Evaluation of the effectiveness of Russian universities in addressing personnel development challenges

Introduction . The transition to a new system of higher education in Russia is examined within the framework of the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development. Aim . The present research aims to analyse existing and planned university performance indicators, assess their relevance to personnel development at universities, and formulate proposals to enhance the personnel development system, taking into account the implementation of a new personnel training system in Russian higher education. Methodology and research methods . The fundamental methodological approach employed was systematic. Theoretical research methods utilised included a literature review on the research problem, analysis of normative documents, comparison and generalisation, induction, and synthesis, which involved formulating proposals for an approach to evaluating university activities. Results . An analysis of the current performance indicators of universities led the author to conclude that two indicators are prioritised: the proportion of employed graduates and the proportion of teaching staff whose average salary is 200% or more than the regional average salary. The introduction of a new indicator, which aims to characterise the system of personnel development (the share of employees under the age of 39 among the total number of scientific and pedagogical workers), may result in a reduction of teaching staff from other age groups. Based on an analysis of the trends in the number of teaching staff at leading universities in the Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions, a consistent decline in both the total number of teaching staff and the proportion of teachers under 40 years old has been observed. The issue of personnel reproduction within universities is a critical one. However, the new system of indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of universities, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, does not address this problem. Scientific novelty . The author proposes a reevaluation of the approach to financing universities, suggesting that the state should financially support the number of staff positions justified by each university. This proposal includes the establishment of salary rates for young teachers, with the estimated proportion of these rates constituting at least 35% of the total number of teaching staff positions at the university. Implementing this approach will promote continuity in the intellectual and value-based development of teaching staff, grounded in established scientific schools. Practical significance . The research findings can be used to formulate a strategy for advancing the scientific and educational sectors in light of the transition to a new personnel training system in higher education.