BelSU Invests in Chemistry Excellence: New Modules, AI Technologies and Hands-On Training Take Centre Stage

The event at Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) brought together heads of educational programmes, representatives of the Career Centre, and leading faculty from the departments of general chemistry, biotechnology and microbiology. Denis Belotserkovich, head of the regional project Modernisation of the Personnel Training System in Chemistry and New Materials, reported that all roadmap targets had been fully met by the end of 2025. Key objectives for 2026 include securing 41 agreements with industrial partners – a target deemed critical for the region’s human resources sovereignty. To achieve this, the university is strengthening outreach efforts among applicants and intensifying collaboration with companies that commission personnel.

Alexander Galtsev, Vice-Rector and Director of the Department of Educational and Career Path Development, presented an analysis of Unified State Exam results in Chemistry, noting that the target score of no less than 75 points requires targeted work with highly motivated students and enhanced methodological support for chemistry teachers. Meanwhile, 12 targeted training agreements were signed in 2025 under the New Materials and Chemistry Programme using the Work in Russia digital platform.

A key focus of the discussion was the modernisation of educational programmes. Olga Lebedeva, Head of the BelSU General Chemistry Department, and Irina Batlutskaya, Head of the BelSU Biotechnology and Microbiology Department, emphasised the need to develop multifunctional competencies in demand across a wide range of employers. In response to staffing requests from leading regional companies – including Miratorg, Prioskolye and EFKO – new modules are being integrated into the curriculum, and practical training content is being revised.

Svetlana Chernyavskikh, Dean of the BelSU Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the Pedagogical Institute, highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into chemistry education, with over 30 educational events planned involving more than 2,000 participants from across Russia. Additionally, a professional retraining programme titled Chemistry Teacher: Modern Approaches to Preparing for the Unified State Exam has enrolled 269 students, designed to equip educators with the skills needed to help schoolchildren achieve top examination scores.

Career guidance initiatives are also gaining momentum. The Chemical Landing project has enabled over 300 schoolchildren to participate in masterclasses, while the annual Youth of Science conference brought together 95 young researchers. Online preparation classes for the Unified State Exam now serve 280 schoolchildren in the region, and an educational framework has been developed, including 15 filmed laboratory assignments and specialised Chemical Boxes distributed to schools.