The 2022-2023 academic year has been launched in leading universities of the South of Russia within the framework of the Business Schools project. On September 27, 2022, the opening ceremony of the project took place at the Kuban State Agricultural University, on October 6 at the Kuban State Technological University, on October 12 at the Southern Federal University (Rostov-on-Don). At the Kuban State University, the beginning of the academic year of the Business School is scheduled for November 2022.

In the new academic year, 14 teachers and 26 senior students of 10 faculties of training became listeners of the project at the Kuban State Agricultural University, 40 students of 5 faculties at the Kuban State Technological University, 40 students of 14 faculties at the Southern Federal University. 

The Business Schools project has been implemented since 2015 with the support of 13 leading companies, including members of the AEB Southern Regional Committee. The leadership of universities invariably emphasizes the importance of this educational project. To implement it, each university has a Supervisory Board, which includes the rector of the university and the heads of key companies. This year, to determine the development strategy and consolidate the project, a Coordinating Council was created, which included representatives of companies and university management. 

The Chairman of the Coordinating Council is Oleg Zharko, Corporate Affairs Director Center South Region, the Head of Business Service Center Danone. To resolve organizational issues in a timely manner, there is a working group consisting of project coordinators of each university under the leadership of Igor Brener, Employee Experience, Cargill GHRS Russia. 

      

The educational program of the project ranges from 90 to 100 hours of classes and is developed by a special working HR group of companies participating in the project. Traditionally, it includes lectures by managers and leading practitioners of companies participating in the project, tasks for solving business cases, excursions to enterprises and holding business games. For a group of teachers – a new direction within the framework of the Business School project at the Kuban State Agricultural University for the second year, a separate program has been developed and a mentoring institute operates under the patronage of the heads of leading companies. 

For students, the Business School project is not just an opportunity for an open dialogue with top managers and specialists of leading companies in the South of Russia, an important practical experience in developing professional competencies, but also an opportunity to build a further successful career. More than 600 students have graduated from Business Schools since the project was implemented.