Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The lecture course "University of the Silver Age" began at Novosibirsk State University on October 8th. The participants were pensioners from the Sovetsky District of Novosibirsk. This course on financial literacy was organized by Faculty of Economics (EF) of NSU In collaboration with the administration of the Sovetsky District of Novosibirsk, with the support of State Duma Deputy Alexander Aksenenko, the event is being conducted by specialists from Alfa-Bank and Sber. It is part of the mandatory "Service Learning" course, which is being implemented in various formats at all universities across the country and aims to develop civic responsibility, leadership skills, and patriotism, along with professional competencies, through the implementation of socially oriented projects. Students are assigned tasks by social partners, who also oversee student activities throughout the semester. The "Silver Age University" course events in the fall semester are being organized by a project team of second-year students from the NSU Faculty of Economics: Ulyana Molodtseva, Daria Denisova, Darima Bayartueva, and Daria Zyazeva.
The first event of the course was a lecture by Alfa-Bank representative Tatyana Shamanaeva, titled "Money in Action: Generating Income from Savings and Deposits." The expert discussed investment types, and the audience learned about the main instruments for capital growth, namely, savings accounts, deposits, and securities. Investment strategies were also discussed, with the bank representative explaining how to choose the appropriate action plan based on goals and investment timeframes. She also explained when it's appropriate to invest your savings and, together with the audience, explored key points for an effective start and risk minimization. This lecture was aimed not only at helping students understand the basics of investing, but also at their practical application for generating a stable income and managing their finances wisely.
Tatyana Shamanaeva explained that investing can be a way for seniors to supplement their pensions. However, only available funds should be invested, as investments always carry some risk. The most common investment instruments are stocks and bonds. For those who are less willing to take risks, federal loan bonds, which offer yields around the Central Bank of the Russian Federation's key rate, as well as corporate bonds from reliable companies and municipal bonds, may be preferable. However, it's important to avoid high-yield bonds (20% or more above the Central Bank of the Russian Federation's key rate), as they are often risky. Also, avoid investing all your funds in a single bond or a single issuer (an organization or other entity that issues and markets financial assets such as stocks, bonds, banknotes, or bank cards to raise funds).
The expert also explained how pensioners can use various banking products, earn interest on deposits, cashback on prescription medications, and certain purchase categories.
The next lecture, "Financial Health," will take place on October 15th. Sberbank representative Anna Voronova will lead the lecture. She will offer advice on maintaining financial stability, managing financial obligations, and rationally building capital and creating financial plans. The expert will also discuss expenses, savings, insurance, investments, and pensions, and introduce the audience to the four components of financial health. She will present simple and effective methods for maintaining a balance between income and expenses, provide recommendations for managing debt and payments, and provide a detailed analysis of the key factors that shape a person's financial health. She will also share strategies for a secure future, helping to rationally build capital and create financial plans.
The third event will be hosted by the project team organizing the "University of the Silver Age" course. It will be a fascinating journey through time, "At the Crossroads of Generations: From Soviet Classics to 21st-Century Flicks." In the first part, attendees will enjoy a quiz about famous Soviet films, complete with riddles and a challenge to guess the melodies played against familiar soundtracks. The second part will feature a discussion about how the values, language, and habits of generations have changed—from boomers to zoomers. The meeting will conclude with an interactive quiz about slang from different eras: attendees will be asked to guess which modern words have become equivalents of Soviet expressions.
"This is the second year we've been offering the lecture course, 'Silver Age University,' for pensioners in the Sovetsky District as part of the 'Service-Learning' course. This spring, we successfully held a series of lectures on financial and computer literacy, 'Cybersecurity Fundamentals for the Senior Generation.' The project was a success and received a positive response from the audience, so we decided to continue the series. The lectures held at NSU are also open to students and faculty, and I think they will be useful for everyone. Last year, we focused on cybersecurity and financial innovation, and this year we've focused on investing and financial well-being. The first lecture has already received numerous positive reviews from attendees. They noted the relevance of the topic, the accessible presentation of the information, and its practical benefits," said Elena Obukhova, PhD in Economics and Associate Professor in the Department of Management at NSU's Faculty of Economics.
Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service
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