The Corporate University of Russian Railways is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Over the years, it has become a vital part of the railway education system, evolving in step with the Russian Railways and providing educational support for achieving the company's strategic goals. To mark this occasion, the head of the holding, Oleg Belozerov, met with the University team on July 3.

The Corporate University is an internal, modern, international-level business school. Its effectiveness is recognized not only within the railway industry but also by professional communities across Russia and worldwide.

These achievements were highlighted by Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Board of JSC Russian Railways.

"The entire Russian Railways team is proud of our Corporate University, which was once named the best corporate university in the world. Such results demand not just hard work, but a genuine devotion to the cause. For this, I extend special thanks to the management, team, and faculty: you provide your attendees—our railway employees — with the opportunity to reflect, gain insights, and consistently generate new, truly interesting and original ideas," emphasized Oleg Belozerov. "Thousands of the Company's leaders and specialists have studied at the Corporate University, the unique educational programmes have been implemented. The University has become a hub for breakthrough technologies and new ideas."

Roman Baskin, Director of the Corporate University, emphasized that the core principles the University team strives to share with the students are: to look to the future and to fearlessly embrace imagination, invention, and creativity.

"I thank the management of the Russian Railways, colleagues from the social and HR unit, and the HR Department for their long-standing support and trust. Our community of attendees now unites tens of thousands of railway employees from Primorsky Krai to Kaliningrad, as well as beyond Russian borders. There are also key partners outside the holding among our students. We find it truly engaging to work together in these integrated teams, which deliver real value to the industry and the country. That's why we tackle any challenge, even those that initially seem insurmountable," noted Roman Baskin. "As we mark this 15-year milestone, I see it not as an age, but as a journey. A great many tasks lie ahead, and we are ready to take on new projects with passion and devotion to the railways of Russia."

According to Nikolay Steblyansky, who headed the Corporate University from 2010 to 2016, its team of staff and faculty can overcome any challenge.

"When we established the Corporate University, we couldn't have imagined what it would become by 2025. Yet, the journey has been a success: in 2012, we became the best in Russia and immediately set our sights on becoming the best in the world—a goal we also achieved. I am confident that thanks to this professional team, the University will achieve even more victories in the future," said Nikolay Steblyansky. Oleg Belozerov presented the University members ministerial and corporate awards. The employees were also honored with the awards and letters of gratitude from deputy general directors and heads of company branches (the full list of awardees is available on the Gudok.ru website).

The University Today

Evolving to meet the demands of the time, the University continues to focus on its core mission: developing leaders and building the talent pool capable of solving the industry's strategic challenges. Its educational programmes now cover diverse employee groups: managers from senior executives to line supervisors, high-potential specialists, and young talent. The University also provide learning to railway professionals from friendly countries through comprehensive programmes and technological visits to the Russian Railways facilities.

"Today, when the Company's performance directly depends on the management competencies, the Corporate University's role extends beyond mere training. It has become an integral part of the holding's leadership development system, cultivating managers who make sound strategic decisions, adapt flexibly to new demands, and inspire their teams," said Evgeny Braulov, Head of the HR Department at JSC Russian Railways.

The University team plays an active role in implementing Russian Railways youth policy and has assessed the managerial competencies of leaders from all railway branches since its first year of operation. Over 15 years, the University has built a rich ecosystem of partnerships, including railway universities, academic institutions, business schools, members of Russian corporate learning leadership community, and industry education associations.

Educational Tracks

The University currently runs over 300 programmes and projects. Their design emphasizes a balance between developing leadership competencies, personal qualities, and updating professional knowledge. Offerings include comprehensive educational solutions (e.g., a talent development system, including "Corporate MBA") and initiatives tailored to specific Russian Railways verticals (e.g., "Traffic Management Academy," "Business Analytics," and strategic workshops).

The "Professional Plus" project, launched in 2024, has proven effective for developing practical, hands-on skills. Its first participants were managers from the traffic management and track maintenance units. Plans are underway to expand the project to other areas, including the traction and signaling.

The University portfolio also features short-term programmes from the "Skills Laboratory" and operational efficiency courses ("Digital Transformation," "Process-Based Performance Improvement", "Lean Manufacturing," "Safety Management," and others). A programme of reciprocal technological visits for railway management teams at transport hubs and industrial companies across Russia is also expanding. This facilitates valuable experience sharing, the study of engineering solutions, and the local implementation of effective technologies.

The team at the Corporate University of Russian Railways continues to refine existing formats and pioneer new ones for developing railway industry leaders, maintaining a crucial balance between management skills, professional expertise, and personal qualities to meet modern challenges in an era of rapid technological change.

Photo: press service of JSC Russian Railways
This article was published by the editorial board of the Gudok newspaper.