The Development of University Students’ Cognitive Activity as a Part of Human Capital Growth in Kuzbass Mining Cluster

Abstract

Social and economic welfare in Kuzbass as a coal mining region is provided through the development of human capital. This task is accomplished via education and training, enabling improved levels of quality and production at coal mining enterprises. Therefore, the increasing requirements for University graduates imply the need of new forms and updated content in students’ cognitive activity development. The main goal of our research is to identify and justify the conditions for developing students’ cognitive activity in the process of their studying at the University in coal mining region. The article presents data from a study carried out among students and teachers of Kemerovo State University, the largest institution of higher education in Kuzbass. During the research, special attention was paid to implementing the problem-based learning, which allowed students to enhance their activities at lectures, seminars, and in preparing for classes. The results of the study showed progress in students’ independent cognitive activity and their self-motivated attitude to the process of learning due to several factors. The activity of students largely depends on the teachers’ proficiency in supporting, guiding, and monitoring the learning process, as well as on the teaching methods they use. The growth of human capital in terms of higher education becomes a key determinant of the coal mining region’s sustainable development.