University Development Strategy: Sociological Aspect

Students are active participants in the educational process. The events of recent years have affected seriously the activities of the University. The authors conducted a sociological study in 2 areas: the pandemic situation and its impact on the educational process; strategic direction of the university development. The article presents the results of a sociological study of students of Baikal State University (BSU) with a detailed description of issues related to satisfaction with the educational process, including the use of an online study mode. A set of issues related to the proposals of students on the strategy for the development of the university is considered. Students are satisfied with the education in general and in the relevant areas, as well as the high quality of training specialists at BSU. Objective and subjective difficulties encountered by students when switching to online learning are analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of distance learning according to respondents are described. The examples of the responses are given, the grouping of which allows to adjust the direction of the university development. Social aspects of communication of students with teachers and employees are distinguished. It was concluded that students of BSU have preferences for obtaining applied education as well as oriented to the development of modern professional skills. The results of sociological research influence the formation of new approaches to learning and the development direction of the university, in general.