The first day of Russian and Kazakhstan Young Scientists Winter School

The first day of the Winter School was eventful and interesting. ASU Presidential Library Hall was packed with more than 90 lecturers and students, some of them coming from Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China. The project organizers include Altai School of Political Research, Altai State University (Department of World History and International Relations), Altai Branch of Russian Political Science Association and Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.

The School Organization Committee Chairman Yu.G. Chernyshov noted that the discussion of trans-border cooperation between regions in terms of modern world conditions was very important. It is particularly important for the citizens of Kazakhstan, Altai Krai and Republic of Altai. The organizers have already been interested in this project for a long time: the School has received 18 reports from Almaty, Astana, Semipalatinsk and Ust-Kamenogorsk, 16 reports from young researchers from Barnaul; the total number of participants turned out to be 3 times higher that it had been planned.

ASU Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovative Work, Professor A.A Tishkin welcomed the school participants and emphasized the significance of Central Asian area of study development at the university. Faculty of History Dean, Professor E.V. Demchik added that she was proud to see so many foreign students eager to participate in scientific discussions.

The opening session was followed by a small online seminar with the participation of lecturers from two Kazakh cities – Almaty and Astana. The participants were warmly congratulated on the beginning of successful work by Professor of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University R.R. Kairbekova. Then Assistant Professor of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University K.S. Kaliyeva told the audience about the International Summer School for Altai Students “Our Common Home Altai”. ASU Professor P.K. Dashkovskiy in his turn shared Asian Analytical Center of Ethnology and International Educational Cooperation experience. Online session rounded into the burst of applause to the Kazakh colleagues.

After a break the participants listened to the experts and discussed their reports. The first report was devoted to theoretical aspects of trans-border cooperation between regions. Professor of the Department of World History and International Relations O.A. Arshintseva clearly and thoroughly analyzed the main scientific approaches to the issue offered by literature. The second report was as much as original and based on the analysis of specific experimental material. Professor of the Department of General History of Altai State Pedagogical University V.S. Boyko discussed the topic “Border Territory as a Zone of Conflicts and Cooperation in Central and South Asia”.

Then the discussions on considered issues were held. In particular, the participants argued if Great Altai was a “constructed region” and if the “construction” attracted interest of neighbouring countries. It was concluded that Russian-Kazakh direction of cooperation is currently the most promising in the framework of “Great Altai”.

The first day of the School finished with providing instructions to the role-playing game. 16 participants were divided into two teams and were asked to design and present a project of trans-border cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan. Moreover, assessment criteria were determined in anticipation of reports competitions, which will take place tomorrow, 29 January.

The Winter School has experienced the capacity crowd on the first day of its work, which will continue for two more days.