Vyatka State University College reported on students in the vocational education system of the Kirov Region.

      On October 2, on Vocational Education Day, the Russian vocational education system celebrates its 85th anniversary. Ahead of this significant date we visited VyatGU College — a dynamically developing structural subdivision of the largest university in the Kirov Region. More than 1,700 students study at VyatGU College, with over 100 teachers working with them.

      “We have formed a strong and creative teaching staff united by a common philosophy: creating an atmosphere of goodwill, open interaction and the all-round development of students. We consider this our main priority and the key factor in the education and development of every student,” said Deputy Director for Academic Affairs Sofya Zhvakina.

      “At present,” Sofya Georgievna said, “the college offers 10 fields of study. These are truly in-demand and promising specialties. Some of them were opened at the request of the Government of the Kirov Region. Many educational programs are unique and are implemented in close cooperation with the university’s faculty. Practitioners who are not only professionally successful but also keen to pass on their knowledge and skills to students are actively involved in teaching.”

      In some areas, college students are on par with university students. For example, students in the “Information Systems and Programming” program achieve great success while still studying. The students of information disciplines instructor Elizaveta Sergeyeva constantly become winners and prize-winners of various prestigious competitions and confidently feel at home in the adult professional community. Third-year students Mikhail Korolev, Ilya Zaramenskikh and Alexander Reshetnikov are members of the “Vyatka Owls” team. It should be emphasized that VyatGU College graduates enter adult life not only as highly qualified specialists. Their student years become a true school of life for them.

      “At our college, student self-government is not a formality but a living force that unites active and purposeful students from different years and specialties. The Student Council continues a long-standing tradition of co-governance, where every student has the opportunity to influence college life. By participating in organizing events, the students learn to lead, take responsibility, manage their time and work in a team. This is how those very ‘flexible skills’ — soft skills — are formed, which are valued by employers and are so necessary for success in the modern world, regardless of the chosen profession,” said Natalya Tuvareva, Deputy Director for Educational and Upbringing Work. Natalya Alexandrovna noted that possessing soft competencies makes VyatGU College graduates competitive in the labor market and allows them to achieve career growth with ease.

      During the conversation the interviewees cited facts that eloquently speak to the students’ and alumni’s attitude toward the college. It turns out that entire families study here; for example, brothers and sisters who pass on a fond memory of their alma mater to one another. And now the college is being brought their children by the first graduates, who are now around 40 years old. For the teachers, this is the best evidence of professional success.

      Modern students are also not sparing in their warm words about the college.

      “I like the college because of our student life. We don’t sit still — every day we do something, come up with ideas, perform at concerts, win prizes. We’re all friends. And the teachers are on the same wavelength with us, they never leave us without help,” shared third-year student of the “Jurisprudence” program Andrey Ladygin.

      “I really like VyatGU College because it’s fun and comfortable here. There are great students and teachers. I also like the activity at the college. There’s always the opportunity to participate in various events. And, of course, classes are interesting,” confessed future primary school teacher Veronika Yuklyaevskaya.

      Alexandra Bulycheva and Sofya Vologzhanina are second-year students in “Advertising.” This program was opened last year and has become very popular. The girls commented, “The classes are very interesting; they are taught by university lecturers and media industry professionals. The college is great, we are very happy.”

      Happy Vocational Education Day and happy anniversary to the vocational education system, VyatGU College! Wishing new achievements and victories!