Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On January 30, the State University of Management hosted an open dialogue between students and VTB President and Chairman of the Management Board Andrey Kostin.
The main topic of the meeting was "Development of the international monetary and financial system in modern conditions," and Vladimir Stroyev, rector of the State University of Management, served as moderator.
In his welcoming speech, Vladimir Vitalyevich noted that many students and university staff had gathered in the hall, despite it being the holidays.
"Our university is renowned not only for its engineering and economics education; we also offer specialized economic programs, many of whose graduates hold leadership positions in relevant fields. Furthermore, we train future leaders who value advice and valuable knowledge from an established leader," said Vladimir Stroyev.
In turn, Andrei Kostin immediately gave advice to modern students:
"In life, including student life, it's important to balance work, study, leisure, and all the good things life has to offer. Dialogue with young people is important to me, because every leader needs to understand what young people think and feel in order to be successful and stay relevant. I wish everyone who came here success in their studies and their future endeavors."
We began our conversation with a serious question about the balance of power in the international economic arena and changes in the functioning of the international financial system.
The expert emphasized that the global economy has undergone significant changes in recent decades: while China and India played little role just 20 years ago, today they are leading players, and overall, countries in the Global South and East generate the majority of global GDP. At the same time, the global financial system has remained essentially unchanged since its inception, based on the dominant role of the dollar and Western countries, and this only began to change in the 2020s.
"I'd like to point out that this pivot and abandonment of the dollar initially occurred not on our initiative, but in response to the unprecedented use of financial instruments by Western countries for political gain. It previously seemed that the world was moving toward a global economy, but today, a reverse process of sovereignty is underway. People are moving away from the dollar to the more reliable gold, and in interactions with key partners, they are seeking to use national currencies, as in BRICS, the EAEU, and others. We live in an interesting time of rapid change in our economic and financial policies, and the rapid development of relations with countries like China, India, and the Arab world. Perhaps it's time to learn new languages to facilitate future interactions," Andrey Kostin shared.
Interestingly, earlier this week, the State University of Management signed an agreement to open a Center for the Study of Arabic Languages.
The discussion moved from economics to management. Since the State University of Management trains future managers, Vladimir Stroyev asked his guest, who has headed key financial institutions in the country for over 30 years, which leadership styles he considers most effective.
"I always try to delegate as much authority as possible to my deputies and employees so they can show initiative. This is impossible given the significant amount of work a manager must handle. It's important to oversee key areas and major areas, and micromanaging them is excessive. My employees have expert knowledge in their fields, and many have acquired specific skills. Therefore, it's important to listen to their subordinates when making decisions. At the same time, a manager must take responsibility and make final decisions independently. And once a decision is made, it must be carried out, regardless of the circumstances," Andrey Kostin responded.
The experienced leader also recommended combining youth and experience in teams, maintaining camaraderie, and sticking to one's word. Furthermore, the President and Chairman of the VTB Management Board admitted that many former bank employees now occupy senior positions, and he is always happy to see them advance and succeed, as it means they received a good education at the bank, which has helped them in their future careers.
Continuing the topic, the rector of the State University of Management asked Andrey Kostin about whether leadership skills are innate or acquired, and how they can be developed.
"Certainly, it's possible and necessary to develop these qualities, just as it's important to change certain character traits that might hinder leadership. For example, I personally overcame shyness, because you can't be a shy leader; you need to be assertive and decisive. And here I'd like to emphasize the importance of studying at a university, which not only provides knowledge but also helps develop the skills needed for a career: interpersonal skills, a unique approach to problems, and their solutions. Therefore, those who graduate from a university often find success in other fields, not just their own, because these problem-solving skills are crucial, and specific knowledge can be acquired through practical experience," concluded Andrey Kostin.
The students were the next to ask the distinguished guest questions. They were primarily interested in practical advice on achieving the pinnacle of a career in finance and the secrets to the guest's own professional success.
"The path of my generation will never be repeated. I lived in two completely different societies and started my career from scratch at 35. Today, you have more opportunities to apply your talents and knowledge, but the competition is also higher. Important qualities for a leader are energy, a willingness to achieve goals, and to move forward. You absolutely must have brains, and you certainly have them, otherwise you wouldn't have become students at such a wonderful university," Andrey Kostin responded warmly.
The participants also asked about VTB's CEO's stance on stock market instruments and whether shareholders receive dividends. Andrey Kostin responded that record dividends for 2024 were paid in 2025 thanks to VTB's impressive profit performance, and outlined his expectations for the bank's financial results in 2025 and 2026.
The final question was what advice Andrei Kostin would give to his younger self and what mistakes he would try to avoid.
"As long as a person is alive, they can fix everything. I believe there's no need to lament the mistakes you've made; it's important to find the strength to correct them. I haven't made any irreparable mistakes, and everything else isn't worth getting upset about. Ultimately, I'm happy with my life and the results I've achieved," concluded Andrey Kostin.
The audience gave a thunderous applause to this positive conclusion to the meeting.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: January 30, 2026.
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.
