JSC Firm "August", a Russian manufacturer of plant protection products, has equipped four branded classrooms in specialized universities. This is an auditorium of digital technologies in crop production for the Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University (SAU), an auditorium for integrated plant protection at the Michurinsk State Agrarian University, a laboratory of plant protection products at the Bashkir State Agrarian University, and a phytopathology laboratory for the Grodno State Agrarian University in the Republic of Belarus.
Now the laboratory premises are equipped with modern multimedia equipment, which allows the introduction of distance education technologies, achieving a new level of visibility when studying certain objects, communicating directly with practicing specialists and studying advanced techniques in the field of crop production and plant protection.
At the beginning of March 2023, a proprietary laboratory of plant protection products of the August company was opened at the Bashkir State Agrarian University in Ufa. For a new audience, the Faculty of Agricultural Technologies and Forestry, together with the University Competence Center, has developed educational modules on plant protection. As part of the public-private partnership, August financed renovations and the purchase of new furniture and equipment. Multimedia technology for video conferencing and consultations, teaching aids, as well as tablets with Augusta mobile applications have appeared in the modern educational environment. Students use gadgets during theoretical classes, during scientific work and during practical training.
At the end of May, with the financial support of the August company, a new phytopathology laboratory was opened at the Grodno State Agrarian University. Its creation was carried out by university graduates - employees of “August” in Belarus. A TV, laptop, electron microscope, air conditioning, furniture and stands were purchased for the laboratory.
“In our organization, a significant part of the team comes from this university,” comments Ivan Yatskevich, head of the technological department of the August Trading House in the republic. – This suggests that the university provides a high level of training. It will be even more pleasant to acquire knowledge in a modern and beautiful classroom.
A new auditorium for integrated plant protection at the State Agrarian University in the science city of Michurinsk, Tambov region, began work in September. The room is equipped with the latest multimedia equipment, a computer, a controlled camera and sound speakers, which makes it possible to demonstrate to students the necessary presentations, photo and video materials, as well as organize distance learning, conduct interactive classes and seminars. In order to strengthen the laboratory base, representatives of “August” handed over a digital microscope to a new audience, which will allow students to study in more detail and more accurately identify harmful objects that cause damage to crops.
A new audience for digital technologies in crop production at Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University was opened in October. The August company carried out a major renovation of the premises, equipped the classroom with modern furniture and installed 13 computers, as well as a variety of multimedia equipment. Cooperation between “August” and the university has lasted for two decades. So, in 2017, the company also provided assistance in renovating the premises.
As noted in the personnel management directorate of the August company, the annual opening of corporate classrooms in agricultural universities indicates, first of all, the growing importance for the company of partnerships with educational institutions. Suffice it to say that with the advent of August’s own large crop-growing farms and modern high-tech livestock farms, the company has seriously expanded its base for organizing practical training for students. It is significant that the percentage of hiring university graduates who completed internships at the enterprises of the August group of companies is growing every year.
“Our needs for young specialists are very high,” says Roza Sukhorukova, HR Director of JSC Firm “August”. – This is affected by both the natural trend of aging workers and the emerging need to form a personnel reserve from among young people, as well as the general situation for the country of personnel shortages, which is being talked about a lot now. “August” is the largest company in the industry, which has accumulated vast experience in plant protection technologies, and we are ready to share it with students. Opening classrooms is about creating a beautiful, functional and useful space in which students will build their knowledge and learn in the atmosphere of their future profession. This is also one of the forms of mutually beneficial relations with universities, our investment in their training of highly qualified specialists for the Russian agro-industrial complex. In the future, we plan to work even more closely with universities, develop the training of bachelors and masters in targeted training programs, increase the number of places for student internships, and strengthen career guidance work with schoolchildren, showing them opportunities for building a career in agribusiness.
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