30.04.2022 // Development of the Arctic region is one of Russia's key priorities. However, breakthrough technologies and equipment alone are not enough to achieve this goal. The country needs skilled workforce. The Arctic sets a very high bar for everything, including knowledge and skill. There are several establishments in Russia that produce such specialists.

Northern Arctic Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (NAFU) in Arkhangelsk has the biggest number of programmes dedicated to the study of the Far North. Its students can major in hydrometeorology, ecology, biology, geography, geology, chemistry and international law. The educational process consists of both lectures and practical classes in real research centres. At the end of the academic year, the best students go on an educational expedition to the northern seas on the Professor Molchanov vessel. Since 2012, the Arctic Floating University project, which is supported by Roshydromet and the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), provides a unique opportunity to acquire relevant knowledge and skills in real Arctic conditions.

NAFU's closest competitor in terms of the number of Arctic programmes is M. K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) in Yakutia. It has developed unique curriculums that cover several disciplines at once. They allow students to get a comprehensive view of the Arctic's economy, history, culture and politics. This allows students to better understand the enormous importance of this region for the whole planet. Both NAFU and NEFU produce specialists that help to preserve the culture of the indigenous peoples of the North, such as animal technicians and reindeer breeders.

Tomsk State University (TSU) specialises in the study of Arctic environment and climate change in high latitudes. Its incomplete list of programmes includes bog study, hydrology, climatology, geomorphology, natural environment research methods and research station management.

Murmansk State Technical University also has its own Arctic curriculum. This university produces specialists in aquatic bioresources and fisheries of the Arctic region, i.e. future hydrobiologists, ichthyologists and fish farmers.

Since 2016, students of St. Petersburg University can get an international master's degree in Integrated Polar Environment Studies. Classes are held at the Institute of Earth Sciences.

The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) is the undisputed leader in producing foreign policy and international law specialists. They are very much needed in the Arctic, a region with numerous unresolved political issues where Russia has to defend its legitimate interests every day. MGIMO has master's programmes for students who are interested in Arctic issues.