Polytechnic University at the conference of heads of Russian and Turkish universities

On November 30, Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei RUDSKOI participated in the online conference of Russian and Turkish university heads devoted to the Turkish-Russian cooperation in science and education in the context of the pandemic. The organizer was the Committee on Science and Education of the Turkish-Russian Public Forum under the High-Level Cooperation Council Russia-Turkey, which is chaired by the President of the Russian Federation and the President of the Republic of Turkey.

The key topic of the online conference was the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of education and science under pandemic conditions, review of the current situation and prospects. Altogether, more than 10 heads of leading Russian and Turkish universities, including M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, I.I. Mechnikov North-West State Medical University, Bosphorus University, Ankara University, and others joined the event. The participants were greeted by the co-chairmen of the Committee on Science and Education of the Turkish-Russian Public Forum, Rector of the Southern Federal University Professor Inna SHEVCHENKO, and Rector of Altynbash University Professor Cagri ERHAN.

The first online conference of the heads of universities of Russia and Turkey was held in July 2020, then it was devoted to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Polytechnic University took an active part in both conferences. This year the speech of the Rector of SPbPU, RAS Academician Andrei RUDSKOI was devoted to the possibilities of academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries and the challenges faced by universities around the world in the post-pandemic era. In particular, the Rector of Polytechnic University made a proposal to initiate and launch bilateral Russian-Turkish programs to support student and teacher mobility at the state level, based on the accumulated experience. Another proposal by Politex was to use the achievements and developments of the international CEPHEI project. The international educational project «Joint e-learning platform for higher education programs in the field of industrial innovation (CEPHEI)» involves leading universities in Europe, Russia, and Turkey.

The Rector of SPbPU also spoke about the expediency of developing comprehensive cooperation between Russian and Turkish universities in the field of modern construction technologies, taking into account the introduction of modern digital technologies and new materials in construction. Here the university can offer the launch of interdisciplinary specialized training and advanced training programs; joint project activities, industrial practice, and internships for Russian and Turkish students at relevant sites. There is already a successful example of such interstate cooperation: it is a comprehensive project implemented by Polytechnic together with Rosatom State Corporation to train specialists for Akkuyu Nuklear nuclear power industry. Today, more than 70 Turkish students are studying at SPbPU as part of this program and are preparing to start work at Turkey’s first nuclear power plant. In total, more than 130 Turkish students are studying in different programs at Polytechnic University.

The potential of the World-class research center «Advanced digital technologies» established on the basis of SPbPU, which today unites more than 35 research laboratories in the most advanced areas, can significantly influence the development of Russian-Turkish cooperation. The new concept of the «Technopolis Polytech» SPbPU campus, created thanks to the university’s inclusion in the Federal Program of Strategic Academic Leadership «Priority 2030», also opens up great opportunities.

The possibilities of SPbPU Technopolis as an integrator of breakthrough scientific and technological development, providing digitalization processes in the key areas of science, education and industry for the country, combined with the World-class research center «Advanced digital technologies» development program within Priority-2030 Program, as well as the level of Polytechnic specialists allow us to launch a comprehensive cooperation and training program for modern production and digital economy of the Republic of Turkey, said Andrei RUDSKOI.

In addition to the joint work in the framework of scientific and educational cooperation, the rector of SPbPU emphasized the importance of the development of public diplomacy. As president of the Friendship Society with Turkey, Andrei RUDSKOI said that the university pays great attention to organizing events with Russian and Turkish youth, especially students. On October 23 in Antalya the grand opening of the Leo Tolstoy Russian-Turkish Friendship Park and a bust of the great writer took place. This event has become a significant event in the development of cultural relations between Russia and Turkey. The initiative to create the park came from the Russian Society of Antalya, and the Russian Association for International Cooperation and the Turkish Friendship Society donated the bust of Leo Tolstoy.

Both the Polytechnic University and other participating universities noted the importance of sustainable development in today’s realities. The Rector of SPbPU emphasized that joining efforts of universities in Russia and Turkey in the interests of sustainable development of digital, distance education and improving its quality is one of the guarantees for the development of comprehensive long-term cooperation between the countries.

In our partnership we proceed from national interests and tasks of interstate development, while actively applying the experience of other countries and regions, using and attracting external resources to support joint activities, emphasized Andrei RUDSKOI. Extensive partnerships with the leading universities of the Republic of Turkey allow us to use a variety of opportunities.

Prepared by the SPbPU International Office