Former diplomat of the Russian Embassy in Myanmar, VSUES graduate Vitaliy Novikov: I chose the university because of the best school of political science

Vitaliy Novikov graduated from VSUES in 2010 with a degree in International Relations, from 2014 to 2018 he worked in a diplomatic position at the Russian Embassy in Myanmar, and then moved to New Zealand, where he completed his master's degree in Business Management and was engaged in entrepreneurial activity. The successful graduate visited his home university to deliver a lecture to students majoring in international relations who have yet to prove themselves in the diplomatic service.

Roman Grivanov, Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations and Law of VSUES, Candidate of Political Sciences, introducing the speaker, noted that working as a diplomat is not a dream, but a very real prospect, since three VSUES students are already undergoing internship at the Russian Foreign Ministry's office in Vladivostok:

-Our plans are to expand the practice not only in Vladivostok, but also in other constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and in foreign missions,- Roman Grivanov emphasized. - Let me remind you that you are doing long-term internship in your fourth year, and by that time, I hope, we will work out this issue, and you will have a real opportunity to start building a career in the Russian Foreign Ministry.

 At the lecture, Vitaliy Novikov spoke about his studies at the university, the specifics of working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia and abroad, as well as the prospects for overseas internships. Speaking about the main tasks of the department, the speaker noted the building of good and mutually beneficial relations with foreign countries.

 - Methods for achieving this goal include studying the political and socio-economic situation in specific countries and in the international arena in general, and negotiations on certain issues should be conducted from the standpoint of respect for opponents, - explained Vitaliy Novikov.

The former diplomat told the students what is the difference between the diplomatic and consular services, introduced them to the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the opportunities for internships in the embassies, recommended books that introduce the peculiarities of the work of diplomats.

 Vitaliy Novikov noted that apart from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international affairs specialists are in demand in a number of other Russian ministries and departments:

 - For example, the Ministry of Economic Development, which oversees our trade missions and is responsible for cross-border economic cooperation, or Rosatom, which partners with foreign countries on the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, need graduates of your field of study.

After the lecture, the students actively asked questions, being interested in, among other things, the reason for choosing a profession and a university.

 -I wanted to be a diplomat since the ninth grade, - the guest admitted, - that is why I chose political science. At that time, VSUES had the strongest school of political science and international relations, headed by Professor, Doctor of Political Sciences Mikhail Yuryevich Shinkovsky.

 - Today I heard a lot of useful information, which, I think, I will use in my future profession. It was interesting to learn about Vitaliy's work experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his current job in New Zealand, -said Madina Talipova, a 2 nd year student of the International Relations direction.

Her classmate Catherine Thiers emphasized the value of direct communication with an expert in the diplomatic sphere:

- It was interesting to listen to a person who is so interested in his profession. The speaker gave a lot of useful advice that can help me develop as a specialist. I will try to use them.

 Photos are provided by Valeria Solodun, a student of the College of Fashion and Beauty Industry of VSUES, and from the personal archive of Vitaliy Novikov.