ASU Rector Speaks about Successful Implementation of University’s Third Mission

Konstantin Markelov presented a report within the celebration of the anniversary of establishment of co-working centre “Boiling Point” and project “100 Lectures by Rectors” of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Along with on-site participation, one could join the discussion online.

Konstantin Markelov reminded the participants about the history of ASU, one of the oldest universities of the region, named the strategic partners of our university and spoke about key projects and plans for development of Astrakhan State University in the upcoming years.

Konstantin Markelov stressed that the “third mission” was a new strategy, based on activities in continuing education, technology transfer and innovation support, integration of the university in sociocultural processes in the region.

According to the rector, the development of continuing education is becoming especially important. The university runs the Academy of Foreign Languages, centre of modern competence development in children “House of Scientific Collaboration named after V.K. Trediakovsky” and two centres of pedagogical staff’s continuing education within project “Teacher of the Future”.

The third mission of ASU considers research activity as a driving force for searching new and more efficient economic solutions for society and through additional fundraising.

The new mission of the university implies inclusion of the university’s infrastructure into the social environment — establishment of informal contacts and communication between the local community and university.

Summing up the results, the rector stressed that the strategic mission of the university is sustainable and highly efficient activity for preserving and developing the university’s potential, capable of making a significant contribution to addressing the tasks of the socioeconomic development and improvement of competitiveness of Astrakhan region. This mission will be implemented through the training of in-demand specialists with new competences, allowing to form the market of technological innovative entrepreneurship, through development of research and technology and strengthening of interactions between businesses, authorities, civil society, researchers and teaching HR.