Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts, Mr. Bernd Finke visited Altai State University

The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany was accompanied by coordinator for the protocol and relations with the regions Svetlana Vinokurova, foreign relations and protocol specialists of the Department of the Administration of the Governor and Government of Altai Krai and the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Barnaul.

On the part of Altai State University, the distinguished guest was received by Vice-Rector for International Affairs Development Roman Raikin, Head of the International Affairs Department Mikhail Domukhovsky, as well as the leading scientists of Altai State University, heads of joint Russian-German scientific and educational projects of the University Marina Silantyeva, Irina Rotanova, and Andrey Bondarovich. The meeting was also attended by lecturer of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Dimitri Krenz.

At the beginning of the meeting, Roman Raikin introduced the flagship Altai State University and informed Mr. Finke about the results and prospects of cooperation between Altai State University and research and educational organizations in Germany. In particular, R. Raikin focused on the main areas of cooperation in such areas as the study of biological diversity, management and monitoring of the environment, management of specially protected natural areas, history and archeology, Altaic and Turkic studies, astrophysics and gamma-astronomy and expressed hope for support of joint initiatives by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Novosibirsk.

Mr. Finke described the areas of work that he supervises and expressed his readiness to promote cooperation in every possible way.

Director of the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, Doctor of Biology M. Silantyeva, Associate Professor of the Department of Physical Geography and Geographic Information Systems, Candidate of Geographical Sciences I. Rotanova, Head of the Joint Master's Program "Environmental Monitoring and Planning", Candidate of Geographical Sciences A. Bonadarovich, and DAAD lecturer D. Krenz briefly described the projects on Russian-German cooperation carried out at Altai State University. Proposals were put forward to strengthen information support for Russian-German cooperation, search for new sources of support for academic mobility, and effective interaction with the German House of Science and Innovation in Moscow (DWIH).

In conclusion, Mr. Finke thanked Altai State University for organizing the meeting and kindly agreed to give lectures for students of Altai State University in the near future.