Learning by Doing: Russia’s Mendeleev University Launches Reskilling in Generative AI

From Beakers to Neural Networks

“It is clear that generative and artificial intelligence technologies are becoming strategically important. Competition for proprietary, foundational language models now involves not only the largest companies, but entire leading states,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said. The D. I. Mendeleev Russian Chemical Technology University is aligning its educational strategy with this reality. Starting February 1, 2026, the university will launch a professional reskilling program titled Generative Artificial Intelligence in Professional Practice. The initiative is led by the university’s Digital Department, which emphasizes tuition-free access for students and a strong applied focus.

The program spans 252 academic hours over nine months. This structure is designed not for a superficial overview, but for the gradual integration of AI tools into the professional mindset of future specialists. Upon completion, participants receive a formal diploma in professional retraining.

Whom the Program Is For and Why

The Mendeleev University initiative targets professionals whose work intersects with science and high-tech manufacturing. The intended audience includes chemical engineers and researchers, biotechnologists, pharmaceutical chemists, chemical production engineers, analysts, laboratory specialists, and leaders of research projects.

Enrollment is open to undergraduate and specialist-degree students starting from their second year, as well as to master’s students. This approach allows participants to build digital competencies alongside their core university education and enter the labor market with in-demand skills. Though the program is open to advanced students, it is closed to first-year undergraduates and to those who have previously completed training through the university’s Digital Department.

Scientific and technological development is one of our top national priorities. The president has defined technological leadership as a national goal. To stay competitive, the country must be able to rely on its own technologies in critical areas. But technology ultimately depends on people. Building and training skilled specialists is the first and most important challenge

Alexander Mazhuga

First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education

How Universities Are Moving Toward AI

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly routine part of the chemical industry and related fields. It is used in research, design, large-scale data analysis, and the management of complex technological processes. According to industry data, 78 percent of leading companies are already actively deploying AI solutions, with research productivity increasing multiple times as a result.

For specialists, this shift translates not only into faster work cycles, but also into new career trajectories. In chemistry and pharmaceuticals, AI-skilled professionals earn 30–60 percent more than those without AI expertise.

In 2025, Mendeleev University had already launched reskilling programs focused on digital competencies and applied industrial case studies.

International efforts have developed in parallel. UNESCO-ICHEI has offered free generative AI courses for educators, while ITMO University earlier introduced a master’s program in deep learning and generative models.

“Researchers in AI are now in extremely high demand, both in industry and in academic circles,” explains Andrey Filchenkov, head of the master’s program Deep Learning and Generative AI.

Rethinking the Profession

The launch of generative AI reskilling at Mendeleev University illustrates how universities are beginning to anticipate market needs rather than react to them. The program aligns closely with labor-market demand for specialists who can operate at the intersection of domain expertise and digital technologies. For participants, this means broader professional opportunities. For the educational ecosystem, it creates tighter links with the real-world challenges of science and industry.

In the coming years, generative AI is expected to penetrate even deeper into industry, education, government services, and research projects, shifting from an experimental tool to an everyday working environment. Against this backdrop, growth in specialized educational initiatives and certifications is likely, both within universities and across the corporate sector.

Mendeleev University’s Digital Department program in generative AI is not a passing trend. It represents a practical rethinking of professional education, demonstrating how universities are moving away from purely theoretical training toward tools that are already reshaping the daily work of researchers, engineers, and analysts.