Student families and patriotic education: Olga Petrova spoke at the National Centre RUSSIA about the key tracks of universities’ work

Family policy in universities, conscious volunteering and patriotic education will be among the key areas of universities’ work in the new academic year. This was reported to the press office of the National Centre RUSSIA by Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, during the working meeting with vice-rectors for youth policy and educational activities "Key Vectors and Tasks for the 2025–2026 Academic Year".

The first day of the meeting started at the National Centre RUSSIA on 21 August and gathered more than 600 participants. The working meeting, organised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, is being held for the second time, while the National Centre RUSSIA hosted it for the first time. The meeting made it possible to synchronise the upcoming work of universities in the field of youth policy for the new academic year.

"This year we are holding a large working meeting. Two days of active work to reflect and set up the overall system. The tasks are very ambitious — in the national projects 'Youth and Children', 'Family', 'Human Resources' and others. And all of them relate to us, to the university community, to the vice-rectors for youth policy and educational activities. We are discussing, we are sharing practices, and the Presidium of Vice-Rectors for Educational Activities and Youth Policy is actively involved," said Olga Petrova.#IMAGE_0c01f1f5-d729-4b6a-9ab8-ed2e3c6d0644#

The deputy minister noted that every university in the country is unique, and thanks to the space of the National Centre RUSSIA, it has the opportunity to share practices and experience with colleagues on a single platform. She stressed that in the new academic year universities’ work within youth policy will be carried out along several key tracks.

"Without doubt, we are continuing the track of supporting families. This direction was started back in 2024. Great attention is paid to student families, families of young teachers and scientists. The track of patriotic education, strengthened in 2025, will also be continued. We will continue to develop conscious volunteering, as well as the sports track as a tool for engagement and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. We will also continue the development of scientific work with talented students," said Olga Petrova.

The second day of the working meeting, 22 August, is dedicated to thematic speeches by leading industry experts on issues of patriotic education, employment of young specialists, and scientific development. The participants are also working in thematic sections, where vice-rectors are discussing student entrepreneurship and communities, the volunteer movement, and health programmes for young people.