ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE. THE MISSION OF THE INSTITUTE. INSTITUTE IN THE REGION. ECONOMICS.

THE VORONEZH INSTITUTE OF ECONOMICS AND LAW WAS FOUNDED IN 1997.

The main goals of the establishment of the Institute were:

• organization of training in the regional centers of the region;
• implementation of the regional methodology of mixed distance learning (some of the disciplines are taught by the teachers of the main university, some — with the help of a distance learning system);
• ensuring quality equitable education for students, both in Voronezh and in the region;
• ensuring economic accessibility of education;
• anchoring young people in their places of residence;
• the social orientation of the Institute’s activities.

The Voronezh Institute of Economics and Law (VEPI) was the first regional non-state institution of higher education in the Central Black Earth Region, and today it is the largest of the non-state institutions of higher education in the region.

INSTITUTE'S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND PROGRAM

The main directions of the development of Autonomous non-profit educational organization of higher education “VEPI” as a modern Institute.

In the area of training:

• ensuring a high level of quality education, entering the European educational space;

In research area:

• ensuring a high level of basic and applied research;
• development of a research environment;
• training of academic and teaching staff.

In the area of innovation:

• development of innovative activities in education and science;
• creation of the environment of innovation.

In the area of service to the society:

• development of human capital to improve the quality of life in the region;
• development of regional youth policy.

 

The following mechanisms are defined in the VEPI development strategy to solve the set strategic tasks:

• creation of an Institute management system adequate to the goals set, based on modern quality management technologies;
• modernization of the multilevel education system at the Institute within of common educational space;
• development of the Institute’s staff potential and creation of conditions for the professional and personal growth of academic and teaching staff;
• ensuring, based on the integration of science and education, effective partnership with the business community, commercialization of scientific research, and transfer of innovative technologies into the economy;
• implementation of projects for the development of network interaction of the Institute, including with foreign partners, aimed at the internationalization of scientific and educational services.

• VEPI is a competitive Institute with a full cycle of education, which is highly recognized in the region and provides quality training of qualified specialists.
• VEPI is a center of education, science, culture, and socially significant activity in the region.

To achieve the desired goal of transforming the Institute into a modern institution of higher education that meets all modern requirements, a set of activities and sequential changes in the Institute’s activities, consisting of four targeted activities, is defined:

• Development of the Institute’s management system.
• Development of social activities at the Institute.
• Creating conditions for scientific and innovative development of the Institute, integration of educational, scientific, and practical activities of teachers and students of the Institute.
• Increasing the role of social institutions in the management and financial support of VEPI.

The main directions of the Institute’s activities to implement strategic tasks (program):

• Development of educational activities.
• Development of supplementary education.
• Development of distance education.
• Development of scientific activities.
• Development of pedagogic activities.
• Development of innovation practices.
• Development of international activity.
• Development of informatization.
• Participation of the Institute in regional and federal programs. 

Organizational and legal support for educational activities:

Constitution of the Russian Federation, Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Federal Law «On Education in the Russian Federation» No. 273-FZ from 29.12.2012, the other legislative acts of the Russian Federation,  regulatory acts of the Voronezh region,  Statute of the Autonomous non-profit educational organization of higher education “VEPI”, Rules and Regulations of the Institute.

Registered address: 119a, Leninsky Avenue, Voronezh Region, Voronezh, 394033

 

VEPI has successfully passed a comprehensive inspection, once again confirming the quality of services provided:

• in 2019 by the Federal Agency for Supervision in Education and Science of the Russian Federation,
• in 2021 by the Directorate of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation for the Voronezh region.

• The License to carry out educational activities No. 2802 Series 90L01 № 0009907 from 31.01.2019 issued by the Federal Agency for Supervision in Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
• State Accreditation Certificate No. 3162 Series 90A01 No. 0003323 from 26.06.2019 issued by the Federal Agency for Supervision in Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

 

VEPI IN THE REGION:

The Voronezh Institute of Economics and Law has branches in the regions of the Central Federal District:

• 398055, 5 «b», Sergant Kuvshinov avenue, Lipetsk, Lipetsk region;
• 302038, 105, Razdolnaya St., Oryel, Oryel Region;
• 396650, 84, Proletarskaya St., Rossosh, Voronezh region;
• 309514, 59, Lenina St., Stary Oskol, Belgorod region.

The management of the Institute and its activities are governed by the legislation of the Russian Federation, the Statute of the Institute, with reference to which the management system of the university was formed.

The management of the Institute is based on a combination of the principles of one-man management and collegiality.

The Institute is governed by an elected representative body, the Board of Studies of the Institute, headed by the Chairman.

Currently, the Board of Studies of the Institute consists of the Rector (Chairman of the Board of Studies), Vice Rectors, deans, representatives of the academic teaching staff, heads of departments, and a representative of the student community. Among them, there are 95% of Candidates of Science and 20% of Doctors of Science. This list of the Board of Studies makes it possible to implement the statutory competency of the Board of Studies, to work out the principles of both strategic and operational management of the Institute.

 

Direct management of the Institute is carried out by the Rector, acting by the powers established by the Statute, as well as the acts of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

The Rector runs a collegial advisory body: the Rectorate, which includes the Vice Rectors and the heads of the Institute’s structural subdivisions.

Operational management becomes system-related through the dean’s offices of faculties and the structures of subdepartments.

High-quality training is provided by talented scientists and teachers. The Institute has a highly qualified academic teaching staff, capable of solving urgent problems associated with both the training of qualified specialists and with the implementation of scientific research. The qualifications of the academic teaching staff of the Institute correspond to the profile of academic disciplines of all relevant cycles, which are taught in the subdepartments.

 

The qualitative level of the academic teaching staff in the implemented programs generally meets the licensing rules and regulations. The number of teachers with academic degrees and titles on average in the departments is 64%. Faculty development plans include measures aimed at the systematic training of young teaching staff and improving their qualifications through postgraduate and doctoral studies.

 

The leading teachers of the Institute:

Abdalina L. V.         Doctor of Psychology, Professor

Akhmedov A. E.      Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor

Bogomolov A. N.    Ph.D. in Law, Associate Professor

Gavrilov S. T.          Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor

Galkin A. A.            Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor

Godovnikova A. M. Ph.D. in Law, Associate Professor

Kuzmenko N. I.       Ph.D. in Geography, Associate Professor

Kuksova I. V.          Doctor of Economics, Professor

Kurguzkina E. B.     Doctor of Laws, Professor

Lelekov V. A.          Doctor of Laws, Professor

Lukianenko IU. V.   PhD in Law, Associate Professor

Luneva N. A.           Ph.D. in Geography, Associate Professor

Okuneva E. O.         Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor

Panteleeeva O. O.    Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor

Polukhina O. P.       Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor

Smolianinova I. V.   Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor

Tkachenko E. S.       Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor

Tretiakov D. V.        Ph.D. in Philosophy, Associate Professor

SHelestov V. S.        Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor

Voronezh Institute of Economics and Law today is a modern licensed and accredited educational program, technologies, methods, recognized in Russia and abroad. These are conveniently located academic buildings, spacious classrooms, gyms, canteens, and cafeterias, these are modern computer labs equipped with the latest technology, modern licensed and freely distributable software, and Internet access.

 

The educational process is organized in buildings with a total area of more than 35,000 square meters.

Catering and medical care is provided for students and teaching staff of the Institute.

All facilities meet the requirements and have permits from the Federal Education and Science Supervision Service, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, and The State Fire Control Service to conduct educational activities.

 

TEACHING AND LEARNING WORK

Educational activities are carried out on 11 specialties of higher (bachelor, master) and secondary vocational education.

There are more than 3,000 students at VEPI.

The Institute has intramural, extramural, intra-extramural forms of study. E-learning and distance learning technologies are used in the implementation of educational programs.

 

In addition to educational programs of vocational education in VEPI, supplementary vocational programs — professional improvement programs, professional retraining programs (Appendix 2) are implemented. Professional improvement programs are designed to improve or acquire new competencies needed for professional activities or to increase the professional level within an existing qualification. Professional retraining programs are aimed at obtaining the competence necessary to perform a new type of professional activity and acquire a new qualification.

 

QUALITY SYSTEM IN THE INSTITUTE

The creation in the Institute of a stable, reliably functioning quality system that meets modern requirements was determined by the overall development of the Institute, close ties with consumers, and the need to implement the requirements of the Bologna Declaration.

Based on its own experience and the experience of leading Russian universities in this area, the Institute is developing a quality system model that is based on the requirements of:

— GOST R ISO 9000-2015 standard;

— standards and guidelines for quality assurance in higher education in the European region, developed by the European Network (Association) for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

Voronezh Institute of Economics and Law, as a modern university, is moving to a new concept of implementation of training based on the integration of the educational process and research, as well as the intensification of the use of the most modern educational technologies. The new concept involves the modernization of the very structure of teachers’ activity, intensification of the use of electronic educational resources, and the transition from classroom lessons in the traditional format to the format of modern educational work.

 

The new format involves the implementation of the learning process through scientific research, involving students in the research process and thus improving the quality of their training through the use of active «problem» formats of knowledge acquisition and synthesis of new scientific results.

 

The infrastructure of research activities of the Institute is represented by established research teams, such as research schools, research, and scientific-methodological laboratories, museum, innovative platforms based on departments and branches.

 

The scientific activities of the Institute are conducted in priority research areas, the most important of which are theoretical and empirical studies of the problems of interaction and integration in the education system.

 

Research activities of the Institute within the framework of a single theme of scientific research are carried out based on 5 scientific schools:

— Economic-mathematical and computer modeling of decision-making processes in conditions of innovative development.

— The use of accounting and analytical function in the formation of a financial mechanism for sustainable development of organizations.

— Formation and development of the mechanism for the protection of individual rights and freedoms: civil, administrative, and criminal law aspects.

— Professional formation and personal development of psychology students at different stages of education.

— Ensuring effective management of socio-economic systems in conditions of innovative development.

 

Recently, the general line of work of the Institute has become research and developments, which have a good prospect of innovative projects for implementation in various sectors of the economy, so close attention is paid to scientific research in areas with, above all, a practical future. Thus, the current priorities for the development of the Institute are:

— theoretical and applied problems of entrepreneurial development;

— monitoring and diagnostics of financial sustainability in the multilevel educational complex «School — Technical School — Institute — Enterprise»;

— legal support of the administrative reform and local government reform in the Russian Federation at the present stage;

— methods of information technology and systems in the process of vertical integration of educational organizations.

Currently, the Institute is confidently positioning itself as a successful competitive organization with a significant share of scientific activity, the results of which allow us to positively assess the prospects for further development of the Institute in the interests of the country’s economy.

The purpose of the international cooperation of VEPI is to intensify international activities, ensure the participation of the Institute in foreign educational programs, international associations for cooperation with foreign universities.

 

One of the key factors for the functioning of the Institute in the context of the ideas of the Bologna Process is a high level of academic mobility of students and teachers, i.e. the opportunity to get acquainted directly with the educational practices of other countries, to participate in research and international projects. In particular, VEPI teachers and staff annually take job training in European universities, as well as participate as trainees in advanced training courses conducted by foreign teachers based on VEPI in Voronezh.

 

VEPI has extensive experience in international cooperation in the field of science and education:

— VEPI’s first foreign partner was Longwood University in Virginia, USA. Later, cooperation agreements were signed with the University of Virginia at Richmond, the state capital, and Richard Bland College in Pittsburgh.

 

— VEPI also has extensive ties with universities in Eastern and Central Europe. Cooperation agreements have been signed with Belgrade University (Serbia), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and Western University of Timisoara (Romania).

 

— Numerous international scientific and practical conferences are held in Voronezh based on VEPI. Within the framework of educational and scientific relations VEPI teachers worked in partner universities in Poland, Romania, Serbia, Germany, France, Portugal, and the United States. Foreign teachers from 8 countries — the USA, Canada, Japan, Italy, Germany, Serbia, Great Britain, and France — had job training and worked at VEPI.

 

— VEPI is especially proud of its participation in two major international programs with the participation of leading European universities:

1. Joint European Project (JEP) under the European Commission’s TEMPUS program: JEP-24101-2003: La gouvernance Universitaire en economie de transition (JEP: «Management of Higher Education Institutions in a Transition Economy»). The consortium, together with VEPI (coordinator of the joint European project), includes the University of Toulon and Var from France (leading partner), the University of Verona (Italy), the University of Oviedo (Spain), and the University of Paisley (Glasgow, Scotland).
2. European Commission Joint European TEMPUS Project: JEP-2030-2006 (Professional Quality Management for a New Economy). In the new project, the Spanish University of Oviedo became the grant holder representing the European Commission in the consortium, and the universities of Toulon (France), Verona (Italy), and Paisley (Scotland) became foreign participants, while the Russian side is coordinated by VEPI. It should be noted that VEPI is the only Russian non-state institution of higher education that has twice become a coordinator of joint European projects under the Tempus program, and the retention of the second project of previous foreign participants in the consortium demonstrates the high degree of confidence of European universities in the professional level of the Institute.

In general, the international activities of the Institute are aimed at ensuring its integration into the international higher education community, obtaining additional opportunities for accelerated development within the framework:

— academic exchange programs for students;

— teacher exchange programs;

— creating joint educational programs;

— exchange of educational products;

— participation in joint research grants;

Priority areas of international cooperation are:

— planning and organization of international cooperation with educational institutions, organizations of foreign countries within the framework of signed agreements and treaties on cooperation;

— study of the needs of the educational services market and search for potential customers for training on a contractual basis;

— development and coordination of draft contracts with foreign and Russian partners (universities, foundations, associations), private stakeholders in the framework of international activities;

— coordination of activities of departments and divisions of the Institute in the planning and organization of events in the framework of international cooperation;

— activities within the framework of exchange programs for students and teachers with foreign general educational institutions (study, job training, work);

— research activities (comprehensive support of research activities within the university structures in the following areas: international activities, scientific contacts of teaching staff with foreign colleagues, scientific exchanges and job trainings, participation in international scientific programs; conferences, seminars, job training in the near and far abroad countries);

— coordinate the timing of admission of foreign specialists, delegations, and students, and draw up admission programs for them;

— participation in international programs (including charitable, volunteer, etc.);

— information, reference, and advertising support of educational activities and international cooperation abroad (development of promotional, reference, information products, and their distribution to enhance the educational activities of VEPI);

The Institute traditionally initiates many international events based on VEPI, the consequence of which is the expansion of the presence of the university in the regional and international public and information areas.

International cooperation in education and science is carried out within the framework of international agreements concluded by the Voronezh Institute of Economics and Law with foreign scientific and educational institutions and organizations. VEPI representatives are the part of some public and political initiatives with international participation.

 

Today the Institute maintains international scientific and educational relations with numerous foreign partners (universities, institutes, research and production centers, international organizations). During 2020, despite the difficult political situation, academic, educational, and scientific cooperation with foreign partners continued.

A special place in the international relations of the Institute is traditionally occupied by partners from foreign countries. Relations with partners include a wide range of possible forms of cooperation, such as exchanges of students and teachers, implementation of joint educational and double degree programs, organization and holding of international conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and concerts, as well as the participation of specialists in similar events abroad, joint publications of scientific, methodical and educational literature.

Thus, there is a constant expansion of new forms of international activities: increased academic mobility, international accreditation of educational programs, development and implementation of dual degree programs, increased amount of joint research with foreign partners, etc. It can be stated that the international component in the activities of the Institute is increasing and has a significant impact on the quality of educational services and research activities, as well as determines the place of the Institute in the system of rankings.

Professional improvement of scientific, pedagogical, and administrative staff abroad

During the existence of the Institute 14 teachers and employees of VEPI passed internships in European universities, as well as participated as trainees in advanced training courses held by foreign teachers based on VEPI in Voronezh:

2005: Spain, University of Oviedo (5 people)

2006: France, University of Toulon (2 people)

2007: Scotland, Paisley University (5 people)

2008 (May-June), Voronezh (VEPI): 12 teachers and employees of the Institute participated in advanced training courses in quality management and received international certificates

2008 (June-July): Spain, the University of Oviedo (5 people received international certificates)

2008: (September): Italy, University of Verona (1 person)

The Center for Employment, Social Policy and Work with Social Partners is part of the structure of the Institute and works to:

— providing effective assistance in planning professional career strategy and adapting to the labor market;

— formation of a set of measures aimed at the effective promotion of employment of graduates by the qualification obtained.

 

The main tasks of employment, social policy, and work with social partners are:

— Providing employment assistance to graduates based on the opportunities and needs of the labor market;

— Organization of internships for students to adapt future professionals in the workplace;

— Organization of temporary employment for students to gain work experience and improve skills for successful employment;

— The search for effective mechanisms of social partnership for the employment of graduates;

— Increasing the level of competitiveness of graduates of the Institute in the labor market in the region;

— Forming a bank of vacancies offered by employers in areas of training and specialties of the Institute;

— Informing graduates about vacancies to maximize their employment opportunities.

 

How are our graduates faring, where do they work, what achievements have they made?

Monitoring of employment, which is constantly conducted by the Center for Employment, Social Policy, and Work with Social Partners, shows that VEPI graduates are in demand in the labor market.

The individualized educational trajectory provided to each student makes it possible to combine study and work. Therefore, as a rule, trainees have the opportunity to be employed during their studies on a part-time basis and, as a consequence, to get a permanent job even before graduation. The average salary of a VEPI graduate corresponds to the average salary in the region.

Today we can confidently note that VEPI has a mechanism in place that allows graduates of the Institute to find employment in the labor market on terms that interest them.

 

 

Assisting in the employment of students and graduates is one of the priority areas of the Institute. VEPI was certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (employers) for its contribution to the training of a new generation of professionals and effective partnership with business.

VEPI is constantly working on cooperation with specialized organizations for practical training of students, their part-time employment, as well as the possibility of their further employment after graduation from the Institute.

Educational and extracurricular activity at the university develops by annual comprehensive plans for extracurricular and educational work in the areas:

• Vocational and labor education
• Patriotic education
• Spiritual and moral education
• Cultural and Mass Work and Aesthetic Education
• Sports and Recreation and Healthy Lifestyle

Student government and Institute administration are two systems of VEPI management, mutually complementing each other and cooperating closely at all levels to most effectively achieve their goals.

The Student Council consists of 31 members who are responsible for various areas of work. Of these, 16 people represent the Student Councils of faculties, 15 people — the Student Council of the Institute. Under the control of Student Councils, there are student group leaders (more than 70 people), assistant curators (19 students), leaders and participants in creative and sports clubs (more than 100 people), participants in the volunteer legal center (20 people).

About 100 events are held annually by the Student Council. Of these, 60 are intramural and 40 are the city, district, and regional. A total of over 1,000 students were involved in Student Council activities.

The hobby clubs are popular among the students:

— Vocal and instrumental club;

— Dance club;

— Comedy and Drama Club

The Institute has a social and psychological support service.

During the existence of the social and psychological support service (since February 2008), 250 appeals have been registered.

Each year the Institute’s sports club holds 25 sporting events as part of the VEPI, which was attended by 1200 full-time students.

Sectional work on competitive sports: mini-football, volleyball, basketball was organized in the Institute. At the moment 150 students are engaged in the sports sections of VEPI.

First-year students undergo annual medical examinations by medical specialists in September. Along with a report on the general state of health, each freshman receives the recommendations of sports doctors about the possibility to be engaged in a particular sports section or taking physical education classes in special groups.

 

Appendix 1

Educational programs, fields of study, and specialties

(by the groups of specialties)

 

Secondary Vocational Education Programs

Higher Vocational Education Programs

Postgraduate Studies Education Programs (Postgraduate Training Program)

 

 

 

including:

Educational programs, fields of study, and specialties

 

 

Appendix 2

Supplementary Educational Program

 

including:

Supplementary Educational Programs

 

 

Appendix 3

 

List of enterprises (organizations) — employers