SPbPU at the First Forum of Rectors of Russia and Thailand

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University took part in the First Forum of Rectors of Russia and Thailand. The event was organized by the Russian Union of Rectors and Lomonosov Moscow State University. The Forum was supported by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Thailand, St. Petersburg Government and the Rectors Council of St. Petersburg.

The Forum of Rectors of Russia and the Kingdom of Thailand became the first big university congress of the two countries with over a century history of diplomatic relations. The event was focused on the enhancement of humanitarian ties, implementation of academic and student exchange programs between universities, as well as research and business development. In total, exhibition, strategic sessions and round tables were organized for about 30 leading universities from Russia and Thailand that joined the Forum.

SPbPU took an active part in all the events of the Forum. At the strategic session “Education and Science” on behalf of the university, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Professor Dmitry ARSENIEV presented the key areas of SPbPU activities and made specific proposals for developing cooperation with Thai universities both in the field of education and international cooperation. Thus, students from Thailand have the opportunity to enter the Polytechnic University by taking part in the Open Doors Olympiad. It is a Russian national program that offers scholarships to winners to take Master's and postgraduate programs at the best universities in Russia. As well, applicants from Thailand have the opportunity to enter SPbPU using quotas and scholarships provided by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Russian Federation, that are implemented through Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russian Centers for Science and Culture at the Embassies, in particular, in Thailand. The famous International Polytechnic Summer and Winter Schools, which offer a wide range of short-term international educational programs in English, will also be available to students from Thailand.

In particular, SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs underlined the importance of developing scientific partnerships, including relying on the capabilities and potential of the World-Class Research Center of the Polytechnic University, and invited professors and researchers from Thailand to participate in joint research in advanced areas, to conduct experiments in the laboratories of the Polytechnic University, as well as in joint conferences and publications. “We propose to attract innovative companies to support the joint research of our scientists. In addition, we hope that we will have the opportunity to receive state support for the development of cooperation in science and education in the form of special competitions, grants and relevant funds,” Dmitry ARSENIEV noted.

At the end of the speech, SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs invited colleagues from Thailand to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the Polytechnic University in 2024. 

Representatives of the International Office and SPbPU higher schools took part in the round tables and the exhibition. Thus, a meeting of employees of international cooperation departments took place in the format of three sessions. Elena IOPEL, Director of SPbPU Expert Center for Credential Evaluation, spoke about SPbPU's experience in recognizing foreign qualifications, and Elizaveta SUKHOVA, Deputy Head of the Department of International Educational Programs and Academic Mobility, presented a report “Mutual recognition of academic load according to the Bologna system”. Head of the International Educational Programs and Academic Mobility Department Olga EMELYANOVA at the second session presented summer and winter schools as a tool for the internationalization of the university. And, finally, at the final session, Pavel NEDELKO, Deputy Director of the Higher School of International Educational Programs, made a presentation on SPbPU volunteer programs to support foreign students in the era of a pandemic.

Prepared by the SPbPU International Office