In September this year, Tomsk State University will start training Master’s students in a new pilot programme - Siberia: Resources and Modern Practices of Regional Development (Russian Studies: Siberia). The programme is aimed at international students and will train specialists that implement international projects with the participation of Russia and its regions.
This Master’s programme is engaged with the active development of international and cross-border partnership of the Russian regions, note its creators. Knowledge of the specifics of the region, features of its economic development, its social and cultural life, and the sphere of management is necessary for the success of international projects.
- The main objective of this Master’s programme is to prepare an expert who is able and willing to work with Siberia and in Siberia - says Dmitry Haminov, the programme manager. - Foreign governments, private companies, and other entities have a huge interest in the region. And we invite to this programme those who want to learn how to work with Siberia.
The Master’s students will receive in-depth knowledge of the Russian language for business, economics, contemporary politics, and the history and culture of Siberia. They will explore the unique specifics of the region and will have wide experience with project activities.
For graduation all students will be required to prepare their project, for example, to create a recreational business in Siberia or branding the regions and territories. It is noted that Master’s students will carry out these projects with the programme's partners: public organizations working in Siberia, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, public authorities, and local self-government.
- We will not give absolutely unnecessary clutter of theoretical or factual knowledge. Our programme is practice-oriented, - stressed Dmitry Haminov. - Upon completion of training, students will not write a big work but will create a specific projects working effectively in Siberia and Russia.
Despite the fact that the programme is designed for international students, its training will be conducted in Russian. Now applications are coming from entrants from Southeast and Central Asia. It is noted that the citizens of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan have a right to receive state-financed places in the framework of international agreements.