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Proceedings of the MSTU, vol.1, No.1, 1998 pp.171-172
The Arctic International University Centre as a Step on the Way to a Common System of Higher Education in the Euro-Arctic Region
Victor F. Shtykov
Electro-Engineering Department of the MSTU, Electrical Equipment Chair
Abstract. This article is a paper of the author on the International Conference "Northern Universities" which took place from 16 to 18 October 1997 in the MSTU.
1. Introduction
One of the gravest consequences of the economic experiments taking place in Russia is sharp reduction of the number of specialists arriving in the Murmansk region from central regions of Russia. At the same time the deterioration of the socio-economic situation makes it impossible for the majority of Murmansk young people to obtain higher education in the universities of the central Russia. It is a very serious problem, because each year secondary schools of the Murmansk region turn out about 10,000 school graduates. Maybe the processes mentioned above will cause degradation of scientific-technological and cultural potential of the Murmansk region in future and, therefore, they constitute a serious danger to the sustainable development of the Murmansk region.
Therefore, our region needs a regional system of the higher education enabling the people living here to receive high-quality education without going far from their home. The solution of this problem is quite possible by means of integration of higher educational and research institutions in the Murmansk region.
2. Results
One of the integration project at the regional level has been implemented by the MSTU and the Kola Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (KSC) by means of establishing joint training departments. These are: the Apatity branch of the MSTU Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Chair of "Geology and Mineral Resourses" on the basis of Geological Institute of the KSC, the Chair of "Mining Art" on the basis of Institute of Mines of the KSC, the Chair of "Industrial Ecology" on the basis of Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the KSC, the "Chemical Technologies" Chair on the basis of Institute of Chemistry of the KSC.
In short time this policy has made it possible to arrange high-quality training of specialists in new directions "Geology and Mineral Resources Prospecting", "Oil and Gas Engineering", "Ecology and Nature Management", "Chemistry", "Mining Art" and others. The integration into this system of foreign higher schools, especially those ones in the neighbouring northern countries, will contribute considerably to the viability of the new system.
It is known that higher schools in the neighbouring Scandinavian countries reduce the enrolment, sometimes they terminate training specialists in some lines which are of importance for the Murmansk region now, for example, specialists in civil engineering and communal services, economy, mining art and others.
The above-mentioned integration will provide: firstly, the formation in the Euro-Arctic region of Russia of new socio-cultural environment susceptible to modern and prospective ecologically safe, energy and resource saving technologies by means of training competent experts, having to wide socio-economic and technical outlook and professional mobility; secondly, wider and more flexible conditions for residents of the Russia's Euro-Arctic region to get education, qualification, profession at the desired level, satisfying their individual needs; thirdly, the protection and development of cultural and intellectual potential of the Euro-Arctic region.
The international block of the above-said regional system of higher education may be represented by a system of further training the students of the Euro-Arctic universities, having the Bachelor's Degree. On finishing of the course of studies these students are qualified as Masters of Science. The Russian education standard provides a good opportunity for establishing joint higher education programmes. For example, the Education Bachelor's Degree standard for the academic direction 553200 "GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTING OF MINERAL RESOURCES" includes about 1,700 hours for optional theoretic education which may be used as the University decides. Our international cooperation experience indicates that joint supervision diploma projects of final-year students or PhD thesis of postgraduates is also very effective cooperation.
Shtykov V.F. The Arctic International University Centre.
3. Summary and conclusions
Our region needs the regional system of higher education enabling the people living in the Murmansk region to receive a high-quality education without going far from their home. The solution of this problem is quite possible by means of the integration of higher educational and research institutions in the Murmansk region.
The international block of the above-said regional system of higher education may be represented by a system of further training the students of the Euro-Arctic universities, having the Bachelor's Degree. The international cooperation experience of our University indicates, that joint supervision diploma projects of final-year students or PhD thesis of postgraduates is also very effective cooperation.
To my mind, one of the main problem on the way of establishing a common international system of higher education in the Euro-Arctic region is the absence of the joint management body which would coordinate actions of the Euro-Arctic region universities, offer recommendations concerning the most prospective directions of cooperation. Perhaps, it would seem natural that it is desirable to establish a special international fund and print bulletins controlled by the above-mentioned management body.
Therefore, my proposal is to recommend administrations of the Euro-Arctic regions of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Barents-Region Council to take effort for establishing the Arctic International University Centre with a special international fund and printing bulletin for coordination of actions of the Euro-Arctic region universities.
