Representatives from Yakov and Partners aided in the creation of the curriculum and developed the class content for some disciplines. At this stage, they will act as teachers and mentors to students working on their class projects.

Olga Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairman of the Management Board of VTB Bank and the Director of GSOM SPbU, said in her speech: "This educational path, which was developed jointly with Yakov and Partners, is an effective way to solve new, complex challenges that the labor market will present to us. Now the Russian economy is undergoing a transformation and it needs world-class managers more than ever. I am sure that in this course, GSOM SPbU teachers and practical consultants from Yakov and Partners will give students everything they need to make a successful start in the consulting world. This will be an exciting quest that will help you, the next generation of leaders, expand the scope of the concept of "global citizenship" in order to actively help the development of not only our country, but also the whole world. Good luck!"

Within a year and a half, students will receive unique knowledge and skills under the close guidance of the business school’s mentors and Yakov and Partners consultants. The training is conducted in English and combines the academic foundation of the educational institution with the major consulting company’s practices.

Yulia Aray, Academic Director of the Master in Management Program at GSOM SPbU, spoke about the opportunities offered to students by the new track: "Our business school has extensive experience in cooperating with major Russian and international employers. By launching such advanced professional education courses and involving expert practitioners from the business community in the educational process, we will be able to train young people for the most in-demand jobs. Graduates will have ample opportunities for career development, because at the end of the program they will already have a solid resume that meets the expectations of employers and is highly sought-after in the labor market, not only in Russia but also abroad. Therefore, this academic path, which was created jointly with Yakov and Partners within the framework of the Master in Management program, will become a solid foundation for the successful career growth of graduates in the field of consulting."

During the ceremonial launch of the track, student teams from GSOM SPbU made presentations on the topic "Global Citizenship." According to Yannis Christodoulou, Associate Professor of the Department of Strategic and International Management at the business school, the students will study aspects such as sustainable development, including climate change, social and economic inequality, etc.: "In this course, students will explore today’s global challenges in detail. They will get acquainted with the ethical side of the global community’s development, deepen their knowledge in the field of intercultural communication, and learn how to make decisions together and how to apply responsible leadership methods. Participants will have the opportunity to become agents of positive transformation on an international scale."

The "Strategy and Consulting" educational track, which has been launched by GSOM SPbU and Yakov and Partners, contains specialized courses on strategic management, leadership, and change management, as well as various workshops. In addition, students will work on real business projects, both individually and in groups. At the end of their studies, they will be required to complete an applied research project, which is a graduation project for this course.

Fifteen first-year students of the Master in Management program enrolled in this new track after successfully completing the preliminary selection process. They will be able to take advantage of the unique opportunities provided by Yakov and Partners, in particular, to meet with its recruiting specialists, to be selected for the company in an expedited manner and enjoy other privileges.