Questions of the admission campaign in 2020 were discussed on the online platform of the newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda" with the participation of representatives of several universities (https://www.kazan.kp.ru/daily/27146/4241068/). One of the guests of the virtual Studio "Komsomolki" was Vice-rector for academic Affairs of the Volga Academy of sports and tourism, doctor of pedagogical Sciences Almaz Galimov.
- The pandemic has made its own adjustments to the work of universities, tell us what changes have occurred in the admission campaign of the Volga Academy?
- One of the entrance exams at our sports University has always been a practical test. Applicants demonstrated their physical fitness and technical skills in their chosen sport, in which they would like to become coaches. This year, the Federal center banned face-to-face entrance tests and recommended that they be conducted in the form of remote testing. We have developed theoretical tests based on the school curriculum on the theory and history of physical culture, which applicants will have to take online. It remains unchanged that school graduates come with the results of the unified state exam in Russian language and biology. If the applicant has graduated from a secondary professional institution, then it is possible for them to pass these exams through remote testing already on the University platform. 
For remote acceptance of documents from applicants, a special website is opened where the applicant registers, submits an application and all other documents in electronic form. Here he will pass all the entrance tests. In mid-July, we will conduct a trial remote testing for those who will have registered by then.
- Now many people call themselves coaches, conduct lessons on the Internet, without knowing the medical aspects of their activities. Do your students have relevant medical knowledge?
- Previously, it was widely believed that former athletes who achieved high results, without training, can work as coaches, based on the thesis: "Train like me." This approach contradicts modern requirements and understanding of the coaching profession.  Our students pass three blocks of 32 mandatory academic disciplines: Humanities and pedagogy (pedagogy, psychology, computer science, mathematics, etc.), specialized (theory and methodology of the chosen sport) and 11 biomedical disciplines, including human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, anti-doping, etc. They are quite difficult to pass, so all our graduates get the appropriate knowledge and prepare at the proper level.
- How popular are your University graduates today?
- Demand for graduates is high. Our annual employment monitoring shows that last year, for example, 92% of graduates were employed by October 1. Many of our students start working while they are still studying: in sports schools, commercial clubs, and open their own groups and sections. The state's policy on this issue allows us to build new sports facilities throughout the country. The population is interested in a healthy lifestyle. So that cadres need!
- What specific professions are now in demand and highly paid?
- Salary largely depends on the qualification of the specialist. For coaches, there are municipal, regional, and Federal allowances for training athletes who demonstrate high results. Recently, we have a high competition for the educational program "adaptive physical culture". This is not just working with people who have health restrictions. This includes recovery from injuries and rehabilitation.
- How much does it cost to study at your University?
- The state supports sports education. This year, we are recruiting students for 738 budget places: 573 for undergraduate and 165 for master's programs. About 1000 people will become first-year students. If the grades do not allow, you will have to study for 180 thousand rubles a year in the master's program and 169 thousand rubles in the bachelor's program. Sports equipment and maintenance of sports facilities are expensive for the state. The cost of training at the faculty of service and tourism is less (120 thousand rubles), but here students study only on a commercial basis. Successful students are provided with bonuses. The cost of training can be reduced by 15% due to a high use score for admission - from 230 and above, as well as high points for the use of a foreign language or the presence of a certificate of international language examination