Irkutsk State University (ISU) has completed a major structural transformation aimed at strengthening the link between higher education and the real sector economy. Effective January 1, 2026, the university has officially launched a base department in partnership with JSC Pharmasyntez, one of the leaders of the Russian pharmaceutical industry.
Integration of Education and Production
According to the university’s press service, the changes were formalized by Order No. 1258 dated December 22, 2025. As part of this reorganization, the Department of Analytical Chemistry was renamed the Department of Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and received the official status of a base department for JSC Pharmasyntez.
This new status allows for the deep integration of the educational process with actual industrial production. Students and postgraduates of ISU will now have the opportunity to solve practical tasks in the fields of drug development and quality control, working directly at the “forefront of science.”
Alignment with National Priorities
The launch of the department is part of the implementation of the national project “Technological Leadership”, which began in 2025. Within the framework of the “New Materials and Chemistry” direction, the project aims to ensure Russia’s technological sovereignty and train highly qualified personnel specifically for the pharmaceutical industry.
Evolution of Partnership
The establishment of the base department is a logical continuation of the systematic cooperation between the university and the business sector. Previously, in 2025, ISU, with the support of Pharmasyntez, launched a specialized master’s program titled “Pharmaceutical Chemistry”.
This program is designed to train graduates specifically for careers in the company’s research and development (R&D) divisions, ensuring a seamless transition from academia to professional practice.
