Representatives of Russian universities discuss social policy at UNN
On June 4 and 5, 2026, university representatives from the Volga and Central Federal Districts met in Nizhny Novgorod to address the demographic situation in Russia, develop effective solutions in family policy, and share their experiences in implementing successful practices for working with student families.
The seminar brought together vice-rectors of Lobachevsky University, Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute, St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Degtyarev Kovrov State Technological University, Ogarev Mordovian State University, Alekseev State Technical University of Nizhny Novgorod, Higher School of Economics, Ivanovo State Polytechnic University.
The event was opened by Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University.
"This seminar addresses one of the most urgent and strategically important topics of our time — the demographic situation and family policy in higher education institutions. We are talking about the future of our country, and universities have a key role to play in this regard. Our university systematically organises its work so that student years become not only a time of professional growth but also an opportunity to build a strong and successful family. There are 221 student families at UNN, and notably, 96 of them are already raising children. The university has established and maintains a comprehensive support infrastructure. We have two mother and child rooms, and student families receive a package of support measures. In the next two days, we have a busy agenda ahead. We have prepared lectures and presentations of our best practices. I wish us all productive work," noted Oleg Trofimov.
Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, delivered a video address to the conference participants.
"I would like to express my gratitude to Lobachevsky University for serving as a platform that brings together colleagues from other regions and universities. I am confident that during the seminar, participants will come up with ideas for joint initiatives, and some practices from Lobachevsky University will be adopted and implemented in other higher education institutions. I can definitely say that this interaction and this experience, when we reflect together, while fully aware of the importance and responsibility currently facing the field of youth policy, is very valuable to us. I wish all participants memorable days and am certain that everything will definitely work out," the Deputy Minister said.
The audience was greatly interested in the immersion lecture by Professor Sergey Sudin, Head of the Department of General Sociology and Social Work at the UNN Faculty of Social Sciences, on the demographic situation in modern Russia. Professor Nadezhda Egorova from the same department emphasised the importance of the most crucial institutional resource for population reproduction when discussing family and family policy in Russia.
Also, during the first day of the seminar, university practices on improving social policy were presented.
On June 5, the Corporate University of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Government served as the second venue for the seminar. A discussion meeting was held there, focusing on current issues related to the implementation of state family and social policy, as well as the promotion of traditional values.
Elena Chumankina, Vice Rector for Youth Policy and Educational Work at Lobachevsky University, summed up the results of the seminar.
"The seminar became an excellent platform for sharing the best university practices. For instance, colleagues from Ogarev Mordovian State University shared how to make mother and child rooms popular among students and faculty with children. In return, we showcased our experience in working with family values: the 'Clan, Family, Traditions' programme and the 'Family Tree' project. We are grateful to all the participants of the event and hope that such an engaging and warm format of experience exchange was both interesting and useful," said Elena Chumankina.
The event concluded with a tour of Lobachevsky University and a visit to the Pechersky Ascension Monastery.
