Valentina Matvienko, the Chairman of the Federation Council, has called for significant changes to the admission policies of metropolitan universities located in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kazan. During a recent meeting focused on the implementation of state demographic and family policy, Matvienko expressed concern over the influx of students from all corners of Russia to these major cities. She elaborated on this issue, stating, "Let’s set the task of reducing enrollments at higher education institutions over the next five years... recruiting only as many as are needed for the necessary specialties, and no more. The rest should study at home." This initiative aims to curb what she deems as the overproduction of graduates from unfocused specialties, which often leads to disappointment among students who struggle to find jobs aligned with their degrees.
According to Matvienko, there is increasing competition for limited job prospects outside metropolises, where many regional students end up. She noted a troubling trend: "Instead of the success stories parents envision when sending their children from small towns to learn in Moscow, we are witnessing narratives of failure." This resonates with many who find themselves unable to secure employment after graduation, often resulting in those students not returning to their home regions.
Matvienko's comments have sparked discussions on how best to manage educational resources and tap regional potential. With many students moving to urban areas to pursue higher education — seen as prestigious or more beneficial for career prospects — there is worry about the actual job market's capacity to accommodate them. Matvienko also instructed Lilia Gumerova, head of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education, and Culture, to investigate this situation closer.
Statistics indicate troubling realities. While about 70% of high-achieving students—those with high Unified State Exam scores—study at these top-tier universities, many regional educational institutions are left with students of lower academic achievements and fewer opportunities. This discrepancy raises questions about equity and resource allocation within Russia's broader educational framework.
Many believe this concentration of talent exacerbates regional disparities. Boris Iliukhin, senior researcher at the Center for Economics of Continuing Education at RANEPA, points out, "Between 7 to 15% of graduates from regional schools migrate to top universities in the big cities, drawn by the allure of high salary expectations and professional development—opportunities often scarce back home." This migration pattern has stirred debate on how to make regional universities more appealing to local talents.
The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation currently governs only the admission to state-funded university places, leaving paid admissions largely unregulated. Minister Valery Falkov had previously advocated for the department to gain authority over paid enrollment to align it with national workforce needs. He stressed the importance of targeting recruitment efforts more effectively.
This year, the Ministry has made strides to address regional education needs by increasing the number of state-funded places across various universities, with significant growth seen this academic year. For example, Tatarstan’s quota experienced growth to 1,020 places—up 4.62% from the previous year—indicating attempts to bolster educational infrastructure outside major cities.
Despite these efforts, some argue they are insufficient to stem the tide of students leaving their home regions. Matvienko’s proposal does aim to reallocate responsibility back to local educational institutions, encouraging them to provide relevant training and professional prospects suitable for the local market. "We need to stop producing specialists who are simply not needed," she reaffirmed, reinforcing the necessity for regional universities to align their curricula with market demands.
This focus on improving career readiness through targeted educational programs can contribute to greater economic stability within regions by helping graduates secure jobs where they are most needed. For aspiring students, the idea is to create more success stories—positively transforming expectations for families who invest their hopes and savings for their children’s education.
Simultaneously, experts note the importance of creating programs aimed at retaining educated young people within regional communities by offering competitive salaries and career growth. Ensuring the existence of these opportunities could help curb the prevailing trend of migrations toward major urban centers and promote balanced development across the nation.
With educational reform taking center stage, the coming years will test the viability of Matvienko's vision as the Federation Council and the Ministry of Education work together to craft policies responsive to the realities faced by students and institutions alike. Only time will tell whether these efforts will alter the educational landscapes of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and the broader Russian Federation.