Vestnik Kavkaza
Six weeks of work by the Eurasian Economic Union have shown that the fate of integration depends not only on how attractive to partners the Russian economy will be, but also on how cooperation in the humanitarian sphere will develop, where there is no systematic approach. However, according to the rector of the Moscow State University of M.V Lomonosov, Viktor Sadovnichy, "a society is a unity of cultures that have common historical roots, a common historical path, where there is a mentality."
Speaking of a single educational space, Sadovnichy noted that, for ten years already, five branches of Moscow State University are working in CIS countries: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan Uzbekistan and Ukraine, Sevastopol, which has now become a Russian region.
"These branches, except for Sevastopol, were created by the will of the presidents of those countries. Unique campuses were constructed there. These are huge costs. And over the years, these five branches have produced tens of thousands of elite representatives in these countries. This is a diploma of Moscow State University, the freely-spoken Russian language, these are people that studied at Moscow University for a year. We are confident that they will accordingly assess the situations and our relations."
According to the rector of Moscow State University, the affiliates are not required to and did not spend a penny of the state budget of the Russian Federation, but now Moscow must support them.
"These states are in need of our education system. Because it is largely present in these institutions, there is a clear, common language, common terminology research, proximity of spaces and mentality."
In addition, since 1992 there has been the Eurasian Association of Universities. Now there are one hundred universities. 20 of them are Russian and 20 are other CIS countries. "Every year we participate at our meetings, forums. The next event will be held in St. Petersburg on March 19 during the Economic Forum. We develop common research programs, common curricula, textbooks of general use and support the common educational space. It is a very good vector that should be maintained," Sadovnichy believes.
At the same time, for about 10 years there has been a forum of the scientific and creative elite of the countries of the Commonwealth. "It takes place at sites in these countries and gathers thousands of intellectuals in each country. In particular, it was held Kiev, and in other countries. We must not let it fade away," Sadovnichy says.
Saying that one of the cultural centers of Ukraine is the Kiev National University, the Rector of Moscow State University told the historical fact of the history of its formation: "Dinner at Moscow University with Professor Davidov. There is Alexander Pushkin participating. Here comes Professor Maksimovic of Moscow University and speaks to Pushkin: "I was appointed as the first rector of the Kiev University of St. Vladimir. Pushkin replied: "That's fine, you have done so much for the culture of Ukraine, and I did something for the culture of Russia. Become the rector of the University of Kiev, and let us work for the good of our great nations.” And Maksimovic says: "Can I bring Gogol with me? He agrees to go." This story, according to Sadovnichy, can be considered an indication of how common culture was born.
