By Vestnik Kavkaza
Today Russia marks Knowledge Day. Thousands of pupils and students are going to schools and universities, some of them doing it for the first time in their lives. Education is one of the most important social spheres in society’s life. It should not only prepare the next generation for life from the point of view of their future jobs, but also teach them the right values and directions in life. Global processes are reflected in the educational sphere in terms of implementation of new technologies and development of joint projects with other countries. One such project is the establishment of the joint Russian-Chinese University.
According to Victor Sadovnichy, the rector of Moscow State University, the unique idea of establishing such a university was born for the first time in the histories of our countries two years ago: “We have been developing the idea of establishing the university for two years, and a lot has been done. First of all, several memorandums and documents on intention were signed. One of the documents was signed during the May visit of Vladimir Putin to China. On September 5th I will sign the foundation agreement in Beijing, i.e. this will be the final document on establishing the joint Russian-Chinese University.”
Victor Sadovnichy said that this university is being established by Moscow State University and Beijing Technological University in Shenzhen. “This is a special zone of China near Guangzhou. The government allocated 30 ha. China promises to build a campus of the joint university. And they intend to do it within 10 months of the beginning of construction. And they will do it,” the MSU rector is sure.
After signing the foundation agreement, they will start to develop a programme. Students will study in three languages: Russian, English, and Chinese. Graduates will receive diplomas from MSU and the joint Russian-Chinese University which will be established.
The rector of MSU stresses that it wasn’t an easy decision for either country, as they had no such experience. “But almost all questions have been settled. And after signing the foundation agreement (I fly to Beijing for one day), we hope the doors will be opened for the start of construction. And in 2015 we will welcome the first students; probably the first lessons will be held in a different place, as we won’t be able to construct it by 2015,” Sadovnichy hopes.
Initially, the university will welcome 500 students for 8 majors. Later the number of students will increase to 5000 students for each year, and overall there will be about 15,000 students. Victor Sadovnichy stated that it is a great responsibility and serious politicians and social activists are involved in the project: “The chairman of the Supervisory Board is Sergey Naryshkin. The Board also includes Sechin, Yakunin, and other prominent people.”
