JSC Firm "August" is opening enrollment for the second stream of targeted master's programs in the program "Integrated Plant Protection". The training is conducted at the St. Petersburg State Agrarian University (SAU) and is fully paid for by the company. Master's students are paid a monthly stipend of up to 25 thousand rubles and are provided with housing. Graduates of the targeted master's program receive a guaranteed employment opportunity at the Augusta Research Center (SRC), which has no analogues in Russia in terms of scale and level of equipment in its field. The Research Center is being created as the only scientific center in the country today in the field of plant protection products with a full cycle of research, including the development of formulations, synthesis of active ingredients, laboratory and field testing of drugs. The opening of the center is planned at the end of 2024 – beginning of 2025. Its employees will be experienced specialists from Augusta, as well as beginning researchers, including graduates of the company’s targeted master’s program.
“Targeted training in the Augusta master's program is implemented in accordance with the requirements of current regulatory documents governing the organization of this form of education in Russia. The training is carried out for two years, the company assumes obligations to the undergraduates to pay scholarships, provide housing, and employment, in accordance with the terms of the agreement on targeted training. The program “Integrated Plant Protection” was compiled by the teaching staff of St. Petersburg State Agrarian University in accordance with federal state educational standards of higher education, but at the same time takes into account the specifics of the professional activities of master’s degree graduates at the Augusta scientific center. It was developed taking into account the objectives of the scientific and technological development of the company and involves the training of unique specialized specialists who will be able to conduct comprehensive research work in the field of plant protection using the production facilities and advanced technological infrastructure of the Scientific Research Center,” notes the HR Director of JSC Firm “August” Rosa Sukhorukova.
The target master's program "Augusta" was opened on the basis of St. Petersburg State Agrarian University in September 2023. The plans for the 2024/2025 academic year are to attract up to 15 people to study in the second cohort. To this end, the company’s specialists are currently conducting presentations of the program at meetings with fourth-year bachelors of agricultural universities: to date, such events have taken place at St. Petersburg State Agrarian University, Kazan State Agrarian University, RGAU-Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K. A. Timiryazev.
The master's program provides full-time study with practical training at the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Protection and in the company's production departments - in particular, on the basis of the biological testing department and in the Augusta agricultural consulting laboratories. After the opening, the Research Center will become the main internship platform for future researchers, who, in turn, will have access to world-class technological infrastructure and equipment.
During the period of study, the company provides undergraduates with a monthly stipend - from 15 thousand to 25 thousand rubles, depending on academic performance, and office housing during the internship; the university provides a dormitory. A targeted agreement is concluded with the program participants, according to which upon completion of the master’s degree they will be employed at JSC Firm “August”.
Opening your own master's programs at partner universities is one of the effective ways to attract specialists from companies in the agrotechnical sector in conditions of an acute shortage of personnel in the industry. According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, today the domestic agro-industrial complex needs more than 200 thousand employees. The tasks of developing science and an innovative economy, ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country require the creation of high-tech production, including in the field of plant protection, which plays a vital role in ensuring the country's food security. The opening of the Research Center JSC Firm "August", equipped with the most modern equipment and carrying out a full cycle of research work, will become a significant link in this work and will provide opportunities for professional development for young scientists.
JSC Firm "August" is the only company on the domestic pesticide market that currently has a targeted master's degree. Its opening is part of August’s comprehensive work to attract young specialists, which involves creating the most competitive working conditions for professional personnel. In particular, graduates of the master's program - employees of the Research Center - will be provided not only with advanced production infrastructure, but also with social preferences, including housing.
“We are currently forming the future team of the scientific center from experienced and young specialists. And we are seeing great interest from candidates in new project areas of work and opportunities that will appear with the opening of the center. At the same time, we understand that maximum interest will arise after the launch of the Research Center, when it will be possible to see and evaluate workplaces, equipment and, in general, working conditions firsthand. Studying in the target master's program "Augusta" provides priority employment in a scientific center. The program is formed as a symbiosis of theoretical and practical training and guarantees a high level of knowledge. We are looking forward to ambitious young professionals to join our team!” – notes Roza Sukhorukova.
The contact person for questions about the criteria for admission to the target master's program and the conditions of the program is the head of the personnel management department of JSC Firm "August" Tatyana Pluzhnik, tel.: +7 (495) 787-08-03 (ext. 1714), e-mail: t .pluzhnik@avgust.com.