ASU News

On March 4 and 5, Adyghe State University hosted a forum to discuss key challenges in modern education. It hosted the inaugural All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation, titled "Education as an Environment for Personal Development in the Era of Technological Leadership: New Challenges and Opportunities."

The event was organised by Adyghe State University, the Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Education in the Republic of Adygea, the Scientific and Educational Cluster "Institute for Quality of Life," and the Faculty of Social Technologies and Tourism at ASU.

The conference brought together over 250 participants from 15 regions of the Russian Federation. Leading scientists from the Russian Academy of Education, Moscow State University, the Higher School of Economics, Moscow City Pedagogical University, Tomsk State University, and other research centres across the country discussed the transition from knowledge consumption to knowledge creation, joining forces at ASU both in person and remotely.

The primary focus of the discussion was re-evaluating the role of teachers in the digital age. How is artificial intelligence transforming education? Who will be the educator of the future? These questions served as the central themes for the plenary session and the thematic sections.

The Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Adygea, Evgeny Lebedev; the First Vice-Rector of ASU, Murat Bedanokov; and Elena Kukva, Director of the ASU Research Initiatives Department, delivered welcoming remarks to the participants. They underscored the significance of the issues discussed for the development of the region and the country as a whole.

The key speakers at the plenary session included RAE Academician Svetlana Ivanova, who delivered a presentation on the humanitarian risks associated with digitalisation; Moscow State University Professor Galina Sorina, who elucidated the specialised nature of pedagogical work; and RAE Deputy President Zhanna Sadovnikova, who outlined strategies for safeguarding schoolchildren within the information space.

The presentations addressing the practical aspects of education and training garnered particular interest. Alexander Nizov, Chief Methodologist at the Mashuk Knowledge Centre, delivered an engaging and interactive lecture titled "Formation of a Value System within the Framework of Educational Activities." In his discussion on the influence of technology on education, he underscored the significance of maintaining pedagogical traditions.

"Over the past 25 years, education has become saturated with technology; however, we are increasingly revisiting the classics of Russian pedagogy. Our task is to achieve a synthesis between the classical pedagogy, which contributed to Soviet education being regarded as the best in the world, and the new technological challenges facing the country today," noted Alexander Nizov.

Vladimir Nikolsky, PhD in philosophy and professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, concentrated on the value foundation of a professional in his master class, "How to Transform Experience into Development? Systematic Reflection in Learning." He asserts that the primary challenge of our era is to cultivate not only engineers or educators but also citizens committed to serving their country. "It is essential to develop a foundation of values that enables our professionals to genuinely serve the nation and contribute to its prosperity. Experience, if not reflected upon and imbued with meaning, remains merely a fact of life. Understanding the significance we assign to our work is of crucial importance," Vladimir Nikolsky emphasised.

The conference showcased seven discussion platforms addressing a diverse array of topics, including inclusive education, cyberpsychology, social work, and tourism as a catalyst for social change. Scholars and practitioners engaged in discussions on the digital transformation of educational institutions, the ethical considerations surrounding AI utilisation, and the psychological well-being of participants in the educational sector.

An integral component of the forum was the open discussion club titled "Youth in the Prism of Science and Modern Education," held within the coworking space at the ASU Science and Innovation Park. Dana Khashkhova, an Assistant Professor in the ASU Department of Pedagogy and Social Psychology and Chair of the Council of Young Scientists, organised and moderated the session. She effectively fostered an atmosphere of vibrant dialogue, establishing a tone conducive to discussing the most pressing issues impacting students.

Young university scientists served as experts and speakers: Marianna Melgosh, Chair of the Student Scientific Society; Angelina Delenyan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and Tourism; and Zhanna Bzadzhe, Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Sociology. The club's participants included first- to fourth-year students from the "Institute for Quality of Life" research and education cluster—those who will be studying and working in an era of technological leadership. The students discussed strategies for integrating science and study, preventing burnout amid the influx of information, and how research can serve as a springboard for their careers.

Participants paid particular attention to issues of mental health and "digital hygiene," as well as the design of future professions emerging at the intersection of pedagogy, sociology, and advanced technology. The two-day conference will culminate in the publication of not only a collection of scientific papers but also practical recommendations for schools and universities. Participants conveyed a unified message: in the digital age, education must continue to serve as a space where individuals learn to navigate and manage technology while preserving the human dimension.
More photos from the conference are here.