International educational and research projects of Murmansk State Technical University Svetlana R. Derkach Murmansk State Technical University Water Biological Resources Development in the Actic Region and International Cooperation Tromso, “Sedov”September 16–17, 2010.

Changes in the Russian higher education system: focus on internationalization General Context New political, economic and social environment Increased mobility of people and flow of capital IT development, global access to Internet Globalization of higher education Tougher competition on the educational market Russia’s signing the Bologna Declaration in

What is the Bologna Process? The Bologna Process is a European reform process aiming to create the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) based on international cooperation and academic exchange Key notions and Objectives Easily readable and comparable degrees: qualifications framework of 3 cycles (Bachelor – Master – PhD) Introduction of ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) Joint Degrees: innovative, cooperative, cross-border study programmes Mobility of staff, students and graduates Recognition of Qualifications Quality Assurance Equal opportunities in higher education Employability: each cycle must be relevant to the labour market Lifelong Learning European Higher Education in the Global Context  The Bologna Declaration was signed in the Italian city of Bologna in  Today the Process unites 47 countries. 3

The Role of International Cooperation for Higher Education Inter-institutional international cooperation contributes to: Increasing mobility of staff and students Enhancing the quality of education programmes Improving the international reputation of the universities Accelerating the recognition of degrees/ diplomas Raising the level of research and development Advancing cultural level and communication skills of students and university staff 4

Forms of International Cooperation and Related Activities in Russian Universities Conclusion of cooperation agreements (bilateral or multilateral) with foreign universities, organizations and enterprises Participation in academic mobility programmes (students, teachers and administrative staff exchanges), invitation of visiting lecturers Implementation of joint projects in research/education/cultural spheres; membership in international consortiums and associations Joint project fundraising activities (grant applications) Organizing international conferences, seminars and workshops Co-authored publications in international scientific journals Developing joint and double degree programmes; internationalizing the existing curriculum, introducing courses taught in English Developing general and specialized courses of Russian as a foreign language 5

Founded in 1950, MSTU is the leading institution in the Murmansk Region training highly qualified staff for all main spheres of economy A university offers a wide range of study programmes including higher professional education, post-graduate, advanced training, retraining programmes both in technical and humanities fields Comprises 10 faculties, Marine Academy, 2 Institutes, College and 2 branches in other cities of the region About 65 specializations and study programmes are offered, including 20 Bachelor’s and 20 Master’s R&D: fundamental and applied research in 11 scientific areas Active participation in international projects and academic exchange programmes; 23 cooperation agreements with foreign partner institutions Murmansk State Technical University 6

MSTU principal partners Norway University of Tromsø The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS), UiT Bodø University College Nordland Research Institute, Bodø Finnmark University College (Alta, Kirkenes) Narvik University College Oslo University College Sweden Luleå University of Technology Umeå University University of Gävle Finland University of Oulu Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences University of Lapland (Rovaniemi) Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences Tampere University of Technology 7

Membership in International Associations MSTU forms part of a number of international associations and unions:  University of the Arctic (UArctic) (Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, USA, Canada)  Barents Cross-Border University (Finland, Russia)  Alliance of Universities (Norway, Russia, Ukraine) 8

Significant attention at MSTU is paid to providing academic mobility of students and staff. MSTU 9

Academic Mobility at MSTU Academic exchange and scholarship programmes: - FIRST (FIRST-Barents, FIRST-Oulu, FIRST-Lapland) - North-2-North - BarentsPlus - Norwegian Quota Scheme - Fellowship Programme for Studies in the High North International Summer Schools: - Oslo University International Summer School (Norway) - Bodø University College (Norway) - Svefi Academi, Haparanda (Sweden) - “Total” Summer School (France) 10

Outgoing Student Mobility represented by Country 11 (over the last 2 years)

Cooperation with Foreign Companies  «Statoil» Agreement between Statoil and MSTU 3-year grant allocated (for ) with the aim to implement research and educational activities in the area of logistics and transport Individual scholarships granted to MSTU students (Faculty of Natural Sciences)  «Total» Cooperation agreement is under development Teacher Association of the “Total” Group (“Total Professeurs Associés”): lecture courses in oil and gas technology arranged for MSTU students “Total” annual summer school: scholarships granted to MSTU students for participation Exhibition of “Total” oil and gas projects to be held at MSTU in the autumn

MSTU Participation in International Projects MSTU takes active part in the development and implementation of various international projects in research and education. 14

Ongoing International Projects  “Alliance of Universities” Project An international union of universities of Norway, Russia and Ukraine Objective: Creation and development of international educational programmes of different levels based on the principles of the Bologna process Project partners: Bodø University College (Norway) Moscow State Institute of International Relations (Russia) Murmansk State Technical University (Russia) Аrkhangelsk State Technical University (Russia) Tyumen State University (Russia) Ukhta State Technical University (Russia) Taurida National University (Simferopol, Ukraine) 15

Ongoing International Projects  Barents Cross-Border University project (BCBU) Objective: Development of joint Finnish-Russian Master's programmes in environmental engineering and comparative social work Project Partners: University of Oulu, University of Lapland (Finland) Karelian State Pedagogical University, Petrozavodsk Murmansk State Pedagogical University Murmansk State Technical University Murmansk Humanities Institute Petrozavodsk State University Pomor State University, Arkhangelsk Financial Support: Kolarctic ENPI CBC Programme Duration: since 2005 up to present moment 21

Ongoing International Projects  Development of a Common Competence Arena in the Sphere of Logistics and Transport in the High North Objectives:  Development of joint study programmes in the area of logistics and transport for the High North regions in accordance with international standards  Teacher competence building  Conducting research activities Coordinator: Bodø Graduate School of Business, Norway Russian partner institutions:  Murmansk State Technical University  Аrkhangelsk State Technical University  Baltic State Technical University Financial Support: Statoil ASA Duration:

Ongoing International Projects  Environmental Evaluation of Revival of Traditional Activities of the Kola North Indigenous People in Connection with the Industrial Development of the Arctic Objectives:  Technological and social investigation of indigenous people’s activities  Environmental monitoring and evaluation of the Northern ecosystems’ condition in the area of industrial impact  Systematization of indigenous people’s observations of the tundra ecosystems Project Partners: MSTU Department of Ecology and Environmental Engineering and “Snowchange” (Finland) Financial Support: Finland’s Consulate General in St.Petersburg Duration:

Ongoing International Projects  Cross-Border Cooperation in the Russian and Norwegian Fishery Industries: Northern Norway - Murmansk Initiative Objectives:  Development of cross-border cooperation between fishing companies in Northern Norway and Murmansk  Investigating the opportunities for creation of a cross-border fisheries cluster and its role in strengthening the cooperation within fisheries industry Project Partners: MSTU and Finnmark University College Financial Support: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duration:

Ongoing International Projects  Ecological and Morphological Investigations of Marine Fish Reproduction Objectives:  Development of joint training courses  Conducting research and development related to marine fish species’ reproduction Project Partners: - Murmansk State Technical University, Faculty of Biology - Northern Research Institute (NORUT), Norway - Bodø University College, Norway Financial Support: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19

Ongoing International Projects  Young Researchers Crossing Borders Objective: Establishing contacts between Russian and Norwegian educational institutions and research organizations in order to build a cross-border network of young researchers Project Partners: University of Trømso, Trømso Municipality (Norway) Murmansk Region’s Ministry of Education and Science Murmansk State Technical University Murmansk State Pedagogical University Murmansk Humanities Institute Financial Support: Norwegian Barents Secretariat Duration:

Challenges for International Cooperation Development Lack of necessary human, financial and technical resources Cultural differences Language barriers Low level of motivation Unbalanced education legislation and difficulties in implementing ECTS 22

Solutions and Further Plans  Facilitating cross-cultural understanding through intense involvement in international cooperation activities  Greater focus on strengthening foreign language skills of students and staff  More efforts in joint fundraising activities with foreign partners  Raising awareness on the principles of the Bologna process and practical ways of their implementation 23

Thank you for attention! Svetlana Derkach, DSc, Professor MSTU Vice-Rector for Research Tel