See other releases of corporate mass media
“Teaching the Russian language is a competitive advantage for foreign universities”
— According to TASS calculations, the number of international students in Russian universities over the past five years has increased by more than 20%. Most often, applicants to Russian universities come from China, Vietnam, the CIS countries, Asia and the Middle East. One form of attracting foreign students to our universities is Russian education fairs held around the world. An example of such an event is the presentation of 20 Russian universities, which took place online at the Russian House in Colombo (Sri Lanka) in January.
How efficient is this form of attracting international applicants? What other formats and means do you use in this area?
— 2,700 foreigners from 68 countries study at Ural State University of Economics. This results from many years of well-coordinated and thorough work. We achieved such indicators through intensive work in international cooperation.
To develop inter-university relations, the university actively participates in student exchange programs, takes part in international educational exhibitions, and interacts with the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs and Rossotrudnichestvo. These agencies represent the interests of Russia in other countries. They are well aware of the national and cultural traditions, customs, characteristics and interests of the youth in foreign countries and we consider their opinions. To date, USUE has 153 cooperation agreements with universities from 44 countries.
We promote the study of the Russian language abroad. A specialized center has already been opened in Cairo (Egypt). A project in Sri Lanka, at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is at its final stage of approval. Negotiations are currently underway with the University of South Africa in Pretoria. Foreign partners are interested in cooperation of this kind. Teaching Russian is a competitive advantage for foreign universities in the education market in their country. This format really brings forth excellent results. People learn the language without leaving their homeland thereby becoming familiar with Russian culture. One can solidify the knowledge at the USUE Preparatory Faculty. Today, 450 foreigners study there. A document confirming the completion of the Preparatory Faculty’s course gives a foreigner the opportunity to enter any university in the country.
A unique format for attracting foreign applicants to USUE is the holding of the Eurasian Economic Youth Forum. Last April, representatives from 107 countries took part in it. Young people discuss the prospects for cooperation in real time in different interaction formats: public lectures, reports, discussions, congresses, meetings with ambassadors, and, of course, competitions and Olympiads, and there are almost 50 of them! This is an excellent opportunity to show the entire world how they live in Russia and the Urals, to see the level of education in the country, and what path the state is following. This year we expect over 12 thousand participants.
