and employer partnerships. Of special interest is IGLU's unique program with study in China, through which students can earn two degrees at once.

Thus, specialists at the Irkutsk Linguistic University believe that the decline in the number of applicants is due both to the demographic downturn and to the introduction of new admission rules. There is demand for higher education in the region, IGLOU believes, since students and already working specialists obtain not one but several qualifications and improve their skills. For study under first higher education programs, the university plans to admit as many applicants as it did in 2008. Among the difficulties currently faced by universities, IGLOU also noted problems related to the transition to the two-tier bachelor’s–master’s system.
The Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of Irkutsk State Medical University, Andrey Shcherbatykh, noted that this year the competition is expected to be at the level of previous years. As in previous years, the most in-demand faculties remain “General Medicine,” “Dentistry,” and “Pharmacy.” Speaking about the problems encountered in the educational process, A. Shcherbatykh noted that recently the level of applicants’ preparation has declined. Due to the introduction of the Unified State Exam, the university cannot always select the best candidates.
Most of the university representatives surveyed by Sibnovosti noted that the educational institutions would not open new specialties.
At IGLOU, it was emphasized that the university has always trained specialists in communication in the broad sense of the word. That is why in recent years the university has opened integrated specialties – “Social and Cultural Service and Tourism,” “Museum Studies and Heritage Protection,” “Conflict Studies,” “Organization and Technology of Information Protection.” They involve the study of the core specialty, foreign languages, and information technologies.
The main condition for adapting to labor market requirements at the linguistic university was named as close cooperation with enterprises and organizations in Irkutsk and the region. The university operates a Career Assistance Center, which helps students find a suitable place for internships and then for work. Often, the university itself becomes that place. In addition, IGLOU practices such a form of cooperation with employers as public hearings and specialty review.
Higher education institutions in the region do not yet plan to raise tuition fees for the next academic year. At Irkutsk State University, the issue of changing tuition fees in connection with economic conditions is not being considered. The cost of full-time study at ISU in 2009 ranges from 22,000 rubles per year (Department of Political Science and Religious Studies) to 49,000 rubles (Faculty of Physics). Studying for a master’s degree in commerce at the International Institute of Economics and Linguistics of ISU costs 50,000 rubles. Obtaining additional education at the Baikal International Business School of ISU under the program “MBA: Master of Business Administration” will cost 190,000 rubles for the first year of study and 218,000 rubles for the second.
At Irkutsk State University of Railway Engineering, it was noted that the cost of tuition will most likely remain at the same level (from 31,000 to 56,000 rubles per year).
The average tuition fee at the medical university is 40,000 rubles per year, the highest is 70,000 rubles, and the lowest is 28,000 rubles. According to the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, the issue is currently being considered of allowing students to pay tuition quarterly. Also, starting with the new academic year, the practice of transferring students from fee-paying places to state-funded ones when vacancies are available will be introduced. Competitive selection will be held twice a year, after the winter and summer examination sessions. The main criteria for selecting students are good academic performance (the grade point average must be at least 4), social factors, and active participation in the university’s public life.
Tuition fees at IGLOU range from 35,000 to 45,000 rubles per year. The most expensive educational service is the study of the Chinese language under the 2+2+1 model, specialty “Translation and Translation Studies.” The model involves 2 years of study at IGLOU, then 2 years at Qiqihar University (China), then one more year at IGLOU. Over 5 years, students receive 2 diplomas: Russian and Chinese. The cost – 100,000 rubles per year – is due to the fact that the amount also includes the cost of tuition and accommodation in China.
As the main trends in higher and postgraduate education, university specialists name the transition to a two-tier system of education, as well as the active development of additional education and the so-called “advanced learning.” All experts refrained from making forecasts.