On September 24, the 7th Altai-Asia International Educational Forum hosted an expert session titled Leadership Trajectories: Technological Sovereignty through Career Strategies. The session focused on contemporary models of educational development, international cooperation among universities, and partnerships between higher education institutions and industry.

Representatives from five leading Russian and international universities exchanged practices currently being implemented to train specialists at various levels, develop international projects, and most importantly, shape students' career trajectories. The session was moderated by Evgenia Zhdanova, First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Altai State University (ASU):

"The Altai-Asia International Educational Forum has long been a signature event for Altai State University. We hold it biennially and attract university representatives from across the country—from the Far East to Russia's central regions. The forum's primary goal is to discuss the key challenges facing higher education today and to share best practices. This year, the central theme is the integration of artificial intelligence technologies in the educational process and university management. A dedicated segment focuses on higher education reform and the transition to a new model. Another key focus area is the training of technology leaders; the discussion has moved beyond mere technological sovereignty to Russia's technological leadership," she said.

According to Evgenia Zhdanova, "universities must train specialists capable of creating technologies and products that do not yet exist abroad. Particular attention should be paid to additional professional education. Technologies are evolving so rapidly that the core educational curriculum is no longer sufficient; it is crucial for students to acquire additional qualifications and continuously expand their portfolio of competencies."

The following expert presentations illustrate this approach.

Arayly Sarsembayeva, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at the D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU), discussed the university’s strategy for establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with Russian industry. According to the expert, the training of technical specialists begins at the school level: the university develops specialized engineering classes and collaborates with colleges, while its educational programs are designed jointly with industry partners. As a result, students address real-world industrial challenges, while industry professionals, in turn, teach classes at the university.

"Today, the university is not merely a place of study but a full-fledged research and production partner," noted Arayly Sarsembayeva.

EKTU is rapidly advancing joint technology projects with Russia, including centers and laboratories focused on modern transport technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, green energy, and modern medicine.

Dmitry Savkin, Vice-Rector for International Strategy and Development at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, delivered a presentation on how the university, in partnership with the state corporation Rosatom, is building technological leadership across two key career pathways: research and technology management. MEPhI students receive fundamental training in physics and mathematics, but are also offered opportunities to develop competencies in the humanities, such as teamwork, business communication, project management, and economic thinking. MEPhI’s leadership fosters specialized engineering and nuclear-focused classes in schools and collaborates with specialized lyceums, allowing students to immerse themselves in a research environment well before entering university. A distinct area of ​​cooperation involves training specialists for Rosatom enterprises, including through student accelerator programs.

Alexey Kostin, Head of the Professional Education Department at 1T LLC, focused on the role of modern digital tools in additional education. The corporation trains IT professionals for critical industrial sectors, such as the design of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). He presented unique experience in utilizing remote learning systems, UAS simulators, and proprietary robotics complexes within federal additional education projects.

Irina Ivanova, Head of the Center for Work with Gifted Youth at I.N. Ulyanov Chuvash State University (ChuvSU), presented the university's system for identifying and supporting gifted young people. ChuvSU operates a multi-level system for engaging with schoolchildren, from the first grade through to university admission. One of its longest-running successful initiatives is the Small Phys-Math program, which has been in operation since 2014 and involves approximately 1,500 high-achieving students. As part of the NewT.O.H project, physics and mathematics students from ChuvSU help schoolchildren learn physics through hands-on experiments.

Another area of educational activity is career guidance for teachers. Under the Educators to Industry project, participants visit the university's industrial partners, such as EKTRA, a prominent company that develops and manufactures digital secondary equipment for the energy and industrial sectors. According to Irina Ivanova, approximately 10,000 schoolchildren participate in the university's educational, career-oriented, and technology-focused projects each year.