On the Direction of the Higher Education Reform

Abstract

This study is an attempt to identify specific barriers to the development of a modern system of the Russian higher education. The paper analyzes the two most essential polemical issues of the reforms in higher education in Russia. This is relationship of tradition and innovation and an efficienc y of university research. We note that such sensitive topic as quality of human capital can only be solved through the model of project financing with measurable indicators. Deal is easy - set up university rankings so, that professionalism in our country will become the locomotive of career opportunities. We believe that at least half of the training courses should be devoted to the solution of practical problems, development of different scenarios for the future. At the same time science need to propose new ideas and projects, that are not born of simple logic and the implementation of which will be carried out by entrepreneurs who in competition with each other are forced to turn to the science for help. The higher education system also should be designed to strengthen competitiveness of the national culture: competitiveness of the country as a whole is created first of all by education and science. Authors present main conclusions about empiric study the higher education system in St. Petersburg also. Basis of this study was a survey of students, scientific and teaching staff. Survey asked to rate the quality of the environment, organization, content and results of the educational process in higher education and influence of educational attainment on the professional career. It is concluded that educational barriers are breaking whole process aimed at improving the quality teaching, hampering the fulfillment of the modern labor market requirements.