Russia

For the first time, student loans will be made available in Russia. The country’s largest bank has agreed to lend money to students that will cover up to 70 percent of university fees. The loans will be repayable throughout the 10 years after graduation.

Under the existing system, students who obtain high scores on their entrance exams have their college education paid for by the government; those who fail can enter universities as long as they pay their own fees.

The loans will be targeted toward the growing number of self-financing students who get no support from the state. Long-term loans at low interest rates will prevent students from going into debt, said the acting minister of education who supports the proposal.

The decision to introduce student loans marks a significant departure from the concept of free education that was so central in the former Soviet Union.

— BBC News
July 26, 2000

Despite the ongoing conflict between rebels and federal forces, the Russian ministry of education has reopened three universities in the Chechen capital Grozny. Now that most of the fighting has moved out of the capital, the Russian government is attempting to normalize education there.

The Chechen State University, the Chechen Pedagogical Institute and the Grozny Oil Institute all welcomed students back last fall. During the previous summer the schools attempted — with varying degrees of success — to conduct impromptu tutorials and distance-learning courses to provide students with a skeleton program of classes.

It is not yet clear exactly how many students re-enrolled at these schools, but professors seemed confident that the number would return to normal once people realize that it’s safe to come back. Last year the Russian education minister attempted to lure Chechen students to universities in Moscow with the promise of free places. Although 350 places were made available, only 14 accepted the offer.

— Times Higher Education Supplement
Oct. 6, 2000