Priority 2030 Cross-University Session Examines Challenges to Achieving Technological Leadership

A two-day cross-university review has concluded at Adyghe State University (ASU). The review assessed the university’s development under the Priority 2030 program, identified gaps and challenges, and developed roadmaps for improvement. These recommendations drew on best practices from universities across the country in addressing complex management challenges.

The expert team from Sociocenter, the operator of the Priority 2030 program, included Sergei Kudryashov, Vice-Rector for Methodological Work at Don State Technical University; Natalia Kloster, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at V.Ya. Gorin Belgorod State Agrarian University; and Kermen Naminova, Associate Professor in the Department of Management at B.B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University.

More than 40 ASU faculty and staff took part in the review. They were divided into analytical groups focused on three areas: managing the university’s development program; advancing technological leadership through the Strategic Technology Project (STP); and creating a new personnel training system aligned with the STP’s needs.

As a reminder, the Priority 2030 program sets goals for transforming universities. Adyghe State University has participated in the program since 2021, implementing strategic projects in mathematics, information technology, and health engineering.

In 2025, following the program’s shift toward technological leadership, the university began implementing the strategic technology project “Digital Breeding: A Digital Assistant for Breeders.” The project supports the national goal of achieving technological leadership in food security. It is designed to create specialized digital tools for storing, analyzing, and using plant images, as well as for forecasting and designing high-performing crop crosses by integrating phenomic and genomic data.

Alongside the project’s development, the university was expected to review and modernize its educational programs and research agenda. These efforts aim to transform it into a center of innovation and excellence, and a key driver of strategic development for the region and the country.

“The group’s goal was to examine the university’s development dynamics, performance indicators, strategic thinking, perceived challenges, and vision for potential solutions. The dialogue was notably open and constructive. I hope it proved valuable to the university, as our two days here brought several important issues to light,” commented Sergey Kudryashov.

The program included group brainstorming sessions to assess the current state of hypothesis generation. Following the initial discussions, team members met with representatives from neighboring groups and, where appropriate, incorporated their feedback into their proposals. Over two days, teams presented their vision and recommendations for improving the university’s operational models in their respective areas. The event concluded with presentations of roadmaps outlining specific actions, an expert feedback session, and a participant reflection.

“These two days were action-packed. The teams were carefully selected, and it was clear that everyone is passionate about the university’s future and focused on the steps needed to move it forward. We shared best practices and observed that the teams spoke not only about their successes but also about the challenges they face. They were open to dialogue,” noted Kermen Naminova

As noted by Adyghe State University Rector Daud Mamiy, the presentation of the results demonstrates that the university has reached a new level of understanding of many processes and implementation paths.

“Despite differing viewpoints within the teams, we have seen a fundamental difference in levels of understanding. We will certainly take constructive ideas on board and continue to improve our processes. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the expert-group colleagues who attended. Thank you for conducting this session to such a high standard and for bringing such a creative approach” concluded Daud Mamiy.