Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum started today in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
The forum's tagline is “Developing human capital”. Both ministers of education – Olga Vasilyeva and Yerlan Sagadiev – are present.
Rector Ilshat Gafurov spoke at the opening panel at South Ural State University. He opined that contemporary universities should transform to create an ecosystem with strong scientific teams, pertinent internationalized research, inclusion into global educational programs, and solid links with the business community. The measures of success are employment for graduates, practical innovations in economy, and investment in professional training and education.
Such goals, as the Rector said, are posed for Russian universities today, both in nationwide programs, such as Project 5-100, and in their individual roadmaps. For instance, KFU has determined its priority areas within the University 3.0 strategy (education-research-technology transfer) and has abided by this stance since its establishment in 2010. The University has managed to form a constant feedback loop with its partners and, as a result, has progressed significantly in global rankings.
KFU does not just stop at that, though. Rankings are not the goal per se; they are instruments for external evaluation and international advancement. Further progress towards University 4.0 depends heavily on internationalization and globalization. The ambitious goal is to gradually implement AI elements in the University's day-to-day activities, which will increase its openness to the world and create unique opportunities for every participant of the intellectual ecosystem.
Dr. Gafurov added, “Today KFU can truly be called a bridge of friendship and mutual understanding for different countries. This is helped by the creation of numerous research and education centers of various nations. Of course, the University also has very close ties with Kazakhstan – in academic mobility, research, and industrial cooperation.”
Takeaways from the Forum of Rectors, which includes signings of about 50 memorandums between the universities of the two countries, will become parts of the general recommendations of the 14th Interregional Cooperation Forum.