Vladivostok State University (VVSU) is proactively integrating artificial intelligence into its operations, guided by the principle that neural networks are tools to handle routine tasks and enhance human potential, not replace it.
To put this into practice, the university has launched mass training for faculty and established a regulatory framework for using AI in teaching, research, and administration.
From First Prompt to a Finished Course
In 2025, the Center for Digital Solutions trained 339 educators. The programs were highly practical:
"AI for Educators: Secrets of Effective Dialogue": 138 participants learned how to write effective prompts (prompts) to generate usable educational material instead of generic text.
Specialized Training for Linguists: A webinar for 44 language teachers focused on generating texts at specific difficulty levels, creating natural-sounding examples, and producing audio materials indistinguishable from native speakers.
E-Course Design: Separate cycles taught 28 college instructors how to design electronic courses faster with AI assistance.
Full Cycle Development: Series like "Teaching with AI: Rapid Course Development" gave 129 instructors a complete toolkit for building digital courses.
Training was rated excellent by an average of 93.3% of attendees. As a result, initial skepticism turned into active application. All guides, instructions, and prompt kits are now available to every VVSU lecturer on the university's portal.
"We deliberately built the training not around technology, but around the teacher's concrete tasks... And when a lecturer sees that AI saves them three or four hours of routine work per week, the question 'why do I need this?' disappears by itself."
Artem Giotte, Head of the Center for Digital Solutions
Horizontal AI Communities
Beyond formal training, two professional online communities have formed to foster a culture of knowledge sharing:
"NeuroVVSU": For lecturers of all disciplines (156 members).
"AI4LT – AI for Language Teachers": For foreign language and Russian as a Foreign Language instructors (90 members).
These platforms allow colleagues to share news, successful prompts, analyze mistakes, and help each other master new tools.
The Rules That Were Missing
While many universities lack clear guidelines, VVSU adopted a comprehensive "Policy for the Application of AI Systems." It regulates use across education, science, and management based on key principles:
Data Security: Personal data is processed only within VVSU's closed network. Approved domestic services (e.g., YandexGPT, GigaChat) can be used for non-personal tasks without leaving the secure perimeter.
Transparency: The fact that AI was used must be disclosed, and generated content requires mandatory verification for accuracy.
Human Responsibility: AI is an auxiliary tool. Delegating decision-making with legal or academic consequences to a neural network is strictly prohibited.
All approved systems are listed in a registry managed by the Vice-Rector for Digital Development. Any system posing security risks or lowering quality standards is removed.
"The policy is not about prohibitions. It's about providing a clear framework... Without such rules, digital transformation turns into chaos where everyone acts at their own risk."
Dmitry Gmar, Vice-Rector for Digital Development
What's Next
For 2026, VVSU plans more advanced workshops, expanded methodology libraries, and targeted training for researchers and administrative staff. Furthermore, the university aims to adopt three detailed regulations specifically for educational, scientific-research, and administrative activities.