The President met with the rector of Pridnestrovian State University named after Taras Shevchenko at presidential executive office. Larisa Skitskaya briefed on the university's current activities. It's now the time for the summer session and midterm exams for students in their final years, as well as the state final assessment for graduates, which will conclude early next month. The diploma ceremony is scheduled for July 9-18. The Class of 2026 consists of 1705 students: 1008 full-time students and 697 part-time students. More than 320 students are graduating with honors according to preliminary data from today. The 20-25% success rate remains consistent year after year, the rector reported.
Vadim Krasnoselsky asked about the state placement of state-funded graduates. Larisa Skitskaya noted among other things that not all employer applications were satisfied. For example, a shortage of subject teachers remains even with the arrival of young specialists. However, a positive aspect is that the admissions targets for pedagogical programs were met 100% last year, and there was even a competitive selection process among applicants (two applicants per place) for primary school teacher training. Another important factor is providing students with the opportunity to combine their studies with teaching and counting these years toward their mandatory work experience. This approach not only fills staffing gaps but also makes the teaching program more attractive to young people. According to the university's director, some students find employment after their second year, and they have time to get involved, adapt, and become attached to the educational institution and the team within three years. They make a conscious decision to work with a particular school after receiving their diploma.
Regarding the admissions campaign, the committee has been working since June 15. Applicants are offered 2203 places, almost half of which are state-funded (undergraduate, specialist, and master's degrees). The number of fee-paying programs was reduced this year due to a lack of demand, in particular, future teachers and agricultural workers are not studying under contract.
Another important area is professional retraining programs. These are primarily commissioned by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture. The state funds the programs to train subject teachers, economists and medical managers, animal scientists, and gardeners.
Secondary vocational education at PSU is also in high demand. The educational process for 350 students is organized at the Institute of Physics and Technology, the Polytechnic University in Bendery, and the branch of the state university in Rybnitsa.
Data on the inclusion of young people with special needs in the educational process was announced. While the initial number of students was 21, more than 50 places have already been allocated this year. Seventeen students have so far applied for admission. These students are training as seamstresses or shoe assemblers. Importantly, they live in a well-appointed dormitory in the capital with other students, allowing them to socialize as much as possible. Vadim Krasnoselsky instructed that other educational program options for young people with disabilities be explored, emphasizing that they should have a choice. Larisa Skitskaya emphasized that students in this category are very active, participating in various projects and competitions. Furthermore, they are not limited in their opportunities to pursue not only basic and secondary vocational education. Students with special needs pursue higher education at many departments of PSU. Moreover, there are graduate students both at PSU and at Russian universities.
Another topic of the working discussion between the President and the Rector was the holding of the Russian Unified State Exam at PSU. It has been in use since 2014. The university staff involved in this work are trained and certified by the Federal Testing Center. The university receives a special certificate for each classroom where the exam is held.
The interlocutors discussed the university's importance to the state. Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that the overwhelming majority of Pridnestrovian medical professionals, doctors, law enforcement officers, and administrators are trained within the republic. It is valuable that the university is constantly evolving, preserving educational traditions and adapting its programs to changing realities, introducing not only current standards and technologies but also new educational areas needed by modern Pridnestrovian society.
