Association of International Students (AIST)
Altai State University has been working consistently on shaping the unified educational space of the Asian region. It acts as an organizer of major international events, chairman of Asian Universities Association that was established on its initiative, active SCO University participant. These initiatives tend to attract the attention of foreign countries’ representatives. The number of ASU international students has been increasing annually by 50% for the last three years. In this context, the prerequisites and instigation to establishing of an organization for international students and their engagement into campus life in all its manifestations have arisen.
The Association of International Students (AIST) was formed to become an integrating organization. It was founded as a result of international students’ support, extensive enlightening and organizational work, revealing the leaders among foreign students community. The initiative was aimed at improving the favourable communicating and training atmosphere, enhancing the relationship between multinational students’ community of the University and Altai Krai.
Association of International Students establishment was a key initiative in the framework of Central Asian Students’ Congress confined to Nowruz, a national holiday of Iranian and Turkic peoples.
Nowruz marks the first day of spring, new year and new life. It is a secular holiday and is celebrated by people of different faiths, but remains a holy day for Zoroastrians. The Congress was held on 16-17 March 2015, around the Nowruz celebration dates, and this is also the date of the AIST establishment. ASU international students took an active part in the event.
ASU Rector Sergey V. Zemlyukov called the AIST establishment the most important initiative for both the University and the region. Association has only begun working but it holds great promise for the University, Barnaul and Altai Krai.
The AIST basic principles are tolerance, democracy and mutual respect. It has brought together the students of different countries and nationalities, penetrated into all faculties and student organizations.
The governing body is the Association Council that is made up of leaders of students’ national and cultural unions. The Association chairman is elected from the students.
The Association’s main objectives are:
- international students’ adaptation to staying in Russia and studying in the University;
- familiarizing international students with Russian culture and traditions;
- helping international students deal with problems in education, living conditions and safety;
- organizing the Russian language competitions among international students, which will encourage them study harder;
- organizing Russian language and English language courses for international students, as well as the series of exchange programs;
- engaging international students into all spheres of campus life.
As for the international students themselves, they think that the existence of such organization is very important, as it helps them join in the University’s culture, make new friends, discuss relevant problems and ask the questions of their interest.
