Category: Университетская жизнь /

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko chaired a meeting on the development of target funds and other forms of charitable support for educational and scientific organizations.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Andrei Omelchuk, Deputy Minister of Education Olga Koludarova, representatives of other ministries and departments, scientific organizations, and university rectors (MIPT, HSE, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, etc.).

In preparation for Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's strategy session, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science has formed seven working groups that are developing proposals to create tools for supporting universities with their graduates and to improve mechanisms for the formation and use of endowment funds (ETFs) for educational institutions addressing pressing industry issues.

The results of their work over the past three months were presented at the meeting. The groups developed proposals for support tools, conducted a survey of over 100 successful and well-known alumni from 20 universities with large endowment funds, developed proposals for a list and methodology for collecting key indicators to assess the current state of endowment funds, and analyzed current legislation.

"President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has instructed that proposals be submitted for developing tools to support educational institutions through their graduates, as well as for improving the mechanisms for forming and using endowment funds for educational institutions. According to statistics, every second endowment fund in Russia operates in the education sector—approximately 40% of all funds. Moreover, over 36% are in higher education. It is necessary to strategically expand the geography of these funds, creating them not only in higher education but also in schools, secondary vocational education institutions, and research organizations," said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Over the past 18 years, more than 400 Federal Targeted Funds (FTCs) have been established in our country, with total assets exceeding 155.5 billion rubles. In 2024, the volume of funds invested in these funds increased by 8.6%, demonstrating increased confidence in this long-term financing instrument for socially significant projects.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin instructed the development of proposals for additional measures to support the development of endowment funds at universities. In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Science's instruction, the Concept for the Development of Endowment Funds for Universities and Research Organizations for 2025–2035 and its methodological recommendations have been approved.

"Today, the Ministry of Education and Science, together with other agencies, is actively working to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of endowments. It is crucial for us that endowments in Russia are growing, and we are creating the conditions for their further development. This work is based on extensive research involving over a hundred experts. Based on market analysis and surveys, key challenges and proposed solutions have been identified and will be further developed. In developing these measures, we are focusing on increasing trust and removing administrative barriers, including expanding tax incentives and promoting endowments. These steps will strengthen the funds' financial stability and improve their performance," noted Deputy Minister of Education and Science Andrey Omelchuk.

The "Education and Promotion" working group conducted a survey of successful graduates of Russian universities to identify barriers and incentives for their participation in the formation and development of university endowment funds. The survey revealed that 71% of graduates are aware of the concept of endowment funds, and almost half of those surveyed—45%—are willing to make regular small payments to support endowment funds.

Ivan Lobanov, Rector of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, noted the increase in the number of specialized educational programs for training qualified personnel for foundations: by 2025, there are several thousand potential students associated with more than 400 foundations, as well as more than 1,000 potential course participants working in higher education institutions.

MIPT Rector Dmitry Livanov noted that an analysis of best global practices shows that the successful development of endowments is possible with a combination of three factors: flexible regulation, active university participation, and low barriers to entry for small foundations.

"In Russia today, only the first step has been fully implemented. Therefore, our task is to create the necessary conditions: reduce administrative and financial barriers for small endowments, empower universities to support their endowments from the start, and develop platform solutions that dramatically reduce costs. We are convinced that a dedicated government support program is also necessary for accelerated market growth. This will allow us to create a modern endowment infrastructure and make endowments a viable source of long-term investment in education and science," noted Dmitry Livanov.

Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, outlined key measures for tax and non-tax incentives for endowment funds.

"The working group believes that such measures should include quick wins in the form of simplifying administrative procedures for creating and administering endowment funds based on out-of-the-box solutions, and creating model documents designed to help small endowment funds register and begin operations," he said.

Speaking about the medium-term outlook, Stanislav Prokofiev emphasized the need to improve legislation, as well as to ensure the flexibility and transparency of the Federal Center for Strategic Development and the expansion of investment instruments.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Alexey Overchuk took part in the trilateral meeting between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

A meeting between representatives of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was held in the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting focused on infrastructure cooperation and strengthening transport connectivity in the region. The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, the Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, and the Iranian delegation was led by Minister of Transport and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq.

During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of developing joint solutions to create a comfortable and seamless environment for carriers, exporters, and importers as part of the development of the western route of the North-South international transport corridor.

According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, 176,761 international vehicles crossed the Russian-Azerbaijani border in the first half of 2025, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Freight turnover increased by 13% to 6.8 million tons.

"We've taken measures at some of the automobile checkpoints located on the Russian-Azerbaijani border that have increased their throughput capacity fivefold: from 400 to 1,900 trucks per day," noted Alexey Overchuk.

Following the completion of the reconstruction of the Novo-Filya, Tagirkent-Kazmalyar, and Yarag-Kazmalyar automobile checkpoints, the total throughput capacity for freight transport on the Russian side will be 3,000 vehicles per day.

Projects to build bypasses around the cities of Astrakhan, Makhachkala, Derbent, and Khasavyurt are being implemented on Russian territory.

In the area of railway infrastructure, the Russian side is working to convert the Derbent-Samur-state border corridor to an AC traction system and construct a railway checkpoint in Derbent. At the end of last year, an intergovernmental cooperation agreement was signed with the Republic of Azerbaijan to develop transit traffic along the North-South International Transport Corridor.

Implementation of the 2023 agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran on the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway section continues. In May 2025, the Russian side began conducting preliminary surveys, conducting reconnaissance of the area, and work is underway to establish a geodetic reference network.

"To increase the attractiveness of the western route of the North-South International Transport Corridor, it is important for us to develop a harmonized transport infrastructure between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran and create equal conditions for all bona fide carriers crossing the state border," stated Alexey Overchuk.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that this work is driven by growing trade and economic ties between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

Trade between the two countries is showing steady growth. Russian imports from Azerbaijan increased by 9.5% in the first seven months of 2025, reaching $742.4 million. Trade with the Islamic Republic of Iran increased by 13.3% in 2024 and by 11.8% in the first seven months of 2025, reaching $2.7 billion.

The Free Trade Agreement between the EAEU and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which entered into force on May 15, 2025, gave a special impetus to trade relations.

"If we look at the statistics from May to July 2025, that is, from the moment the free trade zone with the EAEU began operating, we are already seeing a 35% increase in trade turnover," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, noting that the first meeting of the Joint Committee for the Implementation of the Free Trade Agreement was held on September 24, following which a plan for joint activities on trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and Iran for 2025–2028 was adopted.

Alexey Overchuk noted that the strategic goal of joint infrastructure work is to ensure seamless logistics from the Barents and Baltic Seas to the Persian Gulf, which will create the best competitive conditions for producers, exporters, and importers in the three countries.

"This is the work that gives our economies additional opportunities to expand, creates new jobs, increases incomes, and improves people's lives," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.