On January 14, 2021, SamGUPS hosted a working meeting with heads of international departments of Samara’s universities. The meeting focused on creating an expert group on international activities for higher education institutions in the Samara Region.
The meeting was attended by Alexandra Shabalina, Director of the Center for International Relations (CMS) at SamGUPS, along with CMS staff, Sergey Titz, Head of the International Affairs Department at Samara University, Yevgeniy Chursin, Head of the Mobility and Recruitment Department at Samara University and Vitaliy Roshchupkin, Director of the Regional Centre for the Development of Public Diplomacy and International Relations named after Yevgeniy M.Primakov.
According to Sergey Titz, the region is working on a concept for creating an expert group of representatives of international centers, services and departments of Samara universities at the site of the Regional Centre for the Development of Public Diplomacy and International Relations named after Yevgeniy M.Primakov. One of its key objectives is to train qualified professionals in international cooperation for universities of the Samara region.
Titz also emphasized that this expert community is vital for attracting foreign applicants to local universities, resolving legal issues related to the stay of international students in the region, and promoting the region’s brand internationally.
Education is a key component of non-resource-based exports, therefore not only universities, but also representatives of regional administrations and the business community are interested in developing and strengthening international relations in the field of science and education.
Samara University and SamGUPS already have a strong foundation — with unique educational practices, scientific and technical products, and international training programs. In cooperation with industrial partners of universities, the expert community on international activities will increase the presence of products of Samara region enterprises in foreign markets, which will attract additional investments into the region’s economy.
By the end of January, it is planned to form the main pool of universities, and in early February, to hold the first organizational meeting at the the Regional Centre for the Development of Public Diplomacy and International Relations named after Yevgeniy M. Primakov. Participants will identify key challenges in building partnerships with foreign institutions and draft a collaboration program involving departmental structures, as well as a roadmap for further work.