Russia cuts 10% of university spending

Russia is set to cut 10% from its university budget following its ongoing economic crisis and the devaluation of its currency.

Beset by both tumbling oil prices and international sanctions placed on the country due to its involvement with the continuing conflict in the Ukraine, the country has seen its currency valuation collapse, rising from RUB 35 per $1 at the start of 2014 to RUB 69 at the close of last year. At the same time, the Russian government is increasing its expenditure on the military, which now stands at RUB 3.3 trillion.

Alexander Povalko, deputy minister for education and science, said in a statement that the total funding will be cut from RUB 259 billion ($4.2bn) to RUB 233 billion. The reduction will mostly affect investment programmes into Russian universities, and the government is hoping to fill the gap through sourcing private funds, the commercialisation of university research, and attracting foreign students. He also pledged to keep university staff salaries at the same level as 2014, and increase student scholarships.

The move has received criticism from Russian universities. Viktor Sadovnichy, Rector at Moscow State University, said the university had already cut 10% from its budget, forcing the university to reduce spending on all items, including purchasing new equipment, conducting repairs, and its research and development activities.

Sadovnichy said: “Our administration has already been forced to revise our budget. At the same time, though, we do not have plans to raise tuition fees, neither this nor next year. The current crisis in Russia will allow us to increase the number of foreign students because it will be cheaper for them in 2015 than in 2014.”