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Not everything can be done online…

After the COVID pandemic, our world changed: we began doing many things remotely, online, virtually—call it whatever you like, the essence remains the same. Technology was meant to bring us together, but in reality we became even more disconnected.

As you know, I am studying management on RANEPA’s master’s programme. I have already written about the calibre of lecturers who teach our classes and run seminars. Unfortunately, most of those sessions also take place online.

This academic year, the academy decided to change its attitude to learning in general and remote study in particular. Several orders were issued to tighten the rules for those who used remote work as an excuse to, shall we say, take it easy. For example, first-year students in our programme will study exclusively in person from this year.

We felt the changes immediately after the first day of school: without any warm-up, we plunged into active seminars and lectures. Even though it was our final semester… What is more, it was announced that our group would also attend classes in person once a week.

To be honest, I am even pleased about this. Over the past two years of study, my classmates and I have met so rarely that the few conferences where we spoke together can literally be counted on one hand.

In-person meetings give us a chance to meet interesting people, test ideas against them, and cross-pollinate ideas. I have already written about this.

I visited the academy this week with great pleasure, and I will continue to do so.