OREANDA-NEWS. February 4, 2009. The Russian president mandated that: organizational and financial mechanisms should be provided in order to increase the number of educational loans granted; the idea of fixed payments in roubles (without readjustment resulting from shifts in exchange rates) for the entire duration of studies in higher professional education institutions that charge tuition fees should be investigated; attention should be paid to ensuring that academically successful students who pay tuition fees but are undergoing financial difficulties are able to exercise their right to obtain free education status when state budgeted vacancies exist. 

In addition, the President mandated that when educational institutions undergo inspections assessing quality of education and compliance to education laws, particular attention should be given to analyzing the reasons for any infractions that are discovered and the possibility of rectifying them without revoking the institution’s license or withdrawing state accreditation.     

Dmitry Medvedev devoted an entry on his  video blog on February 2, 2009 to the problems of higher education and student support.