TOMSK, May 28 – RIA Tomsk. Tomsk universities made a joint decision not to raise the cost of
education for the 2020-2021 academic year, in order, first of all, to support
students in the conditions of the pandemic who pay for their studies
independently, the press service of the consortium of Tomsk universities said
on Thursday.
According to the press service, earlier the Minister of Science and Higher
Education of the Russian Federation Valery Falkov addressed the rectors of
Russian universities with a recommendation not to raise prices for tuition at paid
departments in the new academic year. It was about maintaining prices at the
level of 2019, which is part of the package of socio-economic support for
higher education in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
"At a meeting of the Council of the Tomsk Consortium of Universities
and Scientific Organizations the rectors of Tomsk universities made a
consolidated decision to keep tuition prices at the level of last year, without
raising, inter alia, at the level of the inflation rate. Tuition fees for freshmen
will be the same as for freshmen last year. Corresponding orders will be issued
in all universities", – is said in the report.
It is noted that in the fight against the spread of new coronavirus
infection, universities faced unplanned expenses: "(We) understand how
difficult it was for teachers and universities to urgently transfer education
to distance formats ... These are additional investments in university
infrastructure and repackaging educational content", – the press service quoted
Falkov.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
However, the report emphasizes that the key motive in the decision of Tomsk
universities is the support of students who independently pay for their studies
at the university: "For the same purpose, TSU created an employment
exchange for students of Tomsk – UNIPROFI, where students of all universities
can find temporary work".
It was previously reported that due to the spread of a new coronavirus
infection in the Tomsk region from March 31 to June 1, 2020, a regime of
complete self-isolation is in effect. During this period, all universities in
the region switched to distance learning, also following the recommendations of
the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. By decision of the consortium,
the summer session of students in 2020 is also held online.
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Tomsk Consortium of Universities and Scientific Organizations includes six
universities, 10 academic institutes and the Tomsk Scientific Center of the SB
RAS. The structure provides interaction of the authorities with the scientific
and educational complex of the region and is the link between industry, applied
science, university and academic environment. The Consortium Council approves
all joint initiatives of organizations belonging to the Big Tomsk University.