VTB took part in a career week at the Graduate School of Management of Saint Petersburg University (GSOM SPbU), the bank's strategic partner.

Alexander Pyatkov, Deputy Head of Business Operations Support Department, Vice President, told the Business School's students about the challenges financial organizations are facing and the tasks operational function of the bank fulfills today. The participants of the event learned the instruments of operational efficiency improvement and discussed the importance of digital technology and its impact on the banking sector. Alexander also shared his personal experience of operational activity transformation.

At the event the students had a chance to try themselves in solving a business case – to come up with a development strategy for the bank's operations department and present it to the experts from VTB and GSOM SPbU. The best teams received valuable prizes. All participants got detailed feedback and recommendations.

Apart from that, agreements on joint development of new initiatives associated with operational management were made between the Business Operations Support Department of VTB and GSOM SPbU.

 

"Inviting experts, including those from VTB, as practicing lecturers is an important part of GSOM SPbU strategy. The experience of a large-scale transformation of the operational function implemented by the Business Operations Support Department is a great practical example complementing the Business School's fundamental knowledge of management. For VTB, it is an excellent opportunity to find non-standard solutions for real business tasks with the help of the students. Collaboration between the academic community and leaders in the sphere of economy will give the necessary impetus to the future development of our country", – noticed Olga Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board.

 

"Each year the tasks we solve become more and more ambitious, including those associated with operational efficiency improvement. Thus, the need for employees capable of providing the Bank's digital leadership is becoming more obvious. Collaboration with the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg University is an opportunity to reinforce the academic knowledge gained by the students with real practical examples in the area of operational efficiency. No less important is the opportunity to engage young specialists in the development of the banking sector," – mentioned Natalia Dirks, member of VTB Bank Management Board.

 

GSOM SPbU is a leading Russian business school created on the basis of the Saint Petersburg State University, one of the oldest Russian universities, a large scientific, educational and cultural center. It is the only Russian business school triple-accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA independent associations and it is among 1% of the best world's business schools. It is an acknowledged center of research and education in the area of management. VTB is among the members of GSOM SPbU Advisory Board, which includes leaders of companies, government agencies and international academic community.