International Forum Russian Education as an Opportunity Space organized by Tomsk State University started in New Delhi today.
The Forum aims to strengthen ties between the countries and to contribute to the development of joint educational projects and programs.
Professors, postgraduate, and undergraduate students of the largest higher education institutions of Russia and India arrived to the Forum.
"Forums like this one are crucial to the popularization of Russian culture and education abroad", says Arseniy Starkov, chief specialist-expert of Rossotrudnichestvo. "Studying abroad in English is very popular among the young population of India, that is why it's important for as many Russian universities as possible to offer degree programs taught in English, especially in medical and engineering departments".
The Forum will continue in Delhi. Over the next three days the participants will discuss educational potential of Russia, Russian culture in the European context, and the ways of development of the universities. There are workshops, poster exhibitions, and photo exhibitions planned. The working language of the Forum is Russian.
"The Forum is very important because our students and professors can get up-to-date information about Russian universities, opportunities for professional training, and current research trends", says Sonu Saini, assistant professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Jawaharlal Nehru University and TSU signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2015. The universities have a student exchange program and hold joint scientific events.
"TSU for me is a "window to Russia", says Sonu Saini. "Students who have been to Tomsk say that they like it a lot and want to go back someday".
The III Official work group meeting of the Global Universities Association is scheduled to take place during the Forum.
The Forum is held with the support of the Association of Russian and Indian Universities. Tomsk State University and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay are the coordinators of the Association. The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) also took part in the organization of the Forum. The organization of the Forum was supported by a grant from the Federal Special Purpose Program Russian Language in the amount of 1.6 million rubles.