Cooperation between VSUES and the ASEAN Centre in MGIMO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia - new opportunities for students majoring in "international realtions" and specialists of VSUES

Yulia Kravchenko, Head of the Department of International Academic Mobility of VSUES, visited the ASEAN Centre (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in MGIMO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. The centre is intended to promote the dissemination of information about the Russia-ASEAN dialogue partnership, the development of economic ties, exchanges in the field of science, culture and education.

Following the meeting, the participants agreed on joint events in which VSUES students will take part: videoconferences, seminars, forums, which will reduce the remoteness of Vladivostok, and, along with the centre of Russia, receive new international experience and knowledge.

Yulia Kravchenko, at a meeting with Director of the Centre Victor Sumsky, Associate Professor of the Department of Oriental Studies Ekaterina Koldunova and analyst Valeria Vershinna, spoke about the experience of developing cooperation between VSUES and Lao National University and discussed her upcoming study:

- The topic of my research is “The export potential of universities as a factor in Russia's foreign policy strategy in Southeast Asia (based on the experience of Russian-Lao international cooperation)”, I work under the leadership of Alexander Tushkov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Department of International Relations and Law. The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a full-fledged member of ASEAN and, of course, all the latest and most relevant literature in Russia appears on the shelves of the ASEAN Centre library at MGIMO Russian Foreign Ministry, so I have planned my visit for a long time.

Speaking about the chosen topic for research, Yulia Kravchenko emphasizes:

- As a result, there is a goal - to compete a model by which Russian universities will be able to build relationships with the countries of Southeast Asia on the example of our university, develop partnerships, and influence the image of our country in the international arena through foreign students.

The history of cooperation between VSUES and Laos began in 2013: at that time the first group of students arrived at the Preparatory Department for Foreign Citizens. In 2019, they received diplomas in various areas of training. Currently, 35 students from Laos are studying at VSUES.

The first official delegation of VSUES visited Laos in the spring of 2015. Friendly relations have been established with the Lao National University and the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Laos. The second delegation of our university visited Laos in 2019: an agreement on student exchange was signed between VSUES and Lao National University, working meetings were held with teachers and representatives of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Vientiane, meetings with Lao schoolchildren and students, parents of students studying at VSUES. After the signing of the Cooperation Agreement, VSUES sends a Russian language teacher to Vientiane to improve the language proficiency of Lao students, hold cultural events, and promote information about the benefits of studying at our university.

REFERENCE

ASEAN Centre in MGIMO was officially opened on June 15, 2010, at the new building of the University. The Centre was formed in accordance with the Memorandum signed in July 2009 by ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuvan and Prof. Anatoly Torkunov, the Rector of MGIMO. According to this document, the Centre’s mission is to spread information about the ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership, to facilitate development of economic linkages, cultural, scientific and educational exchanges as well as people-to-people contacts between Russia and the ASEAN member countries, to carry out and support research on problems of ASEAN and its individual members. Dr. Victor Sumsky, a specialist in current history of Southeast Asian countries and international relations in the region, has been appointed to the position of the Centre’s Director. Previously Dr. Sumsky who is a graduate of MGIMO worked for the Soviet Foreign Ministry and the institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences.