Higher education is a major but somewhat underestimated resource of Russia's influence, but Russian universities do become visible at the international market of learning. At the same time, export of educational services and internationalization of the sector stimulate the in-house development of the educational infrastructure. Hence, in the recent years international university activities have been in the government focus.
Higher education is a major but somewhat underestimated resource of Russia's influence, but Russian universities do become visible at the international market of learning. At the same time, export of educational services and internationalization of the sector stimulate the in-house development of the educational infrastructure. Hence, in the recent years international university activities have been in the government focus.
To this end, quite important has been conference of rectors and vice-rectors on international issues held by Peoples' Friendship University of Russia on December 5-7.
The forum incorporated a series of roundtables on key matters such as efficient ways for foreign student training in Russia, basic problems of foreign learning in Russian, raising education quality for foreigners, and best university practices.
The plenary meeting was opened by Vladimir Filippov, the host university rector. Among participants were Igor Fedyukin, Deputy Minister for education and Science, and representatives of various federal ministries and agencies.
RIAC's Director General Andrey Kortunov and Program Director Ivan Timofeyev were also invited. At the plenary meeting, Dr. Kortunov concentrated on the need to combine the international interests Russian universities, businesses and government. At that, the university principals may become the key actor through summing up best Russian practices, arranging the university-government feedback and implementation of foreign policy decisions.
Dr. Kortunov also expanded on main areas of RIAC activities and its principles for engagement of universities. Academician Filippov proposed using the RIAC website for inter-university interaction on internationalization and international cooperation.
For RIAC, the conference has been significant in view of building partnerships with Russian universities that are its corporate members, as appropriate adjustments could have been made in the new yearly series of programs for Russian universities that we launch in 2013.
