Problems of higher education in Russia: cross-section-content of internet discussions

Social networks in Internet space are becoming an increasingly significant factor in the formation of public opinion. The author analyzes the opinions of the participants of Internet discussions on the problems of development of Higher education in Russia as the most important social institution. Several channels (blogs) of the Yandex.Zen social network have been identified as the object of research, which have declared this problem for discussion in its various aspects. The characteristics of these channels are presented. Both the initial publications of channel creators and the comments of discussion participants are shown and summarized. It is noted that the discussions reveal real problems in the higher education system (uncertain position of the Bachelor's degree, negative impact of per capita funding of universities, lack of sufficient incentives for teachers to improve their activities, use of outdated methods, etc.). At the same time, due to the anonymity of their status, participants give strict assessments of the state of university environment. Many of their proposals to improve the situation are quite constructive, a considerable part is obviously impossible, but in any case, the cross-section content of such discussions in social networks deserves the attention of management structures in the field of higher education.