In the modern world, education is often taken for granted. But for many living in remote and rural areas, gaining access to quality schooling continues to be an immense challenge. Teachers face uphill battles with scarce resources, while students struggle to get the education they deserve. Entrepreneur Shelkov Mikhail believes change starts with people who sometimes need a helping hand to uncover their full potential.
The Man Who Changed It All
Meet Mikhail Shelkov – a well-known entrepreneur in the aluminum and titanium sectors, who is also recognized for his philanthropic heart. He has donated millions of dollars towards supporting educational and research initiatives, including scholarships for students at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) and programs to bring science education to school children in remote regions.
Shelkov was born in Moscow in 1968 and has always been drawn to science and technology. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the prestigious MIPT, where he studied molecular and chemical physics. After graduating with honors, he began his career at Eurosibbank, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
In 1996, Shelkov was appointed the head of RBRD. He left the company in 2001 to become the driving force behind Prominvest, an investment holding company. In 2014, he acquired a controlling stake in VSMPO-AVISMA and joined its board of directors as vice chairman. In 2022, he purchased the Samara Metallurgical Plant and became a major player in the aluminum production sector.
Bringing Empathy Where It Matters
The Empathy Charitable Foundation, established in 2019, has been making waves in the fields of education, science, culture, art and enlightenment. With their unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact, the foundation has already reached remarkable milestones in a short span of time.
One of the foundation’s most significant programs is their ongoing initiative to support teachers in the Sverdlovsk Region. Since November 2020, more than 550 teachers from 16 schools in the towns of Verkhnyaya and Nizhnyaya Salda have been receiving a monthly stipend that adds an extra 50% to their salaries. This endeavor, aimed at attracting more qualified educators, has required an impressive allocation equivalent to a third of the amount both towns spend on the school education system, showcasing the foundation’s dedication to improving the lives and professional growth of educators.
Expanding the reach further, the Empathy Foundation extended its support to the teachers and management of kindergartens in the two cities, benefiting a total of 600 individuals. Additionally, the foundation launched the now esteemed “Best Teachers” program in 2022, offering an extra 50% monthly bonus to 100 deserving winners, supplementing their salaries, and recognizing their exceptional contributions.
“The mission of Empathy was and remains, to encourage teachers to do what they love without the risk of losing a decent income. Schools received an opportunity to invite more specialists, fill vacancies and refute the stereotype that good education is only available for the privileged few in large cities,” Shelkov shared.
Understanding that professional growth is key to enhancing the quality of education, Empathy has collaborated with the Higher Technical School in Tula to provide free educational courses specially tailored to teachers’ needs, as requested by the teachers themselves. This unique approach ensures that educators receive valuable knowledge and skills to further excel in their careers.
In 2021, Empathy made a significant foray into a new region, becoming a co-organizer of the “Teaching as a Calling!” competition in the Tula Region. With each passing year, the competition’s prestige has grown, accompanied by an increase in the number of winners and the amount of prize money. The 2023 edition saw 63 winners and a staggering budget capable of covering up to 12 months of the wages of those remarkable educators who continue to inspire.
No Student Left Behind
Dedicated to fostering young talent, the Empathy Foundation sponsored a youth engineering accelerator titled “Workshop: Salda 2.0,” in collaboration with the Higher Technical School for teenagers of Verkhnyaya and Nizhnyaya Salda. This accelerator allowed school children to work diligently alongside inspiring mentors, collectively striving to improve their respective cities through innovative projects. What is more, the foundation facilitated workshops that taught the local teenagers the art of creating computer-animated stories while also enabling them to launch a satellite and communicate with active cosmonauts at the acclaimed Summer Space School. These exceptional experiences undoubtedly helped shape the next generation of thinkers and dreamers.
Recognizing the importance of fostering academic excellence, the Empathy Foundation provides educational grants and scholarships to highly talented children from various regions. The recipients include Sverdlovsk school children, winners of national and local olympiads, as well as youngsters pursuing studies in physics and international affairs. Additionally, the foundation partnered with MIPT to launch the “Science to the Regions” program in 2022/2023, which offers a two-week intensive training session at the institute, for 60 school children and eight teachers from the Sverdlovsk and Perm regions.
Going Above and Beyond
In the Summer of 2021, Shelkov Mikhail once again proved his commitment to the local community in a time of need.
July 5, 2021: after heavy rains caused the Salda River dam to rupture and flood parts of Verkhnyaya Salda, VSMPO-AVISMA, Shelkov’s company, deployed its resources to aid victims and restore order. For several days, the corporation devoted 78 units of heavy equipment and over 100 workers to round-the-clock flood relief. The company also established an emergency hotline for flood victims, set up food and water distribution points, arranged temporary shelters, and provided transportation to evacuate children from affected camps.
With its massive scale and reach, the titanium giant proved an invaluable ally for Verkhnyaya Salda in its time of crisis. The quick and comprehensive flood response highlighted the vital role both the corporation and the foundation play in supporting the region.
What’s Next?
Shelkov believes education holds the key to overcoming inequality. And he’s living proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“Everyone had a teacher about whom they can say: ‘if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to…’ or ‘thanks to him I learned…’, and I am no exception”, said Mikhail Shelkov. “So the idea of the foundation was only a natural extension of the respect I have for my teachers.”
Through tireless dedication and unwavering commitment, Shelkov continues to mobilize both the public and private sectors, urging them to prioritize education as the bedrock of progress. Recognizing the transformative power of collaboration, he has spearheaded public-private partnerships, bringing together educational experts, policymakers, and various other stakeholders to harness their collective expertise to combat systemic issues head-on.
By lifting up others, the foundation is also lifting up society. Its empathy circles outward in widening ripples of progress and change. In big cities and small villages, Empathy is helping teachers better nurture their students. And by elevating education, it is elevating humanity.
