The meeting was attended by rectors and vice-rectors in charge of educational activities of educational institutions of higher education in the Southern and North Caucasus Federal Districts.

On July 13, Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, spoke at the plenary session "A new model of higher education: normative approaches and essential elements", who spoke about the main criteria for the transition of universities to a new model of education.

 "Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the higher education system requires serious transformation in accordance with modern economic and social challenges. The new model will combine the best traditions of the Soviet school and the achievements of recent decades," Valery Falkov emphasized.

He also emphasized that the transition should be gradual and thoughtful, and strengthening the practice-oriented approach of the programs and the involvement of business in the educational process would increase the competitiveness of graduates in the labor market.

During the meeting, the participants discussed issues of ensuring organizational conditions for the transition of educational organizations to a new model of higher education.

SFedU Rector Inna Shevchenko, who participated in the meeting, presented a report on "New developments in the implementation of Master's degree programs."

According to Inna Konstantinovna, when implementing master's degree programs, it is necessary to deepen knowledge and professional skills through specialized higher education, expand the scope of project work related to the development of the country's ecological complex, design programs based on the life cycle of research, and much more.

"The main criteria for the effectiveness of a master's degree are the success of a graduate, expressed in a significant increase in his salary, as well as the opportunity to obtain several qualifications and easily adapt to the labor market. And most importantly, we must prepare a corps of craftsmen capable of solving complex professional tasks," Inna Shevchenko said.