№ 4 (66) (2024)

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Moscow Metropolitan Governance Yury Luzhkov University, a unique institution blending the characteristics of a traditional university with those of a corporate university. For three decades, the University has cultivated managerial talent for Moscow’s organizations. Its practice-oriented curriculum actively integrates students into the city’s governance, providing opportunities for participation in real-world projects and internships within the City of Moscow government structures. For its students the University organizes site visits to city infrastructure projects and leverages instruction from active, practicing executives. Further emphasizing continuous professional development, the University offers a wide range of regularly updated programs for advanced training and professional development, specifically tailored to employees within the Moscow government’s sphere of influence. Today, the University functions as an educational institution, a research and educational consulting center, and an innovative platform for interaction and knowledge exchange among professionals in the field of public administration.

The development strategy and the plan for a large-scale transformation of the higher education complex of Moscow Metropolitan Governance Yury Luzhkov University are being finalized. The article offers key principles of the change for discussion. The combination of utmost practical orientation and scientific foundations of educational courses ensures the promptitude of specialists to respond tomorrow’s challenges. Traditional values of our country and city, focus on the interests and needs of the city’s residents, respect for the individuality of the teacher and student are the basic conditions for the university development. Love for the city, goal-setting and responsibility, team unity and personal effectiveness, professionalism, initiative and openness to new things are fundamental for the university paradigm.

Managing a megacity is a complex, multifaceted process that requires the coordination of numerous diverse services to ensure the comfort and safety of its residents. By employing methods of graph topology and game theory, a mathematical model can be constructed to represent decision-making processes within city management. This framework serves as a foundation for subsequent simulation modeling, offering practical applications in urban administration. Such models can be employed for evaluation and monitoring purposes to enhance the effectiveness of the City of Moscow Government’s operations. When developing these mathematical models, it is crucial to incorporate decisions made not only by the executive branch but also by the legislative body.

The past decade has witnessed significant changes impacting all aspects of Moscow’s educational institutions. School administrations now face expanded responsibilities, and leaders of educational complexes grapple with increasingly complex challenges. The City of Moscow Department of Education and Science commissioned the development of a specialized professional development program for educational leaders. Working collaboratively with the Department and relevant industry practitioners, Moscow Metropolitan Governance Yury Luzhkov University and the HR Services Department crafted the MPA in “Educational Leadership” program. This program aims to enhance the leadership and management skills of directors in Moscow’s schools, colleges, and creative centers.

From August 1st to September 8th, 2024, Moscow hosted the “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030” forum-festival. Over 30 flagship venues daily welcomed Muscovites and tourists to showcase achievements in economics, transportation, culture, education, sports, and outline the city’s development, technologies, and future vision. The “Ladder to the Future” pavilion, operated by the Moscow Government’s HR Services Department, was located in Gorky Park. Visitors could learn about all stages of a career path within the Moscow Government, from internships and interviews to the implementation of projects in the city of the future.

The “Mastering Interaction” program, a unique professional development initiative for executive assistants and secretaries in the Moscow Government, has completed its latest cycle. Developed by HR Services Department, this two-tiered program significantly enhances professional skills. The core level focuses on practical training in communication, office protocols, meeting management, scheduling, stress management, leadership presence, professional image, and emotional intelligence (using VR technology). The advanced level caters to experienced assistants, delving into personality types, conflict resolution, communication strategies, and professional motivation. A new introductory level, featuring a user-friendly chatbot, will be added in the next session for new hires. The program fosters a supportive learning environment, incorporating gamification and VR for optimal results. Graduates join a network for ongoing professional development and networking.

In 2022, the Moscow Metropolitan Governance Yury Luzhkov University updated its highly successful Master’s program “Strategic Human Resource Management.” The HR projet prepares human resources professionals to meet the evolving needs of organizations within the Moscow Government structure. The University has been implementing this master’s program for the last several years. The project boasts significant potential for developing cutting-edge competencies among personnel management staff in executive agencies and affiliated organizations under the Moscow Government. Graduates substantially enhance their professional knowledge and skills. The curriculum continually evolves to address contemporary challenges and labor market demands. Participants have access to all educational resources provided by HR Services Department of Moscow Government. Furthermore, the program now includes Moscow Government-funded grant opportunities.

The annual “XXI Century Metropolis – a City to Live in” Contest, organized by Moscow Metropolitan Governance Yury Luzhkov University, actively engages Moscow and Moscow region secondary school and college students in research and project creation focused on city development. This initiative serves as a platform for innovative ideas aimed at enhancing the city’s infrastructure and quality of life, aligning with Moscow’s key developmental priorities and exploring future urban landscapes. The competition showcases a significant number of groundbreaking proposals. Future plans include expanding the competition’s reach nationwide, maximizing youth potential and leveraging innovative solutions for enhancing urban environments across Russia.