International Forum “International Polytechnic Week - 2018”
“Strategic Partnership. Focus on Ibero-America”
Dates: May 14-20, 2018
In the period of May, 14-20, 2018 the International Forum “International Polytechnic Week - 2018” was held. Over about 20 universities took part in the International Polytechnic Week 2018, including the Technical University of Madrid (Spain), University of Porto (Portugal), University of Hannover (Germany), Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) (Germany), Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) (Finland), and others. Six universities from Spanish-speaking countries were represented at the International Polytechnic Week. In addition to the traditionally expected Spain and Portugal, colleagues from Ecuador took part in the IPW for the first time. Both foreign colleagues and guests from leading Russian universities appreciated the high level of organization. IPW 2018 was full of various events: business meetings, negotiations, conferences, discussions, seminars, student exhibitions, educational program fairs and a rich cultural program. During the Week the participants enjoyed a boat trip along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg and attended a concert of classical music in the White Hall of the Polytechnic University.
This year the Polytechnic Week was focused on developing partnerships with the countries of the Ibero-American community. The first day was fully dedicated to this topic. The work program started with the seminar “Development of cooperation with the countries of Ibero-America”. It was divided into two parts: the first one presented the background of successful partnership between Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). In the second part of the seminar there was organized a discussion on this topic. During the discussion, workshop participants shared a number of useful ideas and best practices. A pleasant surprise for Spanish-speaking partners was the festival “Cultural cooperation of Russia and Ibero-America”, where SPbPU students made a range of performances.
The central event for all participants of the International Polytechnic Week (IPW) was the plenary session. Over the years, it has become a platform for representatives from universities and companies from all over the world to discuss strategies for developing cooperation, best practices and achievements over the year.
The event was opened by SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Relations D.G. ARSENYEV. On behalf of St. Petersburg Administration the representative of the Committee for Science and Higher School, Director of the Coordination Center of International Scientific, Technical and Educational Programs Y.A. SNISARENKO welcomed the participants. Welcoming the audience on behalf of the Ibero-American community the coordinator of the Technical University of Madrid responsible for cooperation with Russia, Ms. Dolores Herrero, noted the importance of holding events such as the IPW, since they contribute to the expansion of international inter-university cooperation and strengthening of existing ties.
Cooperation day continued with a seminar devoted to the development of cooperation within the framework of the European ERASMUS+ programs.
The Students Day within the frame of the International Polytechnic Week (IPW) became not only an international youth event but a day organized by students for students. Within the frame of their project activities, a team of students from the “Advertising and PR" department of the Humanitarian Institute (HI) of SPbPU had developed advertising and information materials and provided for promotion and covering of the event in various resources. Thanks to well-coordinated teamwork of the SPbPU international services and HI students, about 200 Russian and foreign participants attended the Students Day. Within the frame of the Students Day, young people exercised their skills in speaking foreign languages, took part in an exciting quest, and had other contests. The most active and goal-oriented ones got valuable prizes.
