Yury Biktuganov officially appointed rector of Ural State Pedagogical University

Yury Biktuganov has been officially named rector of Ural State Pedagogical University (USPU). His appointment, confirmed by Russia's Ministry of Education, follows a two-month interim period. The new rector brings decades of experience in education leadership across the Sverdlovsk region.

Biktuganov first took on the role as acting rector on October 7, 2024. His permanent appointment came on December 17, 2025, after a review by education authorities.

His career began in rural education, where he worked as a school principal. Later, he moved into government, holding senior positions such as head of the regional Education Department and deputy chairman of the Sverdlovsk Regional Government. He also served as deputy prime minister, overseeing education and youth policy. As regional education minister, Biktuganov led key projects. These included building new schools and kindergartens, updating academic standards, and expanding digital learning tools. He also supported training programmes for teachers and young professionals. Earlier in his career, he graduated from Sverdlovsk State Pedagogical Institute with a degree in physics and astronomy education. His goals as rector include boosting USPU's research and teaching standards, improving youth engagement, and reinforcing the university's status as a leading pedagogical institution in the Urals and beyond.

Biktuganov's leadership at USPU follows years of shaping regional education policy. While no specific changes to the university's academic direction have been announced since his interim appointment, his priorities focus on research growth, student opportunities, and institutional development. The university now looks to strengthen its position under his guidance.