Enhancing partnerships between the Ural State University of Economics (USUE), Russia, and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), a delegation visited the University of Sri Jayewardenepura on 24th July 2023.
The warm welcome was extended to the delegates by Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, USJ. Taking the initiative in guiding the discussion, Prof. Heenkenda provided a brief introduction to the university, followed by an introductory video of the university.
Representing USUE, Associate Professor Roman Krasnov, the Vice-Rector for Social Affairs and Youth Policy provided an informative overview and clarified the purpose of the visit. Emphasizing the opportunities for potential collaborations, he expressed a keen interest in partnering with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to establish exchange programmes for students, establish cooperation between the two universities, establish a Russian language and cultural centre, introduce short courses such as certificates or diploma catering tourism industry, and online joint programmes. In addition, he highlighted that the subjects based on the tourism industry such as Economics, ICT, Finance, and Tourism would be highly practical in coping with the curriculum.
Furthermore, he indicated specific areas where opportunities could be provided. He demonstrated the chance for students to enroll in any federal institution in Russia upon the completion of the course. The benefits of network education were also discussed, while Ms. Wathsala Madhuwanthi, lecturer in Russian Language explained the current status of Russian language teaching and the challenges, and discussed the possible collaboration for Russian teacher training and staff exchange with Russian higher education institutes, scholarship opportunities for the students for language stays in Russia, and the promotion of cultural events.
The undergraduates from the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies, and Performing Arts also joined the meeting.
