16 February 2017
February 16th, in the framework of the Association of Leading Universities of Russia, MGIMO hosted a conference devoted to how Russian universities can develop their international activities and improve their competitiveness worldwide.
The conference gathered the rectors and vice-rectors of 32 universities as well as experts and academics from the private and state sectors. The opening ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Association of Leading Universities and Rector of Saint-Petersburg State University Nikolay Kropachev, the Rector of MGIMO University Anatoly Torkunov, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Veniamin Kaganov, the Deputy Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Dmitry Guzhelya, and the Director of the Main State Centre for Education Evaluation Vera Skorobogatova.
Nikolay Kropachev kicked off the conference, speaking of the main objectives of the Association and inviting the audience to discuss how the international interactions of universities should be regulated.
Anatoly Torkunov made a presentation on the objectives of internationalization in higher education and warned about some of the risks associated with this process: the excessive tracking of ratings, the financial challenges of implementing international programs and the deterioration of the quality of education. The Rector also pointed to the best ways of pursuing an effective form of internationalization, through joint research and programs with preferred international partners.
Veniamin Kaganov explained the role played by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science in improving the competitiveness of Russian universities. Dmitry Guzhelya emphasized the importance of the project Russia Study in promoting Russian higher education abroad. Vera Skorobogatova described the tasks taken on by the Main State Centre for Education Evaluation to aide the internationalization of education, such as promoting the mutual recognition of diplomas between countries.
The discussions continued in different sections dedicated to the forms and mechanisms of international cooperation between universities in the spheres of education and science, to the international accreditation of educational programs and to the organization of cooperation with think tanks from abroad and the implementation of joint grants.
— See the MGIMO web-site for more photos and russian version
