About 300 students to benefit from UB-Russian language centre
Staff Writer | Monday July 17, 2023 06:00
The centre has targeted 300 participants as its first cohort slated for early September 2023.
This was revealed during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the University of Botswana (UB), Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University (PSHPU) and BioTech University respectively.
Representing PSHPU was the Rector, Dr Konstantin Egorov and his counterpart, the Head of International Department, Dr Anastasya Vertyanova, while the Head of the Department for International Cooperation, Dr Pavel Gultiaev stood in for BioTech University.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on the roadmap for the centre, Vertyanova said the first pilot would have a total of 300 students, on completion; some students will be selected to continue into the next phase. She added that a certificate of participation will be awarded however, it will ultimately expand to more academic certificates.
Consequently, through the centre, participants will learn how to read, count, and speak in Russian to be executed via an introductory course offered by Russian instructors from the two institutions.
To this effect, increasing chances of attaining yearly scholarships offered by the Russian government. Lessons will commence physically and continue online.
Moreover, UB and PSHPU, on the framework of the signed MoU will also embark on joint development and methodological support of programmes for the adaptation of students from Botswana entering higher educational institutions in Russia.
The MoU further allows the two parties to conduct seminars, master classes, advanced training courses on the modernisation of the content and technologies of education for their employees.
They will also cooperate in research projects, including but not limited to conducting scientific research on the development of education systems in Botswana and Russia.
“As a first step, we are offering to launch a Centre for Open Education in your University, we will launch the centre in partnership with BioTech University,” pointed out Vertyanova.
She further highlighted that the centre would deal with education programmes for children and adults, citing that the undertaking will strengthen relations between Russia and Botswana.
Meanwhile, UB and Biotech’s collaboration will be aimed at exploring research development programmes in the fields of food sciences, joint research on agreed priority areas, staff, and student exchanges among others.
In his input, Gultiaev alluded to the possibility of establishing a joint food security centre to address food security issues in both countries, adding that they are at an advanced stage hence UB and Botswana can benefit immensely from their technological expertise.
“Food security is crucial, not only in Botswana but the African region, therefore there is a need to posses food processing technologies,” emphasised Dr Gultiaev.
Commenting on the significance of the MoUs, UB’s Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris, said, the University’s transformation agenda speaks to societal impact by the University therefore, acquiring strategic partners remains key to the university.
Noting that both PSHPU and BioTech University will be instrumental in catapulting research and innovation that is aligned with the developmental imperatives of the society.