The Rector of the Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University held a working meeting with representatives of Latin American universities. Delegations from Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Ecuador took part in the meeting.
The delegation came to the city on the Neva River as observers to the International Congress "Africa is looking for solutions", within the framework of which an agreement on the creation of a consortium of universities "Subsoil of Africa" was signed. This document provides for the implementation of a number of strategic partnership programmes, from opening branches of domestic universities to modernising the continent's higher education systems along the lines of the Russian model. The forum was organised by the oldest technical university of our country.
Having assessed the scale of the event and the prospects of the signed agreement, the representatives of Latin America expressed their desire to create an identical collaboration and to invite Mining University as a coordinator. The meeting with the rector of the university Vladimir Litvinenko was devoted to the discussion of this initiative.
The presidents, directors, vice-rectors and deans of foreign universities indicated their deep interest in developing further co-operation. In particular, they are talking about joint research in such fields as ecology, geology, mining and metallurgy, organisation of academic exchange of students, postgraduates and teachers, preparation of joint educational programmes, scientific publications and professional development of their own staff. This will be achieved by uniting the efforts of higher education in the countries concerned.
"The opportunity to witness the formation of a Consortium between Mining University and the main higher education institutions on the African continent was a very interesting and enriching experience. The idea of creating such a higher education network is a win-win for our countries. My visit to St Petersburg allowed me and my colleagues to get acquainted with the academic model that Mining University is currently implementing in its curricula. In my opinion, its adaptation to our reality will help strengthen the mining industry, train highly qualified specialists with industrial experience, and promote research and technological development," said Patricia Kay, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the Bolivian University of San Andrés.
It should be noted that by now St Petersburg university has partner relations with many educational institutions in South America. Our professors, in particular, give cycles of lectures for students from this continent, not only online, but also in person, within the framework of the summer schools of the Mining University, where young people from almost all regions of the world take part. In addition, a Russian Language Club was opened at the Yachay Technical University in Ecuador for young people who later plan to study in Russia.
"During the visit, colleagues familiarised themselves with Russia's higher education system and were very impressed. For example, representatives of the management of the State University of Minas Gerais noted for themselves the clear division of the educational process into lectures, laboratory work and practice. Only after mastering theoretical knowledge do students get access to the laboratory, where they consolidate the material, and at the end of the semester they go for industrial practice. In Brazil, learning is different: there is no separate time for practical training. Theory and laboratory work can be mixed in one class, with very limited time devoted to the latter. Brazilian universities are not satisfied with the results of this approach. That is why they are ready to test the Russian model," said Valeria Quiros.
The leadership of the International Mining and Metallurgical Community of Peru SIMIM was also "surprised at the way Russia works with its students and scientists".
"We would like to continue our co-operation with Gorny. The support of such a strong university can play an important role in developing the competences of students and professionals in Peru. Gaining new knowledge and producing new technologies within the envisaged network of universities in Russia and Latin America will be able to change and make our nations stronger," says SIMIM CEO Omar Espinoza.