Cooperation Agreement between Saimaa University of Applied Sciences and St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has been Extended

There was a meeting with the delegates of Saimaa University of Applied Sciences (Lappeenranta, Finland) in St. Petersburg Polytechnic University on April 8, 2015. At the meeting, the counterparts extended the cooperation agreement and coordinated shared activity plans for the next year.

Finnish delegation included Prof. Anneli Pirttilä, the President of Saimaa University, and Prof. Virve Hakamies, the coordinator of Russian-Finnish co-projects. The meeting took place in the Supply Center for International Activity. Russian representatives included Prof. D. G. Arseniev, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Prof. N. I. Vatin, Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering, Prof. A. M. Alexankov, Director of the Institute of International Educational Programs, Prof. S. N. Pogodin, the head of the International Relations Department, and representatives of various institutions of the Polytechnic University.

The counterparts gave a brief overview of their long-term cooperation. They were quite satisfied because both universities are actively involved in co-projects. The cooperation between the universities began in 1997, the initiator being the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Together Saimaa University and the Polytechnic University developed a bachelor's degree program in International Business and launched it 18 years ago. There are some other educational co-programs in Civil Engineering, World Economics, Regional Studies, and International Advertising. There are two biannual short-term student programs (Winter School, Russian in Russia), where professors complete internships and read lectures to the participating students. There is a collection of co-works to be published. Prof. Anneli Pirttilä, the President of Saimaa University, is a Professor Emeritus of the Graduate School of Management of the Polytechnic University.

Moreover, there is some lack of balance – there are much fewer Finnish students visiting St. Petersburg Polytechnic University than Russian students studying at Saimaa University. At the meeting, the counterparts agreed that some campaigns should be held in Saimaa University in order to promote international educational programs developed at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The students themselves also could promote some advantages of studying in St. Petersburg. The Institutes of the Polytechnic University suggested that there should be a co-project – for the students themselves to advertise international educational projects at the partner-universities.