Delegation from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) visited the National University of Public Service between 3-6 December, 2017. As part of the visit, the delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NUPS, and also participated in a workshop at the faculty of International and European Studies. The delegation, which comprised of 5 people, was headed by Dr. Vladimir Morozov Vice-Rector for Human Resources at MGIMO.
MGIMO University is one of the leading universities of the Russian Federation that has a strong international presence, global aims and strives for innovation. During the course of its 70 year-long history, from a “diplomacy school” it developed into an institution recognized world-wide. One of the peculiarities of MGIMO is the fact that they educate their students in 53 foreign languages, something that has been recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Furthermore, the university has high quality infrastructure, many international connections, as underlined by the fact that from the 6000 students at this institution, more than 10% are internationals. MGIMO considers training professionals, who are able to cope with the most complex international problems as its main aim.
The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. András Patyi, Rector of NUPS, Dr. habil. Györgyi Nyikos acting Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Norbert Kis, Dean of the Faculty of Science of Public Governance and Administration, and Dr. Boglárka Koller, Dean of the Faculty of International and European Studies. Following the greeting of the delegation the rector of NUPS highlighted the importance of the latest faculty of NUPS: The Faculty of Water Sciences in Baja, Hungary is searching for the solution to one of our greatest problems, the lack of fresh water supply, and this is an important part NUPS’s profile. Prof. Dr. Patyi also talked about the four doctoral programs of NUPS, which is hopefully augmented by a fifth program in the field of international studies in the future. Dr. Nyikos Györgyi, Vice-Rector of International Affairs noted that she sees many opportunities for cooperation, and also stated that financial support is available for such cooperation, and it has to used too.
In the next part of the meeting the respective leaders of the Faculty of Science of Public Governance and Administration and of the Faculty of International and European Studies introduced their faculties, the research programs, while also mentioning the opportunities in mobility. Dr. Vladimir Morozov, leader of the Russian delegation stated his enthusiasm for taking part in various joint conferences and publications, and also welcomed the representatives of NUPS to such events in Moscow. The meeting was concluded by the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
As part of MGIMO’s programme, two workshops were held on December 4-5. One of them dealt with the regional integration and international cooperation models. On the “Transregional and integration models” workshop, organized by NUPS in cooperation with MGIMO, presentations were held by Dr. Vladimir Morozov Vice-Rector for Human Resources at MGIMO, Prof. Dr. Alexei Voskressenski, Head of Chinese Studies and Regional Projects Centre, Dr. Anna Kireeva, associate professor and Dr. Ekaterina Koldunova, Vice-Dean. From NUPS’ side, the participants were Dr. habil. Boglárka Koller, Dean, Prof. Dr. Zoltán Szenes, Dr. Tamás Szemlér and Dr. Péter Rada, Vice-Dean. A workshop paper is going to be published, in close cooperation between NUPS and MGIMO, with the presentations delivered during the session.
On the “Good practices and innovations in language education” workshop, Prof. Dr. Irina Mazaieva, Head of the English Language Department at MGIMO, Dr. Éva Jakusné Harnos, Head of the Language Centre at the Faculty of International and European Studies and György Budai, language professor introduced and discussed new methods and ideas in professional language education and the ways of assessing language competence including its possible future forms.
Text by: Gabriella Karlivna Antal and Julianna Szigeti