"Record-Breaking Engineering Olympiad in 2025, Zvezda Event Attracts Most Widespread Participation and Geographical Coverage"
The 2024/25 academic year witnessed a growing interest in engineering among Russian students, as the number of participants in the multidisciplinary "Zvezda" Engineering Olympiad surged by 27%, totaling 580,963 students. Over 77,000 student competitors advanced to the finals, with 7,639 being crowned winners and runners-up, setting a new record for the largest non-state engineering Olympiad in the country.
The "Zvezda" Olympiad, an initiative by the Russian Engineering Union, has significantly impacted the Russian education system since its debut in 2015, focusing on nurturing engineering and scientific skills in middle and high school students.
The competition, supported by state corporations like Rostec and the Kalashnikov Group, offers early engagement with engineering and scientific research for young minds, fostering talent in these fields. Winners receive scholarship opportunities, and graduates from related engineering classes benefit from admission to over 140 partner universities associated with Rostec.
The Voronezh regional branch of the Russian Engineering Union, headed by Elena Georgieva, the Chairman of the Board of Novikom Bank, plays a crucial role in promoting engineering education in the region. The branch facilitates the participation of schoolchildren in the Olympiad and annually participates in the award ceremony for winners and runners-up, emphasizing the importance of career guidance and supporting talented youth.
Vladimir Gutenev, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Engineering Union and Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade, acknowledged the Olympiad's significant impact, stating that it nurtures the country's engineering reserve - motivated, trained candidates with a focus on their future profession. Mr. Gutenev also highlighted the growing international recognition of the event, with students from countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Mongolia, Vietnam, Central Asian republics, South Ossetia, and Georgia participating in the current cycle.
Looking ahead, next season will witness a modernization phase for the Olympiad, with a focus on increasing task difficulty and expanding the scope of disciplines, particularly in mathematics and natural sciences. The "Zvezda" Engineering Olympiad continues to serve as a crucial element in Russia's efforts to promote STEM education and foster a future generation of engineers.
What role does the "Zvezda" Engineering Olympiad play in the Russian education system and science? It serves as a crucial element in Russia's efforts to nurture engineering and scientific skills in middle and high school students, offering learning opportunities that encourage early engagement with these fields, and providing a platform for education-and-self-development in the disciplines of mathematics and natural sciences.
