Valentina Matvienko, the Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, on March 12, 2025, proposed significant changes to admissions at Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan universities, advocating for a reduction of out-of-town students. Matvienko's assertion is built on the premise of enhancing educational relevance and employability, reflecting broader concerns about oversupply of graduates lacking market demand.
Matvienko articulated, "Let’s set the task of reducing the enrollments to higher education institutions over the next five years... to admit only as many students as required for the necessary specialties – and not more. The rest can study at home." This is aimed at addressing what she described as the 'story of losers' faced by many students from regional areas who had migrated to these large cities, often ending up with degrees they could not utilize effectively.
Her concerns echo broader economic worries discussed by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President. Peskov remarked on the negative ramifications of producing specialists for professions not needed by the labor market, stating, "we need to avoid the overproduction of professionals for less demanded specialties, which is undoubtedly harmful to the economy." The emphasis is on aligning education closely with labor market needs to prevent unnecessary burdens on the job system.
The issue of regional student migration has been highlighted by academic expert Irina Abankina of the Institute of Education at the Higher School of Economics. She noted, "About 70% of excellent students with Unified State Exam scores of 80 and higher study at universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg," indicating not only the concentration of talent but also the pronounced disparity with students remaining within regional universities, often with less impressive academic performance.
Matvienko pointed out the logic behind reducing the influx from the provinces to these prestigious institutions. She expressed concern about universities indulging in uncontrolled admissions during economic fluctuations, saying, "We have been irrationally increasing the admission of students to paid education and stamping specialists for professions not needed." Her remarks signal to educational authorities the necessity of refining admission processes based on labor market necessities.
At the same time, this proposal urges the focus back onto regional universities, which Matvienko believes should have stronger roles, particularly as Russia aims to retain its youth population across various provinces. She lamented the trend of young people migrating to cities for education without the inclination to return afterward, stating, "Instead of a success story, which parents counted on, sending their child from the outback to study in Moscow, it turned out to be a story of losers." This highlights the social dilemmas arising from failed educational migrations.
The dynamics of student relocation also reflect on enrollments across regional educational institutions. Insight shared by Abankina indicates geographic lopsidedness: only six Russian regions—Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tatarstan, Krasnodar, and Sverdlovsk and Rostov—experience positive student migration, as others face demographic declines amid ineffective educational structures. This data sets the stage for the types of discussions needed within policymaking realms.
Consolidated responses from various university heads show concern about the quality of students they continue to attract. Many have witnessed trends where the high achievers leave their local areas seeking admission to major cities rather than attending classes at home. This creates unexpected gaps, where well-prepared students are scarce at local institutions, contradicting the intent behind equal access to education.
The Ministry of Education and Science controls admissions to state-funded places but lacks authority over paid education. Matvienko urged the examination of how admissions policies can support both state objectives and societal needs, calling for regional institutions to be more adequately supported with funding and resources necessary for nurturing homegrown talent.
Looking forward, Matvienko envisions significant reshaping of the educational narrative by ensuring each region can cultivate its workforce. "Campuses are being built to consolidate young people within various locales," she remarked, accentuating the importance of familial ties and social fabric, adding: "It is easier to give birth and raise there" than within urban-centric scenarios.
Her ultimate call for educational reform aligns with demographic goals aimed at reversing population decline trends noted across multiple regions. This reflects larger governmental strategies targeting socio-economic sustainability. The argument for nurturing local talent extends beyond academic concerns; it speaks to the foundations of community welfare, addressing longstanding societal issues of migration, employment, family cohesion, and sustainable economic futures.
Whether these proposals gain traction depends on various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and regional universities, the market demands, and the social structures currently influencing educational pathways. The overarching aim remains clear: to cultivate educational systems capable of meeting labor demands effectively, ensuring students can return and thrive within their home regions.