10:00 29.06.2026
Innovations and practice: How Murmansk Arctic University trains professionals for the Northern Sea Route
© Press service of Murmansk Arctic University
Unmanned vessel navigation, additive technologies for ship maintenance and repair, and AI in navigation are not a sci-fi future but the tuition schedule at Murmansk Arctic University (MAU). Acting Rector Maria Knyazeva believes that tuition here is part a modern educational ecosystem focused on the strategic tasks of Russia’s Arctic development.
Maria Knyazeva talks with our correspondent about the present day and the future of training professionals for the Northern Sea Route, the education trajectories between schools and jobs, and why she rejected a career abroad for work in the Arctic.
Question: You were invited to work abroad but rejected that opportunity. Can you tell us why?
Maria Knyazeva: Yes, indeed, there was a period in my life when I almost moved to Germany and then to Japan. But the Murmansk Region is more than my home region. I have always felt responsible for it, and knew that I had to do everything in my power for its prosperity.
Initially, I was focused on science, but later I learned how important managerial decisions can be for developing science not as a standalone function but as the core of a university strategy, and for transforming approaches to management so that research becomes the driver of changes throughout the region. My life and career proceeded in such a way that I – first as a vice-rector for research and later as head of Murmansk State Technical University – began to transform inertial models into flexible project-based formats capable of addressing Arctic challenges.
However, the biggest challenge was the merger of Murmansk State Technical University with Murmansk State Arctic University into what we know now as Murmansk Arctic University. This called for changing the managerial concept and launching major federal projects, and I took it on, initially as first vice-rector and then as acting rector. My goal was to create a modern development model for the university.
That was very out of character for me, because I envisioned my career in science and worked on the computer modeling of physical processes in the near-Earth environment. But I understood that it is impossible to advance science without the administrative clout needed to establish laboratories, make decisions, and attract partners. That was when I made my choice.
Question: Could you please tell us about the innovative educational programs offered at your university?
Maria Knyazeva: The university has a strong research foundation that we have built and strengthened over many years. There are numerous innovations, particularly in bioresource processing technologies and biotechnology.
This includes, for example, canning production, where we have already developed several unique formulations. We are also developing technology for the production of highly purified collagen, which is both innovative and in considerable demand.
The teaching process
© Press service of Murmansk Arctic University
We also offer programs focused on the use of digital technology in mining. For example, at our branch campus in Apatity, where many of the university’s industrial partners are located, we are developing information systems, applications, and software solutions that facilitate the implementation of digital technology in the mining industry.
Question: What retraining, continuing education, or internship programs does MAU offer for jobs needed for the operation of the Northern Sea Route?
Maria Knyazeva: The university operates a Maritime Conventional Training Center, which offers more than 90 continuing professional education programs for active seafarers.
For example, we provide training for managers and specialists of shipping companies, as well as shipboard personnel, in safety management in accordance with the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code for the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention.
This program is delivered jointly with inspector engineers from the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and concludes with the issuance of the appropriate certification.
At present, only five ISM maritime training centers in Russia offer the educational program on Refresher Training for Work on Vessels Without the “Non-Fishing Vessel Only” Restriction. Our university approved and introduced this program in 2026.
The first facility of the Shore-Based Training and Simulation Center has already been completed, and we hope to begin construction of the second phase soon. Once the center becomes fully operational, we will expand our range of emergency response and safety training programs for shipboard operations and maritime activities.
On a regular basis, we offer 30 professional retraining programs and 21 advanced training programs. Among the retraining programs related to the development of the Northern Sea Route are Foreman for Processing Fishery Products on Fishing Fleet Vessels, Meteorologist, and Management of 1C:ERP Technology and Other Application Solutions for the Automation and Optimization of Production Processes.
Question: How significant is the demand for personnel at facilities and enterprises along the Northern Sea Route? Is there a shortage?
Maria Knyazeva: According to experts, the demand for personnel at facilities and enterprises along the Northern Sea Route and in related industries is critically high.
The Northern Sea Route encompasses several regions, including Murmansk Region, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Yakutia, and the Chukotka Autonomous Area. The development of these territories requires not only workforce replacement but also the establishment and expansion of ship repair, supply, and bunkering facilities, the development of coastal infrastructure, as well as technologies for unmanned vessel navigation and ocean research.
It is important to understand that these needs cannot be met solely through rotational employment. The regions themselves need to be developed and improved be become attractive, ensuring comfortable living conditions for the population, which is highly mobile today, especially young people. This includes providing high-quality healthcare, education, culture, urban infrastructure, transport connectivity, and access to modern telecommunications, among other things.
If we consider personnel demand comprehensively, the total need amounts to approximately 200,000 positions. On an annual basis, this translates into a requirement for roughly 40,000 new specialists each year.
In reality, secondary vocational and higher education institutions operating in these regions currently graduate only about 16,000 to 17,000 specialists annually. Within the context of territories directly associated with the Northern Sea Route, the number of graduates is about 10,000 per year, while the annual demand stands at approximately 40,000. As it is, the gap amounts to roughly 30,000 positions each year.
Question: Which competencies are most in demand on the Northern Sea Route?
Maria Knyazeva: When it comes to maintaining existing infrastructure, basic classical, universal professional competencies remain indispensable.
However, from a strategic perspective, the Northern Sea Route requires personnel capable of driving industrial transformation in alignment with contemporary trends. This pertains primarily to the digital transformation across most economic sectors.
For instance, within the realm of ship repair, expertise in additive technologies is becoming increasingly prominent. Seafarers and ship crews must possess a robust level of IT proficiency, especially in the context of unmanned surface vessel (USV) navigation. Equally critical are skills related to leveraging big data on meteorological conditions, deploying artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and implementing smart port concepts, among similar advancements.
Naturally, given the Arctic regions where offshore extraction operations are conducted, there is a surging demand for offshore oil and gas specialists.
The teaching process
© Press service of Murmansk Arctic University
Additionally, soft skills – or supra-professional abilities – are in high demand: the capacity to function effectively within a team, leadership qualities, stress resilience, and a commitment to continuous self-development and education, as well as creative thinking.
Regarding personnel for the development of the Northern Sea Route, the following professions are required: ship crew members for the new Arctic fleet, engineers and skilled tradespeople specializing in ship repair, logistics specialists, IT professionals, builders of marine structures and general construction, navigation experts, welders, machinists, electricians (including engineers in these fields), and technologists in bioresource processing.
Question: In your opinion, who is more in demand on the Northern Sea Route – highly specialized experts or individuals with universal competencies?
Maria Knyazeva: Specialists must possess a comprehensive suite of professional and supra-professional competencies, while simultaneously demonstrating an understanding of modern technologies and proficiency in their application.
Moreover, the ability to acquire a niche specialization is crucial, often achieved through continuous self-development and self-education. This underscores the importance of cultivating a mindset geared toward professional growth among young specialists.
Question: In what areas essential for the development of the Northern Sea Route is training conducted at the university?
Maria Knyazeva: Murmansk Arctic University (MAU) serves not merely as an educational institution, but as a federal center of excellence around which personnel and technological policy for the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation is structured.
MAU prepares specialists to meet the needs of the Northern Sea Route and allied industries, annually updating its programs in such disciplines as Marine Specialties (navigators, electro-technical officers, marine engineers, radio operators), Ship Repair, Food Technologists Specializing in Bioresource Processing, Offshore Oil and Gas, Industrial Fishing, Ecology and Technosphere Safety, and IT Training.
For the development of Arctic territories, the university trains specialists in the following fields: General Medicine and Internal Medicine Residency, Pedagogical Education, Construction, Electric Power and Electrical Engineering, Thermal Power and Thermal Engineering, Tourism, Economics, Law, and other areas.
Question: To what extent do current educational programs meet the existing personnel needs on the Northern Sea Route?
Maria Knyazeva: We update our educational programs annually in collaboration with industry partners. Graduates are in high demand, with the average employment rate reaching 75 percent.
Question: Do you have educational programs created in partnership with major companies involved in developing the Northern Sea Route?
Maria Knyazeva: We create maritime education programs in partnership with major owners of cargo and fishing fleets. These are intended to train navigators, electrical engineers, and ship mechanics.
We also work with ship repair companies and coastal infrastructure companies. All partners are highly active because there is a high demand for personnel.
Question: What training programs are you planning to develop in the foreseeable future?
Maria Knyazeva: In maritime education, we are planning to introduce unmanned navigation technologies and the use of space activity results. In the area of ship maintenance, we are planning to introduce additive technologies.
All of this will be carried out with the help of new research and production centers to be established at Murmansk Arctic University. I am referring to the Competence Center for the Introduction of Space Activity Results to be opened in partnership with the Roscosmos State Corporation and the Arctic Center of Maritime Engineering Technologies opened under a grant from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Question: What has the state been doing to develop the education system over the past five years?
Maria Knyazeva: I would like to note that we have both federal and regional support.
Federal support allows us to modernize the infrastructure and build a modern student campus as part of the Youth and Children national project.
Owing to the Priority 2030 program, we conduct scientific research and develop hi-tech products and technologies, and we expand the HR potential of the R&D sector.
The teaching process
© Press service of Murmansk Arctic University
Murmansk Arctic University is also included in the program of the Russian President’s scholarships amounting to 30,000 rubles per month and the Russian Government’s scholarships of 20,000 rubles per month.
Regional support provides young scientists and postgraduate students of Murmansk Arctic University with gubernatorial scholarships of 20,000 rubles per month. Personal Murmansk Region Governor’s scholarships for students majoring in top-priority higher education fields total 15,000 rubles monthly.
Students with high exam scores and medalists receive a one-time payment of 100,000 rubles upon advancing to their second year. Our industry partners also provide scholarships for the best students.
Question: Why is the university so popular with prospective students?
Maria Knyazeva: First, we offer a fine-tuned career guidance system. The region has selected 20 top-priority courses, all of which are linked with industry employers and the regional economy. We are involved in outreach efforts in high schools, where we inform school students about various professions they can acquire, their practical implications, advantages and possible benefits.
Some schools open specialized classes, including with our involvement. There is a Gubernatorial Lyceum that offers three priority courses that align with ours, including Arctic maritime operations, the processing of Arctic biological resources and bioengineering technologies, and Arctic mineral resources.
We also have regional measures for supporting entrants – a wide range of scholarships for freshmen and older students.
Young people are also attracted by the attitude of industry partners who guide them from high school all the way to university degrees.
