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Synergy President Vadim Lobov: "The Murmansk College of Digital Professions will help the Arctic to train personnel"
Education in the Murmansk region is increasingly focused on the needs of the labor market. The authorities plan to strengthen the "university-business" ties by developing a mentoring system. One of the key objectives of the regional development plan until 2030, presented by Governor Andrei Chibis, is to preserve and increase the labor potential of the Kola Arctic. This means that we must provide the opportunity for local youth to gain the necessary experience in this field without leaving their hometown, North Korea. In September 2024, the Synergy College of Digital Professions opened in Murmansk. The president of the training company, Vadim Lobov, spoke about the company's concept and shared its development plans.
— The admissions campaign is still ongoing, but it can already be said that programming, graphic design and internet marketing are in the greatest demand. This trend corresponds to the Russian one in general. The IT sector is growing by 42% per year, and design — by 30%. Marketers are a traditionally popular profession, in demand in a variety of industries.
We also follow the development of the creative economy of the Murmansk region, especially the growth of film production. We were happy to provide a region where we could create a truly strong team of animators. The training program was developed jointly with specialists from Soyuzmultfilm. Production designers, animators, producers and studio managers are trained in a variety of specialties.
— What industrial partners do other faculties have?
— We cooperate with the Murmansk Commercial Sea Port, the Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company, the Murmansk Trawl Fleet and the regional branch of the October Railway. We are also negotiating with Alfa-Bank, Sber and the Azimut hotel chain. Qualified personnel are needed for everything, including the digital sphere.
Our partnerships with employers allow us to purposefully and accurately prepare the workforce that is in demand in the region. Synergy widely uses project-based learning. Students of the Murmansk College of Digital Professions participate in solving real cases. Accordingly, students will undergo an internship at the IT company Korund (IT industry), the consulting company Aquitense, the children's center Robomir, the advertising agency Fusion and Pochtabank.
By solving applied production problems, college students can acquire professional skills and enter the labor market faster. We will also ensure smooth admission to the university for those who want to study their specialty in depth or master a related specialty after graduation. As a supporter of the concept of lifelong learning, Synergy always supports people who want to advance in their profession.
— We invited local experts and teachers from different universities. Without false humility, I will note that Synergy is known for its practical teachers. For example, in Murmansk there is the commercial director of VGTRK Murmansk Anna Shumigay. She teaches students subjects related to advertising and internet marketing. Graphic design is taught by local concept designer Evgeny Paikachev.
Students of all fields also regularly attend key industry events, including creative weeks, professional forums, hackathons, olympiads and competitions. We will extend this practice to Murmansk University. We also actively support youth entrepreneurship. Synergy has a grant center that helps students secure funding for promising projects.
— In 2025, we plan to open four new specializations: Additive Technologies, Systems Management, Intelligent Integrated Systems, and Information Security. Digital workplaces are in great demand in the Arctic. Since 2019, the Smart Region project has been launched in the Murmansk Region. IT solutions and artificial intelligence tools are being actively implemented in industrial enterprises, transport networks, and life support systems of northern cities.
We also plan to expand the region of applicants. This year, children from Murmansk and the nearby cities of Kola and Severomorsk studied with us. By the next academic year, we will open a student dormitory so that young people from remote areas can receive an education at the digital university.
Today, the Arctic is one of the leading regions of Russia in the field of digitalization of the economy. The Murmansk region needs labor. Our project is primarily aimed at expanding access to education so that young professionals can realize their creative potential in their homeland without leaving the country.
The regional strategy "Live in the North!" This is already bearing fruit. Last year, for the first time since 1989, the number of citizens arriving in Murmansk exceeded the number of those leaving. We are pleased to contribute to providing skilled labor for developing regions.