MAI and Ivi: Pioneering Engineering Education in the Digital Age

Russia - Ekhbary News Agency

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the dialogue between industry and academia is not just about sharing experience, but a matter of survival and growth. In this interview, Alexander Druzhkov, Deputy CTO at Ivi, shares the story and results of our collaboration with the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI).

The Genesis of an Intriguing Partnership

The collaboration began in 2018 when MAI approached us with an offer that was both a challenge and a natural progression: 'Let's create a Master's program together that speaks to students in the language of real projects.' The idea was simple yet complex: to impart not rigid textbook dogma, but the dynamic, pulsating experience of building digital products at one of the country's foremost online cinemas.

An Innovative Educational Approach

Many of our employees enthusiastically joined this initiative, contributing valuable insights to the students. Over time, we've covered diverse areas such as data analysis, agile development methodologies, the economics and quality assurance of IT solutions, software team development technologies, and much more. Druzhkov, one of the initial instructors, highlights his experience with agile methodologies. Despite lacking formal pedagogical experience, he had years of practical application within the company. He shunned the traditional 'talking head' lecture format, opting for an engaging, dialogue-driven approach focused on business specifics. The format evolved into 'minimum dry theory, maximum practice.' Sessions were structured as training, with 50 minutes of lecture followed by a 10-minute break, then 50 minutes of practical application. Students weren't just note-takers; they were expected to solve real-world cases, debate, propose, and defend their ideas. Early cohorts praised the interactive nature, a stark contrast to the traditional model where professors are the sole authority. Druzhkov even playfully hid behind a pillar to encourage students to engage with each other and the tasks, emphasizing collaborative success over individual grades.

Program Evolution and Scale-Up

While acknowledging that the program constantly evolved, Druzhkov notes a significant shift with Masha Knyazeva, an Agile Coach, joining. She refined the concepts into a robust methodology. The challenge escalated in 2024 with a group exceeding 100 students. Delivering quality practical sessions for such a large cohort seemed almost impossible. Druzhkov considered stepping down, but colleagues encouraged finding a solution. This led to a 'revolutionary, risky, and brilliantly simple' proposal: abandon the infrequent, low-immersion sessions for a more intensive format. They proposed eight full-day Saturday intensives per semester, from 9 AM to 4 PM, focusing purely on training. Program head Maria Bulakina expressed initial astonishment at the seven-hour marathon, but the team's confidence ('We are a team. We will support each other.') convinced the university to approve the experiment. The university's flexibility in rescheduling was highly appreciated.

Exceptional Outcomes: Beyond Expectations

This new format adapted experience from a previous internship program conducted for Bauman Moscow State Technical University students. The result was an intensive, non-stop training experience for 120 students, divided into teams of 7-9. Two parallel learning tracks emerged. The first was the core curriculum: in-depth practical workshops, real case studies, and discussions where theory met immediate practice, with clear motivation systems including group and individual grades and potential for advanced standing. The second track, the 'book club,' became a revelation. Each team had to read an agile, management, or product thinking book and present an interactive 30-minute analysis to the entire audience. Instead of formal presentations, the students delivered 'shows.' Teams went above and beyond, using personal funds for laminated materials, integrating live QR-code polls, and even presenting a book analysis through the lens of the Harry Potter universe, complete with costumes and magic, delivering a deep dive into IT team-building principles. This was not a forced 'student obligation,' but a genuine act of creativity and immersion, driven by a desire to excel for themselves and their peers. The semester concluded with a challenging test, which the instructors themselves found difficult to ace, underscoring the program's rigor and effectiveness.

For more on this innovative collaboration, visit the Ekhbary Portal.