The subject of the study is the dropout rate in higher education. The number of students who were enrolled and did not graduate from educational institutions is analysed with the goal to increase the number of graduates when number of educational institutions and students is not subject to change. An empirical method is used: documents and expert opinions are studied. Method of obtaining information: open statistical databases and relevant analytical studies. The methodology of the OECD in compiling statistical databases and the levels of education in Russia are considered. The differences between «tertiary» and «higher education» are highlighted. The position of Russia in terms of the level of literacy of the population among the OECD countries is considered: a modest indicator of the level of «higher education» of the population of Russia is noted amid a high indicator of «tertiary education». The importance of reducing the dropout rate in the context of a direct correlation between the level of «higher education» and the development of a country and society is emphasized. Main reasons for dropping out of educational institutions are considered. The novelty lies in providing the definition of the dropout rate in higher education and its target indicators. The importance of using the term «dropout» in official sources and tightening the criteria indicators used for the purpose of accreditation monitoring is substantiated. The result of the study is the proposals intended to achieve the above designated goal: to provide detailed and additional information to the applicants, to increase the flexibility of curricula and educational programs, to design and aware the target audience of the affordable educational loans etc. In conclusion the importance of further research into the dropout rate to increase the level of higher education is stated.

This paper presents the results of research on the regularities of the formation of carbon nanofibrous materials, as well as the influence of the composition of the model mixture of hydrocarbons S1–S4 on the morphological features and textural characteristics of the resulting carbon nanofibres (CNF).One of the most urgent issues faced by the oil and gas industry is how to increase the processing depth of associated petroleum gas (APG). In the Russian Federation alone, the annual economic losses from unutilisedAPG during processing are estimated at 2 billion dollars. It is known that the composition of APG can vary greatly, depending on the oil and gas field. In particular, the methane concentration, the main component of natural gas and associated gas, varies from 25 to 95 vol.%. In this study, we sought to identify the main factors that determine the morphology and structure of CNF, and to develop approaches in processing actual hydrocarbon mixtures to produce a carbon product with the desired or predictable characteristics. Such an approach can serve as a basis for resource-saving catalytic technology utilizing C1–C4 hydrocarbons that are currently disposed of as post-combustion flare gas. The research results clearly demonstrate that the morphology and texture of the carbon materials obtained by the decomposition of hydrocarbon mixtures depend on the composition of the reaction gas. The key components in this case are methane and the resultant hydrogen: their relationship at a specific temperature determines the direction of the reversible reaction of carbon hydrogenation: S + 2H2 = SH4. The decisive factor in the decomposition of hydrocarbons yielding carbon materials is the degree of deviation of the methanation reaction from equilibrium which can be influenced in two ways. The addition of hydrogen to the reaction gas promotes the driving force of the carbon hydrogenation reaction, resulting in defective high-surface carbon fibres. Increasing the concentration of methane in the reaction gas composition, in contrast, reduces the driving force of methanation until the process is suppressed, which promotes a more structured form of the CNF, without defects.

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