SILA Union and Plekhanov University: A Successful Strategic Partnership
On December 2, an expanded meeting of the Rectorate of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (PRUE) was held, with a key focus on reviewing and advancing cooperation with industrial partners. The university actively collaborates with market-leading companies, including SILA Union, on digital transformation initiatives, the integration of innovations into the educational process, and the training of highly qualified young specialists. During the formal part of the event, Elena Silkina, Managing Partner of SILA Union, presented an award to Plekhanov University’s Rector, Ivan Lobanov, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening the country’s human resource potential.
SILA Union and PRUE: A Successful Model of Strategic Cooperation
Since June 2024, SILA Union has been a partner of PRUE’s Higher School of Cyber Technologies, Mathematics, and Statistics (HSCMS). Within this collaboration, the partners are working in the following key areas:
Joint expert evaluation of educational programs.
Providing all types of student internships at SILA Union.
Organizing internships for students and young faculty members at SILA Union, as well as assisting graduates with employment.
Conducting research and project work for faculty and students on enterprise architecture and business process modeling using the SILA Union platform.
Engaging SILA Union’s partners in joint research and professional development programs.
Establishing a system for sharing best practices and disseminating the latest scientific, educational, and industrial advancements.
Preparing and publishing joint scientific articles, reports, and educational materials.
Practical collaboration between SILA Union and the university began in February 2024 as part of an initiative to replace foreign software products. Throughout the partnership, key initiatives have been implemented to develop competencies in business modeling and corporate architecture design among both students and faculty members.
Access to the SILA Union Platform for Students and Faculty
SILA Union has deployed a training stand for its platform on its own servers and provided 70 software licenses for educational use.
As a result, students and faculty members now have access to a modern and in-demand tool for business architecture modeling and digital transformation design. This significantly enhanced the quality of education, making it more practice-oriented. SILA Union’s initiative has helped improve student training and better prepare them for labor market demands by equipping them with hands-on experience in real-world software solutions.
Integration into the Educational Process
Currently, the platform is actively used in teaching the following courses:
Undergraduate Courses:
Business Process Reengineering and Management
Business Process Modeling Technologies
Banking Information Systems
Business Process Modeling and Reengineering
CRM System Design
Knowledge Management System Design
Graduate Courses:
Technologies for Developing and Implementing Corporate Information Systems
Methodologies and Technologies for Business Process Reengineering and Management
Application in Final-Year Projects
Students use the SILA Union platform in their thesis projects, focusing on:
Enterprise analysis and business architecture modeling
Business process analysis and optimization
IT architecture design
As part of internships and pre-graduation practical training, SILA Union collaborates with the university to select and refine thesis topics and prepare students for their final defenses. The most successful graduates are considered for employment at the company.
To date, nine students have completed pre-graduation internships at SILA Union, with five of them securing full-time positions within the company.
The collaboration between SILA Union and Plekhanov University strengthens ties between business and education, fostering solutions for developing the country’s workforce in the complex field of business modeling and process management.
The implementation of advanced educational programs and initiatives in this area—focused on training business analysts, business architects, systems analysts, and other specialists—aligns with modern market demands. It enables students to acquire relevant knowledge and skills essential for a successful career. Joint projects, events, and internships provide a unique platform for experience exchange among faculty, students, and industry professionals.
“Our partnership facilitates the integration of innovative approaches into the educational process, allowing students not only to grasp theoretical foundations but also to apply them in practice throughout their careers. This is particularly crucial in a rapidly changing environment, where adaptability and the ability to find unconventional solutions are key success factors. Together, we strive to enrich the educational experience to train top-tier specialists and nurture a new generation of professionals,” said Elena Silkina.
