On February 11, 2026, Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, took part in a meeting dedicated to the development of a new nationwide economics textbook. The meeting was held at the Fundamental Library of Lomonosov Moscow State University and chaired by MSU Rector and Academician Viktor Sadovnichy.
The discussion included a distinguished group of participants:
- Valery Fadeev, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation,
- Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia,
- Alexander Auzan, Chair of the Federal Educational and Methodological Association for Economics and Dean of MSU’s Faculty of Economics,
- Andrey Loginov, Rector of the Russian State University for the Humanities,
- Igor Maksimtsev, Rector of Saint Petersburg State University of Economics,
- Alexey Komissarov, Rector of the Presidential Academy,
- Representatives from the Higher School of Economics (HSE) and MGIMO University.
Opening the meeting, Academician Viktor Sadovnichy emphasized the importance of creating a domestic economics textbook aligned with Russia’s development goals, drawing on the best Russian and international academic research.
Valery Fadeev highlighted the ideological and value-based context for the project, noting that economics should be taught through the lens of Joseph Schumpeter’s approach — combining theory, history, and statistics. He also reminded that in 2025, teams from the Russian State University for the Humanities, Saint Petersburg State University, and the Financial University had already developed a preliminary economics textbook in an essay format for students outside of economics, which will serve as the foundation for the full textbook.
Olga Petrova emphasized that the Ministry sees this new textbook as part of the broader government policy on education and worldview formation. According to her, the economics textbook for non-specialist students should integrate naturally with the course “Foundations of Russian Statehood” and take into account Presidential Decree No. 809.
Alexander Auzan, Chair of the educational association, stressed that the Federal Educational and Methodological Association will act as the key platform for methodological coordination and expert evaluation. He underlined the need to develop a comprehensive educational-methodological package, including course programs, assessment tools, and practical modules.
Rector Stanislav Prokofiev expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Russian State University for the Humanities for inviting the Financial University to participate in the 2025 preparatory work. He confirmed the Financial University’s readiness to continue contributing to the development of the new nationwide economics textbook. Rector Prokofiev placed special emphasis on training and professional development for instructors who will teach the course based on the new textbook. “The Financial University has extensive scientific and methodological expertise and the authority to develop its own educational standards, enabling us to partner with leading academic institutions across the country in creating a textbook intended for wide use in higher education,” he noted.
Pavel Seleznev, Dean of the Faculty of International Economic Relations, has been appointed as the project coordinator from the Financial University’s side.
The meeting concluded that the textbook development will be coordinated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, supported methodologically by the Federal Educational and Methodological Association, and involve the country’s top universities. The Financial University will be one of the key partners in this important initiative.
