Rector of ASU delivered report at the meeting in China

On September 12 work of The XVIII Meeting of Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Committee for Humanitarian Cooperation under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Olga Yu. Golodets and Vice Premier of China Liu Yandong started in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

In the framework of the meeting M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University and Beijing University proposed the idea to organize The First Forum of Association of Classical Universities of Russia and China together. It is to be reminded that the association foundation memorandum was signed by rectors of the two universities at the forum for rectors of Russian and Chinese universities on 5 July 2016.

The event was held under the auspices of the Russian Rectors’ Union. Russia was represented by more than 30 leading higher education establishments. Rector of flagship Altai State University S.V. Zemlyukov received an official invitation to join Association of Classical Universities of Russia and China from Rector of M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University V.A. Sadovnichiy.

Sergey V. Zemlyukov took an active part in the meeting. On September 12 he addressed the attendees with a welcoming speech on behalf of the Association of Asian Universities and Rectors’ Council of Altai Krai and Altai Republic and participated in the discussion of association’s regulations and work directions.

On September 13 S.V. Zemlyukov delivered a report entitled “Experience in Networking Cooperation between Altai State University and Higher Education Establishments of China in the Framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization University and Association of Asian Universities and Prospects for Development of Association of Classical Universities of Russia and China”. In the course of the speech he summarized the experience in educational and cultural interaction between Altai State University and higher education establishments of China and Central Asia, touched upon the key advances and problems, described the prospects for further collaboration.

In particular, Sergey V. Zemlyukov noted that cooperation between ASU and Chinese universities in the areas of education and science was getting permanent and grand-scale, including as it relates to SCO University, Association of Asian Universities, joint educational programs and academic mobility.

ASU Rector also reminded that Altai State University would host The III Asian Student Forum “Altai-Asia 2017” on 14–18 September. The best practices in cooperation between ASU and Central Asian universities in the framework of SCO University and Association of Asian Universities must be used in activity of new association of Russian and Chinese higher education establishments.

“Our primary goals include enhancement of cooperation with the universities of China and diversification of cooperation forms with existing partners, which means partner network extension, multiplication of training programs, implementation of training modules in the Chinese and English languages at ASU, organization of offsite youth schools and seminars, and broadening of geography for language internships in China and other south-east countries,” ASU Rector mentioned in his speech.

Rector of flagship Altai State University marked the following directions as key ones for the association of classical universities to concentrate on: development of multilateral cooperation and spread of best practices; provision of academic mobility for students and lecturers; realization of network educational programs; realization of network research activity; creation of network dissertation councils; integration of resources for electronic and remote education; establishment of inter-university student associations; improvement of legal framework , which regulates relations in education and science on trans-regional level.

At the end of the speech S.V. Zemlyukov once again highlighted the relevance of creation of Association of Classical Universities of Russia and China. He especially signalized the importance of consolidation of multidisciplinary classical universities.

“Classical universities are characterized by diverse research areas and their fundamental nature. The first point gives an opportunity to solve complex problems in fields, where interdisciplinarity is vital. Fundamental nature and high level of research encourages development of new technologies.”

The report delivered by Rector of Altai State University Sergey V. Zemlyukov was met with great interest and deserved appreciation of the audience.